What is a Hazardous Exposure?
Exposure to any kind of hazardous chemical or substance is considered to be hazardous exposure, particularly if the exposure results in an injury or some kind of medical condition. In some instances, the injury will become immediately apparent, while in other instances of hazardous exposure, it will not become apparent until a considerable amount of time has passed. The majority of harmful exposure takes place on the job.
It is possible to file a lawsuit against the company that was responsible for allowing an unsafe substance to be present in a working environment and causing injuries to those exposed. Due to the fact that exposure occurs most frequently in workplaces in which workers are working with hazardous substances in the first place, it frequently presents a problem for the worker’s compensation system. If you were exposed to a hazardous substance while on the job, you need to consult with an attorney who specializes in worker’s compensation.
What is Considered to Be Hazardous Exposure?
The ingestion of a substance, inhalation of a substance, or contact of a substance with the skin or eye are just some of the ways in which hazardous exposure can occur. The most common reasons for this are a leak from a container, a spill, improper safety equipment, or inadequate ventilation.
Hazardous substances and chemicals could cause detrimental health effects when exposed and could be:
- Carcinogenic or Cancerous
- Dangouers When Inhaled
OSHA has very specific regulations regarding how employees are allowed to be exposed to substances that are known to be hazardous to their health. There is a “safe limit” for many different substances, and any exposure that falls below that limit is considered to be acceptable. When that limit is exceeded, the exposure becomes hazardous and is against the law.
In the event that you are unsure, you should assume that any contact with such substances can be considered hazardous exposure if it results in harm. Consult with a legal professional to determine whether or not you have a case worth pursuing.
What Will Happen if I Was Exposed to a Toxic Substance at Work?
Employers are required by law to take reasonable precautions for their workers’ health and safety and to abide by all applicable laws. However, even if a company didn’t actually break the law, it might still be held accountable if they were negligent or didn’t have adequate control over how the substances were used. This may involve offering insufficient safety gear, having lax standards for safety training, or failing to enforce safety regulations.
However, if the injury occurred at work, you might not even need to establish fault. Most workplace injuries are covered by workers’ compensation laws, so you can get compensation without filing a lawsuit. That being said, it still helps to have a lawyer.
What if the Toxic Exposure Was Unrelated to My Job?
Pollution and chemical spills can sometimes cause damages that affect many more people than just the workers at the site, regardless of whether the spills were accidental or intentional. The effects may materialize all of a sudden, or they may not manifest for years. If you believe that something like this has occurred in your community or in your own life, you may have grounds for a major class action lawsuit that has the potential to recover financial compensation for all victims.
Our legal team is prepared to assist you in any way possible, regardless of the nature of the toxic substance to which you were exposed.
Contact The Brown Firm to schedule a free consultation if you were exposed to a toxic substance. You may be entitled to receive compensation for any losses that you suffered.
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