New Jersey Chemical Exposure Lawyers
Fighting for New Jersey Workers Hurt by Toxic Exposure
An estimated 50,000 U.S. workers die and 190,000 fall ill every year from work-related diseases caused by exposure to toxic chemicals according to a 2019 AFL-CIO report on worker safety and health. The diseases caused by exposure are serious and can be chronic, disabling or fatal.Cancer and disease of vital organs such as the kidneys, lungs, stomach, brain, heart and nervous and reproductive systems have all been linked to repeated exposure to toxic substances on the job.
Tens of thousands of chemicals are in use today across U.S. worksites. These hazardous substances can enter a person’s body by skin absorption, inhalation or ingestion–completely without their knowledge. Workers come into contact with chemicals, toxic and hazardous substances sometimes early in the chemical’s lifecycle when little information about their toxicity is known– at varying strengths and durations of time. Even with personal protective equipment to guard against skin contact, inhalation and ingestion, toxic residue can travel home via workers’ clothing, equipment, skin and hair.
Who is affected? High-risk occupations are agriculture, domestic cleaning, hair and nail salons, home repairs, building construction, and chemical manufacturing. While the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does regulate toxic substances, not all chemicals are covered, nor are all workers afforded protection, including firefighters, teachers and farm and agricultural workers.
The Top Dangerous Workplace Chemicals
The State of New Jersey Department of Health Right to Know Fact Sheet lists chemicals, their health hazards, exposure limits and other critical information regarding carcinogens, corrosives, flammables, mutagens (can change DNA which can result in mutation), reactives (can be explosive) and teratogens (can cause embryo malformation).
Some of the most hazardous substances in New Jersey’s workplaces include:
- Arsenic
- Asbestos
- Asphalt fumes
- Benzene
- Beryllium
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Diacetyl
- Diesel exhaust
- Ethylene oxide
- Formaldehyde
- Hexavalent chromium
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Lead
- Mercury
- Metalworking fluids
- Methylene chloride
- Silica
- Toluene
The Major Types of Toxic Injuries
Long-term and even short-lived exposure to chemicals and other toxic substances at work can cause serious adverse health effects. The most critical are:
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Neurological
- Gastrointestional
- Hepatitic–liver damage
- Renal–kidney damage
- Teratogenic–abnormalities, mental retardation, congenital disorders
- Miscarriage or infertility
- Burns
- Skin rashes, skin damage and eye damage
Worker’s Toxic Injury Claim
A toxic injury work claim may involve asthma, a chronic illness, permanent skin or lung damage or any of the above health issues due to exposure to asbestos, ammonia, arsenic, benzene, gasoline, chloroform, formaldehyde, fuel oils, mercury, lead, smoke, uranium, zinc or other toxic substances.
If your toxic injury, respiratory condition, chronic ailment, or other debilitating health problem occurred on the job contact the personal injury attorneys at Keefe Law Firm. All injured workers should be covered for the medical treatment and wage loss benefits they deserve.
Keefe Law Firm can help you recover:
- Current and ongoing medical costs
- Lost wages and future income
- Damages for pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life from a permanent injury, disability or other factors
We understand that many families depend on the income of an injured worker we are dedicated to winning the benefits and compensation you deserve.
Keefe Law Firm Settlements and Verdicts
Toxic Chemical and Hazardous Material Injuries FAQs
What is the New Jersey Right-to-Know Act?
The New Jersey Worker and Community Right-To-Know Act (NJRTK) mandates that public and private employers provides workers with information about any hazardous substances used at their jobsite. Public employees can access information about these chemicals in their Right to Know central file.If you have any concerns about hazardous materials in your workplace, visit the Right to Know website.
What Should I Do if I Was Exposed to Toxic Chemicals at Work
To protect yourself physically, legally and financially after being exposed to a hazardous substance at work:
- Go to your doctor, emergency room or other health care provider immediately.
- Make sure you get and keep all medical documentation, including expenses
- Report your exposure to a supervisor immediately and be sure to detail when, where, how and for how long you were exposed. Follow up in writing.
- Get the names of anyone who may have witnessed your exposure and document them
Can I Sue for Chemical Exposure?
If you’ve been exposed to hazardous substances on the job or were injured or became ill due to that exposure, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. The outcome of your case will depend on the specific chemical, the facts surrounding your exposure and your resulting health problems.There are some hurdles to a successful toxic substances workplace lawsuit. You must prove you were exposed to the particular chemical and that this exposure caused your injuries and/or illness. An experienced personal injury attorney will explain this to you in detail.
How Much Time Do I have to File a Toxic Exposure Lawsuit?
The ability to sue the responsible party for workplace exposure to a dangerous chemical depends almost entirely on the statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is a law that defines the period of time a plaintiff has to file a legal claim or lawsuit. The clock starts ticking at the time the injury or accident occurred. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations is two years for many (but not all) case types. Hazardous substance exposure claims may have a “discovery rule” that could extend the time the victim has to initiate the claim. Diagnosis of the condition is one of the primary factors used in discovery to start the case.
New Jersey’s Work Injury Attorneys
At Keefe Law firm, we have obtained millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for people hurt by injuries and illness from on the job:
Chemical and Toxic Substances Exposure
Scaffolding and Ladder Accidents
Heavy Machinery and Equipment Accidents
Get A Free Case Evaluation
At Keefe Law Firm, we stand for our injured clients to attain nothing less than the compensation they deserve. Talk to a lawyer today about your options.
