A number of different industries work with potentially harmful chemicals or pollutants on a daily basis. In a perfect world, employers would take all the necessary precautions to protect their workers from exposure to toxic fumes or dangerous chemicals, but that’s not always the case. Even when preventative measures are in place, accidents can still happen and workers can be injured by direct exposure or inhaling dangerous fumes. Today, we explore your rights if you are injured on the job by chemicals or inhalants.
Types Of Workplace Chemical Injuries
Injuries from chemical exposure can happen in a number of different ways at work. Sometimes chemicals are so strong that they can burn through protective gear, while other times an incorrect mixing of chemicals can lead to the production of toxic fumes. We’ve also dealt with clients whose employers did not keep areas properly ventilated, exposing the workers to dangerous concentrations of toxic fumes.
Some industries and employees who are exposed to dangerous chemicals on a regular basis include:
- Painters
- Chemical production companies
- Miners
- Custodian/Cleaning Services
- Manufacturers
- Oil Refinery Workers
- Gasoline-related industries
- Steel workers
- Lab technicians
- Farmers
- Firefighters
You may think that chemical exposure is only limited to individuals who work closely with toxic chemicals, but that’s not the case. Office workers may be exposed if cleaning companies tasked with cleaning the office after hours mix the wrong chemicals or if areas aren’t well ventilated. Also, if you work in an older office or you routinely work on old buildings, asbestos may be present, which can cause health problems if inhaled.
Workers’ Compensation For Chemical Exposure
You are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you are injured on the job due to direct burns or indirect exposure to dangerous chemicals. If you have suffered a direct burn, the first thing you should do is report your injury to your superiors. They should have some first aid supplies or chemical neutralization kits on hand to help prevent any further damage.
Next, you’ll want to have the injury assessed by a doctor. Once a doctor has examined the injury, get in contact with a workers’ compensation lawyer. They will help build a case and submit your claim to the insurance company so that all you need to do is focus on getting healthy.
You can also file for workers’ compensation if you are diagnosed with a condition later in life that was likely a result of chemical exposure at work. If you’ve been diagnosed with asbestos exposure or a lung condition that may have been brought upon due to chemical exposure at work, reach out to Hey Workers.
These cases are harder to win because you need to prove that your job likely contributed to the onset of the health condition, but with experienced lawyers and a full medical report on your side, you are well on your way to winning the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how Hey Workers can get you compensation after a chemical exposure on the job, reach out to our office today.
