Benzene Hazard and Toxic Exposure

Benzene is a colorless, highly flammable and toxic chemical that has a sweet smell. It is a widely used chemical in the United States, used mainly as a solvent. It is also used in making other chemicals and products, such as plastics, pesticides, detergents, polymers, adhesives, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, explosives, drugs, and resins. Benzene can be found in crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Workers who are employed in industries which use benzene run the risk of being exposed to unhealthy levels of this chemical. These industries include the rubber, oil, and gas-related industries, chemical plants, and shoe manufacturers. Other workers who may be exposed to benzene include steel workers, lab technicians, printers, and firemen.

One of the main ways a person is exposed to this chemical is through inhalation. Breathing in fumes which contain benzene at work or elsewhere places a person at risk for toxic exposure. Because of this, federal regulations limit benzene levels and exposure. OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) is responsible for this regulation in work environments, where employers are required to provide protective gear for workers where the levels of this chemical may be higher than what the law allows.

Exposure to benzene has been linked to various diseases, such as leukemia, anemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin myeloma. Benzene has been classified as a known carcinogen by many agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Toxicology Program, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer

Those who have sustained injuries or illness connected with toxic exposure may be able to recover legal compensation for their damages under toxic tort law. A toxic tort lawsuit is based on short-term or long-term exposure to chemicals which cause injury, disease, or death. The exposure may have occurred on the job through routine work, from an explosion, or some other accident or event. The consequences of these exposures are often life-threatening and can cause severe hardship on both the victim and his or her family.

The personal injury firm of Hartley & O'Brien, PLLC has been serving American workers for 30 years and has obtained hundreds of millions of dollars for its clients in verdicts and settlements. They are proven leaders and aggressive advocates in this field. If you believe you have been harmed due to chemical or other toxic exposure while at work, you should contact the firm to tell an experienced attorney your story. You can begin by filling out a case evaluation form and finding out more about the legal factors that may pertain to you. Because toxic tort cases can be complex, it is best to have your case handled by a capable attorney. That is what this firm is all about.