Construction Accident Lawyer Houston, TX
There are many obvious dangers that workers are at risk of being injured by on construction sites. However, one such hazard that many people don’t always consider is the high-risk workers have of being exposed to toxic chemicals.
Although there is always the chance of a large disaster, such as an explosion, the larger risk comes from every day exposure from the substances that workers used as they perform their job duties. Many of these products are so toxic, they can leave workers with long-term or permanent medical conditions.
Hazards
For decades, many construction sites used asbestos and other hazardous substances that have left many workers with fatal conditions, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma cancer. These materials are no longer being used in new construction, however, many older structures that are being torn down or renovated are still filled with these materials and can still cause dangerous medical injury to workers. In addition to asbestos, other common toxic substances construction workers are exposed to include chemical dust, glues, lead, and solvents.
Even if workers are aware of the potential chemical dangers that exist on a site and try to protect themselves, there is still high risk of exposure. These toxic chemicals can enter a worker’s system in a number of ways, including breathing them into the body, ingesting them, and touching them. It is this prolonged and silent exposure that results in these fatal diseases. The material toxins are gradually absorbed, ending up in the worker’s blood, resulting in serious medical issues.
Tragically, by the time symptoms of exposure finally appear, the worker is often suffering from significant illness or injury. In fact, many times a worker initially things they are having an allergic reaction to something and does not make the correlation with their exposure to the chemicals. Common symptoms of exposure include:
- Coughing
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Increased irritability
- Irritated eyes
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
If the worker who is suffering from these symptoms does not get treatment right away for these symptoms, he or she can end up developing cancer or some other chronic condition.
Is This Workers’ Comp?
When our law firm writes about worker injury or occupational disease, we are usually discussing workers’ compensation cases. However, when it comes to chemical exposure, workers’ compensation benefits may not be enough to cover the extensive long-term medical treatments the worker will require, as well as the pain and suffering their condition or disease causes them.
An attorney can help the victim – or their family if the victim dies from their condition – pursue additional compensation from a third-party if it can be proven that party was negligent, and that negligence caused the victim’s injury. The attorney must prove that the third-party failed to make a reasonable effort to protect workers and that the worker had no idea the hazard existed or would exist in the future.
If you or a family member has suffered injury or illness from a chemical exposure on a construction site, contact a construction accident lawyer Houston, TX relies on at John K. Zaid & Associates today who can help you get the justice you deserve.
