Common Chemical Exposure Injuries
Workers that deal with dangerous materials or work in a dangerous environment should always be extra careful to follow safety guidelines and protocols. Hazardous chemicals, and the mishandling of them, can cause serious injuries that may severely impact the health of the worker. Remember that if you are injured while on the job, in any of these following scenarios or otherwise, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries sustained in the workplace.
The most common kind of chemical exposure injury is that to skin and comes from some of this material coming into contact with the skin. In mild cases, irritation or inflammation could occur, but if the chemical is potent enough, burns or neurological damage could be caused as well. This is why protection is always used to cover the skin when workers are handling volatile materials.
Secondly, respiratory diseases can be caused by chemical exposure if too much of the chemical is breathed in or if the worker has prolonged exposure to the vapors from a chemical over an extended period of time. Minorly, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath can sometimes occur, but more severe afflictions could be caused if the vapors are strong enough to burn the inside of one’s respiratory tract.
Finally, chemicals can be very harmful if they are accidentally ingested or if they come into contact with one’s blood. Although these are uncommon scenarios, it is very possible that a dangerous chemical could come into contact with an open wound and cause toxic damage to the individual. If this happens, one should seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Chemical exposure injuries are some of the most serious and if they are sustained in the workplace, that employee can seek compensation for the injuries and related health problems. If your employer refuses this of you, you should file a workers’ compensation lawsuit against them to see this benefit restored to you and funding granted. To learn about how we at the Franco Law Firm can guide you through this process, please call (813) 872-0929 to schedule a free consultation with us today.