Morristown Toxic Exposure Injury Attorney
Helping Construction Workers Injured on the Job in New Jersey
Busy construction sites are teeming with safety concerns. Most often, workers and those responsible for worker safety focus on the dangers of falls and falling objects, scaffold collapses or trench collapses, and injuries from large equipment such as forklifts and cranes. A common hazard at construction sites and other workplaces that people don’t often think about is the danger of illness or disease from toxic exposure. A wide array of chemicals, solvents, metals and other hazardous materials are involved in the building process. Exposure to these toxic substances can cause immediate severe injury or death, and long-term exposure can lead to chronic illnesses or deadly diseases.
Workers who get sickened or acquire disease may not at first link their condition to harmful toxic exposure. It can take intensive investigation and the help of industry and medical experts to uncover the source of the illness or injury. At the Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff, P.A., our Morristown toxic exposure injury attorney helps New Jersey construction workers recover compensation for their injuries when their employer or another contractor or third party has recklessly exposed them to toxic substances and put their health at risk.
What kinds of harm can toxic exposure cause?
Toxic exposure is responsible for a long list of injuries, illnesses, disorders and diseases. Any of the following conditions could be linked to toxic exposure on the job:
- Skin irritation, rashes
- Nausea, dizziness
- Irritation to the eyes, lungs, throat and mucosal linings
- Acid, lye or corrosive chemical burns
- Burn injuries from inhalation of chemical vapors; respiratory and lung damage
- Asthma, difficulty breathing
- Liver damage
- Reproductive system damage
- Nervous system disorders
- Brain damage
- Mesothelioma/asbestosis
- Silicosis
- Cancer
Toxic exposure illnesses are not limited to the construction industry but are present in dozens of industries and even office environments. For example, hospital employees, custodians, and auto repair mechanics are frequently exposed to a range of toxic substances on the job. Even an apartment building can be the source of toxic substances such as mold or lead paint. Lead poisoning is particularly damaging to young children and their developing brains, although it can cause cognitive impairment at any age, along with a host of other maladies, including abdominal pain, fatigue and hearing loss.
What does OSHA have to Say about Toxic Exposure in the Workplace?
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets standards and guidelines for safe and healthy workplaces. OSHA requires employers to post a notice of specific harmful chemicals that workers may be exposed to in the workplace, along with the potentially harmful effects of those chemicals. For certain substances, OSHA also publishes limits on acceptable levels of exposure. Employers are required to look for substitute chemicals to toxic substances, as well as other alternatives such as engineering solutions or frequent worker rotation to keep workers from being overly exposed to harmful chemicals. Employers should provide workers with adequate training and ventilated work areas and give them appropriate skin and breathing protection.
What if I’ve been Injured by Toxic Exposure at Work?
You may be entitled to workers’ compensation for your injury. In addition, you may have a claim against a negligent third-party responsible for the exposure, such as a construction crew, painting or cleaning crew, or another independent contractor at your workplace. Toxic exposure claims can be complicated to prove. Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney who will evaluate your claim and let you know whether you have a case. At the Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff, P.A., we offer a free initial consultation to assess your claim and only charge a fee after we are successful in recovering compensation for you.
Talk to Our Morristown Toxic Exposure Attorney
If you think you may have been injured due to toxic exposure, call the Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff, P.A. in Morristown, Newton or West New York. We serve clients throughout Morris County, Sussex County and Hudson County, New Jersey.
