Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

Post modernization and the industrial revolution, chemicals have become an accepted and even necessary part of life. Many of the chemicals around us are beneficial and have been used to make our life more comfortable. However, as we march ahead with brazen indifference to our own mortality, we are crossing the limits of safety and moving into realms of high risk that ultimately leads to painful death.

Increased exposure to toxic chemicals can affect our internal organs and damage the kidneys, brain, liver, eyes and respiratory tract. Exposure to chemical toxicity can lead to acute diseases, which develop suddenly as a result of exposure to large amounts of toxic chemicals; or it can lead to chronic diseases which develop after prolonged exposure to relatively low doses of toxins. Cancer, asthma, brain damage, skin diseases, neurological damage and developmental disabilities are some of the results of exposure to toxic chemicals.

Exposure to toxic chemicals may occur in a number of situations. Some chemicals like paints and benzene are absorbed through the skin; others like asbestos fibers, lead and fumes may be inhaled through the nose and mouth; still others like pesticides and other chemicals may be taken in by mouth.

Pollution, contamination, industrial byproducts and toxic wastes can lead to exposure. People working with pesticides, paints, solvents, lead and deadly molds (to name a few) are at high risk of developing diseases related to extreme exposure to chemicals.

People who have been exposed to chemical toxicity due to the nature of their work are eligible to receive worker’s compensation under special rules. This provides minimal income compensation and limited medical coverage to employees.

Additionally, toxic chemical exposure attorneys may also pursue third-party occupational disease lawsuits. These cases are fought against third parties or manufacturers who caused the exposure due to their negligence or lack of compliance. Through this, disabled workers can collect huge compensation for medical care, lost income potential, pain and loss of quality of life.

Cases that involve toxic chemical exposure are often very complicated. To resolve such cases to the satisfaction of the victim, lawyers have to establish difficult issues of cause and prove that the responsibility for the disease or condition lies with the third party. Of course, the opposition will be working throughout to corrode the credibility of the victim and deny them any compensation.

So, if you work in an area or job where chances of contamination are high, you need to do two things: get an urgent medical check up and contact a toxic chemical exposure attorney.