New York City workers’ compensation lawyer explains what to know
Exposure to hazardous chemicals often results in serious work-related injuries and illnesses. Whether it’s a one-time event involving dangerous chemicals or long-term exposure that results in chronic illnesses or injuries, hazardous chemicals can wreak havoc on workers.
When this happens in New York, sick or injured workers should receive workers’ compensation for their injury-related expenses. However, actually getting the financial support you need and deserve can be more difficult than you might suspect.
Our New York workers’ compensation attorneys understand the legal issues that often arise in work-related toxic exposure cases. That’s because our legal team at Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP has been helping sick and injured workers in New York for decades. Discover how we can help you. Contact our law firm today.
How common are hazardous chemical exposure injuries?
An estimated 13 million workers every year nationwide become sick or injured due to exposure to hazardous chemicals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Such hazardous chemicals include:
- Arsenic
- Asbestos
- Benzene
- Cadmium
- Lead
- Mercury
- Zinc
Sometimes, workers inhale hazardous chemicals. Other times, they come into contact with dangerous chemicals through exposure to the skin. Either way, hazardous chemical exposure is one of the leading causes of work-related injuries and illnesses in New York and nationwide.
Common injuries and illnesses due to hazardous chemicals
Work-related illnesses and injuries caused by exposure to dangerous chemicals can cover a wide range, including:
- Brain damage.
- Burns, rashes, and other skin conditions.
- Cancer.
- Asthma and other breathing disorders.
- Neurological disorders (damage to the central nervous system), including Parkinson’s disease.
- Vision loss.
- Hearing loss.
Anyone who suspects they have been exposed to dangerous chemicals at work should seek immediate medical attention, then talk to a lawyer right away.
What causes hazardous chemical injuries?
Workers are often exposed to hazardous chemicals on the job due to unsafe working conditions, including:
- Poor ventilation
- Improperly stored hazardous chemicals
- Lack of protective equipment
- Improper handling of dangerous chemicals
- Lack of safety training
Whatever the cause of your hazardous chemical injury or illness, make sure you fully understand your legal rights. Make sure you talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer right away.
How a New York workers’ compensation attorney can help
Don’t assume you will receive workers’ compensation benefits because you were exposed to dangerous chemicals on the job. Get an attorney on your side who knows the system and can help you navigate every step of the process.
Our experienced New York City workers’ compensation lawyers at the Law Offices of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP, know what’s at stake. That’s why we want to help you apply for benefits and explore all the possible legal options available to you.
Discover what we can do for you. Contact our law firm and schedule an appointment with a New York workers’ compensation attorney who puts your best interests first.