The Big Apple is a bustling hub of industry and activity. And while organizations are legally required to keep their workplaces safe for the sake of their employees and the public, these rules aren’t always followed properly.
Both workers and the public can be exposed to toxic chemicals or substances, leading to their sustaining severe injuries and/or chronic health conditions.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to toxic chemical exposure, please know that you’re not alone. Knowledgeable New York chemical exposure lawyers can ensure you get the compensation you need to cover medical bills and more. Contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers today at 1-516-342-2200 for a free consultation and so much more.
What Are Toxic Chemical Exposure Incidents?
Toxic chemicals are chemicals or substances that can have adverse health effects when inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with the skin. Unfortunately, many industries routinely use toxic chemicals in substances for manufacturing, processing, and other purposes.
Because of this, workers and others may be exposed to toxic substances in a variety of ways. Common incidents of toxic chemical exposures include but are not limited to:
- Toxic mold exposure. This can occur due to maintenance neglect (in apartments or other landlord-owned buildings) and/or construction defects. When inhaled, toxic mold can result in serious respiratory and other potentially fatal injuries.
- Chemical spills, which can occur at industrial plants, construction sites, when tanker trucks leak or are involved in auto accidents, and in many other situations.
- Workplace toxin incidents. These involve volatile organic compounds (VOCs), asbestos, heavy metals, fuels, solvents, and/or other substances.
- Lead poisoning. These incidents occur when individuals are exposed to lead-based paint commonly found in plumbing pipes, residential buildings, and in the handling of foreign-made toys.
- Toxic drug exposure. Some drugs may be created with toxic substances or through inappropriate processes. Pharmaceuticals such as Celebrex, Vioxx, Fen-Phen, and others can lead to serious side effects and even death.
- Exposure to household products like paint or fire extinguishers that have been defectively made.
- JUUL e-cigarette exposure.
Because there are so many ways to be exposed to toxic chemicals, many don’t realize that these chemicals are the source(s) of their medical symptoms until some time later. Experienced legal representatives can help you determine if your injuries are indeed due to toxic chemical exposure, as well as help you identify which, if any, party is responsible or liable for damages.
To learn more now at no charge, call Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 1-516-342-2200 or visit us online.
What Kinds of Chemicals Cause Injuries?
Almost all chemicals used in manufacturing and construction processes can cause injuries, as can numerous chemicals found outside these industries when they are improperly used and/or ingested.
Examples of commonly available chemicals that can cause personal injuries include but are not limited to:
- Chlorine
- Asbestos
- Ammonia
- Lead paint
- Diacetyl (a flavored food additive)
- Oil refinery fumes
- Pesticides, herbicides, and/or insecticides
- Silica dust
- Welding rod fumes
- E-cigarette chemicals
If you aren’t sure whether your exposure to one or more of these chemicals has caused your injuries or chronic medical condition(s), contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers right away at 1-516-342-2200. Our lawyers have extensive experience assisting people with toxic chemical exposure cases and can tell you whether one or more chemicals may be responsible for your medical issues.
Don’t wait! Start protecting your physical, emotional, and financial future today.
Injuries From Exposure to Toxic Chemicals in New York
Just as there are many different toxic chemicals you may be exposed to, there are many potential injuries you may experience as a result.
For example, general contractors and construction employees may work with or around certain toxic chemicals on worksites. Even if safety gear is worn and safety protocols are followed, they may not be able to guarantee personal safety.
Some of the most common injuries from exposure to toxic substances and/or chemicals include but are not limited to:
- Respiratory issues, such as pneumonia, scarring of lung tissue, lung cancer, and more
- Brain damage or other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Nerve damage, including paralysis
- Infertility
- Organ damage and/or failure
- Various cancers
- Chemical burns, ranging from minor to severe
- Hearing and/or vision loss
- Birth defects
Certain toxic exposure-related injuries can affect victims for the rest of their lives. If you or a loved one has been exposed to toxic chemicals while on the job, or in the performance of work-related duties, and suffered injuries as a result, you may have grounds for a workers’ compensation lawsuit.
If, however, you are injured by toxic chemical exposure outside of a workplace context, you may still have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit once you identify the person or party liable for the injuries sustained. Call Schwartzapfel Lawyers now to find out more at no charge! Simply dial 1-516-342-2200 and allow us the honor and privilege of fighting for you™ every step of the way.
