Toxic Exposure Attorney Serving Florida

People at a Higher Risk of Toxic Exposure

Specific individuals are at an increased risk of being exposed to toxic chemicals than others. Mainly, people encountering these dangerous substances work in certain job industries.

The most common people at risk of toxic exposure include:

1. Miners
2. Sanitation workers
3. Construction workers
4. Oil rig workers
5. Medical providers
6. Welder
7. Refinery employees
8. Manufacturing staff
9. Commercial painters
10. Farmers
11. Maritime employees
12. Auto repair employees

Other groups of people can also come in contact with toxic substances and sustain an injury or illness. If you were exposed to a dangerous chemical and now require medical treatment, you should contact Zoeller Law immediately to learn about your legal options.

Common Injuries and Conditions Caused by Toxic Exposure

Exposure to toxic chemicals, whether through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact, can result in a range of illnesses, injuries, cancers, and other medical problems. The most common include:

1. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
2. Mesothelioma
3. Damage to lungs and other organs
4. Lung-related diseases
5. Leukemia
6. Lymphoma
7. Lead poisoning
8. Kidney cancer
9. Chemical burns
10. Brain damage
11. Vision loss
12. Asthma and other respiratory issues
13. Kidney failure
14. Rashes
15. Throat injuries
16. Nerve damage
17. Birth defects
18. Female reproductive problems

Any complications from exposure to toxic chemicals can have long-term consequences. Some people become disabled from their injuries or suffer ongoing symptoms. Others recover entirely from their physical injuries but end up with psychological trauma from the incident. Depression and anxiety are also common after scenarios involving toxic exposure.

Common Types of Toxic Exposure

Harmful substances typically involved in exposure injuries and diseases are:

1. Asbestos
2. Benzene
3. Toluene
4. Ammonia
5. Cadmium
6. Hydrogen sulfide
7. Carbon monoxide
8. Welding fumes

Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas with a strong, pungent odor. It can become a hazard in high concentrations. It’s a naturally occurring gas found in volcanoes, well water, manure pits, sewers, and gas wells, but it can also be found in various occupations. Hydrogen sulfide commonly exists at industrial plants, oil rigs, and other areas where gas and oil refining occurs.

Prolonged exposure can lead to a range of symptoms, such as:

1. Irritability
2. Eye irritation
3. Respiratory problems
4. Headaches
5. Dizziness
6. Insomnia

Working in confined spaces, such as tunnels or manholes, or in an area with poor ventilation, can cause this gas to build up in high concentrations.

Toluene Exposure

Toluene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor that vaporizes upon exposure to room temperature air. This chemical can be found in everyday products used at home or work. Examples include:

1. Nail polish
2. Paint
3. Printing ink
4. Adhesives
5. Varnish
6. Metal cleaner

Exposure often occurs on construction sites, in auto repair shops, and in woodworking facilities. The skin could absorb the chemical, or you could accidentally ingest or inhale it.

Symptoms vary depending on how much you are exposed to toluene. The warning signs of short-term exposure include:

• Dizziness
• Cracked or dry skin
• Nose, throat, and eye irritation
• Anxiety or confusion
• Headaches

The warning signs of long-term exposure are:

1. Trouble sleeping
2. Slow reaction
3. Feet or hand numbness
4. Pregnancy loss
5. Damage to a female’s reproductive system
6. Tiredness

Asbestos Exposure

Workers in the cement, construction, and textile industries typically use asbestos while performing their job-related tasks. When the microscopic particles that form from these minerals are inhaled, they pose the risk of causing damage to the lungs, cancer, as well as other related conditions.

Benzene Exposure

Benzene is a colorless and sweet-smelling liquid used in manufacturing and industrial processes. It’s often found in refineries and petrochemical plants in large quantities, and commonly used by companies while manufacturing dyes, plastics, rubber, and pesticides.

A person could ingest or inhale the chemical, or suffer exposure from direct \skin contact. Smokers may also be exposed to the chemical through cigarette smoke, though its low quantity does not suggest it to be a cause for concern. With this said, prolonged and long-term exposure to benzene is dangerous and can lead to different forms of blood cancer, such as leukemia.

Cadmium Exposure

Cadmium is an element found in the Earth’s crust. Its most common uses are as a pigment in coatings or paints and electrode components in alkaline batteries.

Exposure can cause severe diseases, such as prostate cancer and lung cancer. Individuals likely to come in contact with cadmium include:

1. Landfill workers
2. Welders
3. Waste collectors
4. Battery manufacturers
5. Painters
6. Employees at recycling plants

Ammonia Exposure

Anhydrous ammonia is a colorless gas with a strong odor. Its most common use is for creating agricultural fertilizers. High concentrations can cause irritation and burns. Symptoms that indicate dangerous exposure to ammonia include:

• Throat, eye, nose, and mouth irritation
• Burn injuries to the skin
• Severe dehydration
• Difficulty breathing

If ingested, ammonia can cause corrosion of the stomach, mouth lining, or throat.

Toxic Exposure from the Environment

You don’t have to work in a high-risk industry to encounter toxic chemicals. Environmental exposure commonly causes injuries and illnesses to the general public. Water and air pollution, oil spills, and a range of other factors can lead to toxic exposure.

Oil Spills

An explosion, fire, or catastrophic accident at an offshore oil rig can dump significant amounts of oil into the ocean. The chemicals found on these rigs can make their way into waterways used for drinking water and cause harm to those who ingest it. A person who ingests contaminated water, inhales toxic fumes from the explosion, or directly contacts the harmful substances with their body can suffer injury, disease, or death.

Contaminated Water

Various industries near a town’s water supply can contaminate drinking water with the toxic chemicals used on the job site. Dangerous substances can make their way into rivers, streams, and other bodies of water. If someone drinks water from their sink faucet, they could ingest toxins and bacteria that damage internal organs, cause debilitating symptoms, and cause cancer to develop.

You probably suffered different losses from the exposure. The compensation you receive could cover these losses, such as:

1. Medical expenses
2. Pain and suffering
3. Lost wages
4. Lost earning capacity
5. Emotional distress
6. Damage to personal property
7. Loss of enjoyment of life
8. Physical impairment or disfigurement

If you choose to file a lawsuit, you could also seek punitive damages. This financial award is meant to punish the defendant instead of compensating the victim for their losses. You must show the jury clear and convincing evidence of the at-fault party’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct to receive punitive damages.