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Exposure to Toxic Substances / Chemical Burns Lawyer in New York

Construction workers come in contact with a variety of chemical hazards and toxic substances in the average workday, both visible and invisible. Toxic liquids, gases, vapors, fumes, and particles can cause serious and fatal worker injuries, including painful chemical burns. If exposure to toxic substances at work injured you or a loved one in New York, contact us to discuss your rights. You could be eligible for compensation.

Why Choose Us?

  • We have a wide range of experience representing clients in New York City, including serving as lead counsel for 9/11 rescue and recovery workers.
  • We care about the well-being of our clients and the community, serving as general counsel for the Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York.
  • We work hard to achieve the best results possible for our clients, having secured over $2 billion dollars in settlements and verdicts over the last 10 years.
  • We believe in helping our clients in any way we can, including attorney’s fees, as we do not charge for our services unless we secure a recovery.

Why You Need a Lawyer

If your employer failed to prevent your injury or illness, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. In New York, an injury claim generally will yield a better financial recovery than a typical insurance claim.  If a third party caused your damages, you may have the right to seek recovery through multiple sources.  Claims against third-parties may involve product manufacturers, coworkers, or property owners. A lawyer can help you identify the liable party and collect evidence of negligence.

Unfortunately, insurance companies do not want claimants to receive maximum compensation. They want to minimize damages and may even try to dismiss valid worker injury claims. Hiring a lawyer can ensure that an insurance company does not convince you to accept a settlement that is far less than the true value of your claim. A lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement while you focus on healing, and if a settlement offer is not enough, your attorney can take your toxic exposure case to court in pursuit of better compensation.

Common Exposure-Related Injuries and Illnesses

Chemical spills, toxic vapors and hazardous substances in building materials can compromise the health of  workers. Exposure to occupational hazardous substances can harm construction workers in numerous ways, resulting in immediate symptoms or long-term negative health effects. Construction workers face health risks, such as:

  • Chemical burns;
  • Eye injuries;
  • Skin irritation or rashes;
  • Respiratory problems;
  • Asbestos-related illnesses (including mesothelioma);
  • Birth defects;
  • Organ disorders or failure; and
  • Nervous system disorders.

Some work place injuries, such as chemical burns, can develop right away. Others may take months or years after the date of exposure to appear. Mesothelioma, for example, takes on average 10 to 20 years to develop after initial asbestos exposure. New York courts often apply  exceptions to the statute of limitations for cases involving injuries or illnesses that take a long time to develop.

Who Is Liable?

Although it may not be possible to completely eliminate toxic substances from construction zones, it is possible to protect workers from harm. All construction companies should provide proper personal safety equipment and employ exposure prevention techniques to reasonably prevent injuries to their workers. Failure to fulfill these duties, will result in construction companies, product manufacturers, and property owners being held liable for chemical burn and other exposure related injuries.

Contact Us Today

If your lawyer can prove that a contractor or property owner failed to provide you with safe working conditions resulting in your injury or illness, you could receive compensation for past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. A lawyer may also be able to negotiate a higher compensation claim settlement on your behalf. For more information about toxic substance exposure case in New York City, contact our law firm to request a free consultation.