Liability for Toxic Chemical Exposure Cases
Toxic chemical exposure cases may involve multiple potentially liable parties. Liability for toxic chemical exposure cases affects:
- Who you can legally sue
- Who you may recover damages from
- Who may be found to be ultimately at fault for the accident that led to your injuries and/or medical condition(s)
Generally, the court determines liability by:
- Examining who was responsible for the use of the toxic chemicals in question
- Whether the person who sustained injuries was responsible for using the chemicals properly
- Whether the person who sustained injuries could have reasonably foreseen the danger of using those chemicals
The specifics of these and other elements affect the damages you may ultimately recover, as well as the likelihood of your toxic chemical exposure lawsuit succeeding overall.
Because this can be a lengthy and legally complex process, you should contact trusted chemical exposure lawyers in New York at the earliest opportunity. Doing so will not only give you peace of mind but will also maximize your chances of recovering financially.
Dial 1-516-342-2200 and allow Schwartzapfel Lawyers the privilege of fighting for you™ now!
Compensation for Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may recover different forms of compensation. As well, different parties may be held liable for your damages.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation cases are those that involve an employer improperly exposing an employee to dangerous chemicals. Notably, to be held liable for damages, the employer in question must also have been negligent in their duties to their employee(s).
For example, if a construction site or contractor does not inform its employees that unusually hazardous chemicals are present on-site, yet requires the workers to carry out their daily jobs without reasonable modifications, they may be held liable for damages if those workers sustain injuries due to chemical exposure, either during and/or after the fact.
You may also qualify for a workers’ compensation lawsuit if your employer tries to refuse or deny your initial workers’ comp claim for one reason or another. As experienced workers’ compensation attorneys, Schwartzapfel Lawyers can assist with this and more. Contact us at 1-516-342-2200 right away to start recovering now.
With a successful workers’ compensation case, you could recover damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of income from time spent away from work to recover from your injuries
- Loss of ability, if your injuries are particularly debilitating or have resulted in some permanent form of paralysis
- Loss of life enjoyment, if your injuries prevent you from engaging in certain activities
- And more!
Personal Injuries
Even if you were injured by chemical exposure outside of the workplace, you might still have grounds for a lawsuit.
For example, if you move into an apartment maintained by a landlord and subsequently develop respiratory issues from exposure to mold in the walls, the landlord may be held liable for damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
For such a lawsuit to succeed, you’ll need to prove that:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of care
- The at-fault party breached that duty knowingly and/or ignorantly
- You sustained injuries as a result of that negligence
Personal injury chemical exposure cases can occur in other situations as well, such as:
- Exposure to toxic fumes from a nearby manufacturing plant while walking on the sidewalk
- Exposure to lead or other chemicals from using old pipes as drinking water sources
- Medical product use leading to debilitating health conditions later on
- And more
Should your personal injury case be successful, you could recover damages similar to those received in successful workers’ compensation claims. Note, too, that you may recover damages for past and future medical bills, lost income, as well as other damages.
Tort Cases
You may also recover damages through group tort lawsuits. Group tort lawsuits are joint lawsuits that involve many victims of the same root cause or negligence.
For example, an occupational group toxic tort lawsuit involves many employees banding together to sue employers or manufacturers who are negligent in their duties to workplace safety. Group tort cases can involve significant payouts for all victims involved.
However, it can be difficult to get a group tort lawsuit started by yourself. Moreover, tort lawsuits almost always prove to be long and involved affairs. As a result, your best bet to recover damages is to contact knowledgeable lawyers with plenty of experience handling tort toxic chemical exposure cases, like Schwartzapfel Lawyers.
How Toxic Chemical Exposure Lawyers Can Help
The right legal team can make a major difference in your case and the damages you recover. When you contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers, we can help you by:
- Providing sound legal counsel throughout the process, start to finish. We can tell you who may be held liable for your injuries, whether your lawsuit has a good chance of succeeding, and more.
- Gathering evidence on your behalf, like medical notes, police reports, and more.
- Helping you through the court process if your case goes to court.
- Presenting evidence compellingly in court.
- Negotiating with insurance companies.
- And so much more!
Contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers Today
Regardless of your case’s specifics, remember that you don’t need to pursue compensation for your medical bills alone. If you believe you have grounds for a chemical exposure lawsuit, contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers today.
As experienced New York City chemical exposure lawyers, we’re well-equipped and ready to assist you in every way possible. We’ll fight for you day and night to make sure you recover the damages you are entitled to. Contact us today at 1-516-342-2200 for a free case evaluation, general consultation, and/or the answers to all of your toxic chemical exposure questions.
Sources:
Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You™™
What You Know Can Help You – An Introduction to Toxic Substances | NY State Department of Health
