Toxic Exposure On a Construction Site
Workers in the construction industry are often exposed to a wide range of chemicals – many of which are toxic in nature and can lead to serious health problems in the long term.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that employers must train their workers to handle toxic chemicals and provide the necessary personal protective equipment to anyone who handles or might come into contact with these substances.
Unfortunately, many employers in New York fail to follow these guidelines, as a result of which thousands of workers are exposed to these chemicals on construction sites.
Toxic Substances You Might Be Exposed to on a Construction Site
The most common types of toxic substances you might be exposed to on a construction site include:
- Asbestos
- Asphalt
- Artificial mineral fibers
- Formaldehyde
- Flame retardants
- Glue
- Industrial cleaning agents
- Lead
- Mold
- Paint
- Polyurethane
- Polyvinyl chloride
- Silica dust
- Solvents
- Wood dust
Common Ways You Might Be Exposed to Toxic Substances on a Construction Site
- Touching or coming into contact with the substance in any other way (while you are not wearing any protective equipment)
- Breathing in the substance
- Ingesting the substance
Additionally, in many cases your toxic exposure is often something you might not even realize that you were exposed to. It can take several months or even several years for the symptoms to show up, at which point your health condition might be worse than you realize. It’s why employers, property owners, and contractors are required to take all the possible safety precautions on the construction site to protect workers from toxic exposure.
What Are the Consequences of Toxic Exposure on a New York Construction Site?
Long-term exposure to toxic substances can lead to several serious health problems including:
- Respiratory disorders
- Silicosis
- Blindness
- Endocrine disruption
- Infertility
- Neurological disorders
- Internal organ damage
- Brain damage
- Cancer
Who Can Be Held Liable for Toxic Exposure on a Construction Site?
Depending on the circumstances, one or more parties can be held liable for your toxic exposure. These include:
- The manufacturer of the chemical (if they failed to provide the necessary warnings and safety instructions)
- The manufacturer of personal protective equipment (if you were provided with defective PPE)
- The party in charge of storing the toxic substances (if you were exposed to the substances due to a leakage or spill)
- The property owner
- The construction site manager, supervisor, or any other party who was responsible for worker safety
Exposed to Toxic Chemicals? Our Top-Rated Toxic Exposure Attorneys Can Help You Get Justice!
If you have been exposed to toxic substances on the construction site and have developed a medical condition as a result, the personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff can help you.
We have more than 100 years of combined legal experience and have handled several toxic exposure claims over the years. We can identify all the parties that can be held liable for your condition, gather the evidence to prove their fault and extent of liability, and fight aggressively to recover the maximum amount of monetary damages you are entitled to under the law.
Call our firm today at 212-962-1020 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned construction accident lawyer who has been through the legal rigors before and knows what course to take.