Workplace accidents aren’t always physical. Some of them can produce chemical exposures and cause damage to employees. This can happen immediately or over time, depending on the chemical ingested. When working with chemicals, every workplace should offer Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to avoid or minimize damage.
The recent explosion at a commercial building in Boyle Heights sent a black column of smoke into the air. A shelter in place was sent for the immediate area, and multiple alerts were sent to the wider area informing them to stay away from Boyle Heights. People were advised to limit exposure by staying inside, closing windows, wearing respirators, and running an air purifier if available.
Our lawyers at Vaziri Law are dedicated to helping workers and their families fight for their rights and get them the compensation they deserve. Reach out today to discuss your case and explore your legal options. We offer free consultations in multiple languages.
What is Chemical Exposure?
Chemical exposure happens when someone comes into contact with dangerous chemicals. Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause respiratory illnesses, skin ailments, eye damage, cancer, and can lead to death. While it’s an employer’s responsibility to keep their workplaces safe, workers can sometimes become injured either physically or physiologically.
Common Chemical Exposures
The following are chemicals that can cause damage if exposed to them.
- Benzene
- Asbestos
- Silicia Dust
- Lead
- Ammonia
- Hydrochloric and Sulfuric Acid
- Pesticides
- Chlorine Gas
- Solvents
- Welding Fumes
- Formaldehyde
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How to Detect Chemical Exposure
While many people experience symptoms, confirming chemical exposure requires testing. Many of the symptoms of chemical exposure can masquerade as other illnesses or medical conditions. The severity of the symptoms depends on various factors such as:
- Chemical Toxicity: The toxicity of the chemical determines if the effects are immediate or non-existent. This also depends on the concentration of the chemical and how it is ingested.
- Exposure: The length and type of exposure to a chemical can also affect how the symptoms will manifest, if they do at all.
- Biological Factors: Your overall body composition can affect how different chemicals will affect your body.
Common Short-Term Symptoms
Common short-term symptoms include:
- Burning
- Bloody Phlegm
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Rash
- Blurred Vision
Common Long-Term Symptoms
An extended exposure to hazardous chemicals can lead to various health problems later in life. Some of the more common symptoms include:
- Organ Damage
- Cancer
- Respiratory Ailments
- Birth Defects
- Infertility
- Weakened Immune Systems
- Delayed Child Development
If your loved one passed away due to complications from chemical exposure, a California wrongful death attorney can help you explore all available legal options.
Environmental Exposure
Environmental exposure harms more than the immediate vicinity. It harms entire communities. Poor air quality, poisoned water, and other environmental harm can lead communities to develop a case against companies and factories.
Prime Example: AI Data Centers
AI data centers are notoriously built in low-income communities that already face unhealthy air quality, groundwater threats, and high concentrations of hazardous waste. Communities all around California are concerned about the cost of AI in their backyards. Like many other factories, these data centers can cause damage over time to the workers and communities.
The speed at which AI data centers are doing so is alarming for the average Californian.
Respiratory Damage
Data centers use diesel generators, which create greenhouse gases. People who live near these data centers have reported an increase in respiratory diseases. It is estimated that the current rate of emissions would be the equivalent of 5-10 million additional cars on the road annually.
Based on this current trend, AI data centers will be the cause of 36% of asthma and other respiratory related deaths by 2030.
Water Damage
It’s no secret that California suffers from chronic droughts. It’s also no secret that AI data centers consume a lot of water. In Monterey Park, the community recently halted the construction of an AI data center that would use 500 million gallons of water annually.
However, that is not the only concern when it comes to water. In Georgia, a community living near a Meta data center have reported that their water is now undrinkable, and they must get clean water shipped to their homes to eat, bathe, and drink without the fear of diseases such as hepatitis A, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and polio, to name a few.
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Injury Liability
Legal liability for any injury that stems from toxic chemical exposure can fall under various parties. Before filing a suit, victims must show that their exposure to the toxic substance caused their injury and that the responsible parties were aware of the danger.
Negligence
When companies are aware of the dangers they release into the communities, the people and their attorneys must prove the following:
- The defendant had the duty to keep you safe
- The defendant failed to do so by negligent or reckless actions
- You were injured because of their negligence
Who Can I Sue?
That depends on the circumstances surrounding your case. Meeting with a chemical exposure accident lawyer in California can help you narrow down the parties responsible for the damage to you and your community. The following are some of the common parties a chemical exposure accident attorney can help you file a claim against:
- Retailers
- Manufacturers
- Suppliers
- Management companies
- Contractors
- Property owners
- Employer
Why Hire a Chemical Exposure Accident Lawyer?
Hiring an attorney has more benefits in a case against corporations and the government.
Navigate Legal Paperwork
Filing a claim against multiple entities is daunting. Most people don’t have the legal knowledge to navigate filing a claim correctly and filing a claim against the correct parties. In many cases, these companies have dedicated teams of lawyers that will fight tooth and nail to preserve company assets. An individual versus an entire boardroom of lawyers is not a situation most people would like to find themselves in.
Hiring an attorney alleviates that stress. They have the legal knowledge to bypass these daunting trials with ease. This allows you to focus on recovery and spending time with your family.
Counsel
If you have any questions throughout the process, your attorney can answer them with ease. We at the Vaziri Law personal injury law firm have over 200 years of combined experience, and our legal expertise is readily available to you.
Experts On Call
Chemical exposure cases can be difficult to prove due to the reliance on scientific research to determine that changes in the environment were a direct result of the releasing of toxic chemicals. Chemical exposure accident lawyers in California have access to various teams of experts in different fields. They help you find the expert help you and your community needs to hold these companies accountable.
FAQ
How Long Do I Have to File a Case?
In California, the people have two years from discovery of the exposure or when they should’ve been made aware of the exposure. However, due to the nature of chemical exposure, it’s often not that simple.
Exceptions
There are a few factors that can influence the time you have to file a claim. Speak with a chemical exposure lawyer in California to learn more about your case. If children were harmed, information was intentionally hidden from you, or you were exposed to chemicals multiple times or constantly; this can affect your deadline to file.
What If I Can’t Provide All My Medical Information?
That is fine. Damage over time isn’t always recorded well. Bouts of nausea and headaches aren’t often recorded by medical professionals.
However, if you have records of more serious illnesses or conditions, get your medical records and submit them to an attorney to see if you have a case.
What Can I Recover in a Case?
In California, an injured party can recover all their past and future medical expenses and their past and future income. They can get compensation for any physical pain, as well as emotional and mental distress. They can also be awarded punitive damages as an extra bonus if the court finds that the offending party acted recklessly towards the injured party.
How Can I Protect Myself from Chemical Exposure at Work?
In many cases, the company you work at must follow OSHA regulations to maintain a safe working environment. You may be required to wear PPE such as gloves, respirators, and other protective gear. When working with biohazards, adhere to the disposal, maintenance, and handling rules to evade exposure.
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
Our lawyers at Vaziri Law work on a contingency fee. This means we won’t charge you unless we win. Typically, this means 30% of your settlement, but each case is different. Speak to an attorney to learn more.
If you need more information, follow Vaziri Law on social media or give us a call to schedule a free consultation!
