Chemical Spill and Exposure

Chemical spills and the exposure to spills and waste can be very harmful to workers, leading to burns and serious injuries, sometimes to the respiratory tract. If a spill occurs, identify the chemical and then review the manufacturer’s instructions. The kind of chemical that is spilled will largely determine how you should respond to the chemical spill in terms of cleanup.

The employer may or may not be qualified and trained properly on cleaning up the spill. If not, local law enforcement may have to be contacted so they can find the correct response team. If the spill is large enough, the area may have to be evacuated.

It is best to attempt to cover the spill, if at all possible, and attempt to neutralize it. If the spill can be contained and cleaned up, the waste from the spilled chemical has to be disposed of according to local and federal laws for safety reasons.

There are ways, however, to protect yourself from a chemical spill, and they are to wear chemical-resistant gloves, clothes that cover the skin, and eye protection.

CHEMICAL SPILL AND EXPOSURE LAWS

If you have been injured on the job, you have one of two options in order to secure a recovery for your injuries. First, you may to be able to turn to your state’s worker’s compensation law program or Labor and Industry program.

The second option you have is what is called a third party settlement. A third party settlement is only available when a party other than your employer caused your accident. So if there was another company, such as a general contractor, that was partly or entirely responsible for how the accident was created, then you can sue the general contractor just like you could sue someone who struck you with their car.

Part of the challenge in a case involving a chemical spill or exposure injury is to identify the right party to sue. There could be any number of possibilities, including, but not limited to:

• The general contractor
• The subcontractor
• The company for the chemical company
• The company who was responsible for safety for the chemical company

There may be even other companies or responsible parties as well who are responsible too. The challenge is identifying them. Having the right kind of expert is essential in a case like this who can help not only identify the right party but who can also explain how the accident happened, how it could have been prevented, and why different safety protocols would have made a difference.

COMMON CHEMICAL SPILL AND EXPOSURE INJURIES

If you have been injured on the job or at a construction site, you may have suffered a number of serious injuries. Among them are:

• First, second, and third degree burns
• Skin injuries
• Blindness
• Eye injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head trauma
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Back injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries