Chemical Exposure

Construction sites use many chemicals for cleaning, adhesion, sealing, and more. Exposure to these and other toxins in the workplace can be very harmful to workers. In some cases, employees on construction sites suffer immediate harm, such as rash or eye injury, due to exposure to chemicals. In other cases, it can take months or even many years to develop an occupational illness that was originally caused by chemical exposure.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we represent injured construction workers throughout Westchester County, Bronx County, Brooklyn County, Rockland County, Putnam County, Orange County, Dutchess County, Ulster County, Sullivan County, Queens County, and surrounding areas,.

If you’ve suffered from chemical exposure on a construction site, you need an experienced construction accident lawyer, because these cases can be quite complex. The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel was founded by Mark Siesel, an attorney in practice since 1986. Our team works on complex cases and never backs down from a complicated claim when you deserve compensation. We work with a team of experts, including investigators and medical professionals, to establish the connection between workplace conditions and a resulting illness.

If you have been injured on a construction site, contact our offices in White Plains and Peekskill. We’re happy to offer you a free consultation to review what we may be able to do in your situation.

Understanding Chemical Exposure Injuries

Chemical exposure cases are often overlooked or misunderstood, as the symptoms may develop slowly and may not be immediately attributed to workplace exposure. However, there are many types of chemicals present on worksites that can lead to serious harm:

• Asbestos. Still present in older buildings, asbestos is a fiber that was once used in buildings for its fire protection nature. Exposure to dust can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Construction site workers are especially vulnerable to asbestos because they are often demolishing older structures, which can contain asbestos. Demolition can cause the asbestos to crumble and the dust to become airborne, which is when asbestos is most dangerous. It can take decades after exposure for these diseases to develop.
• Silica dust. This dust is produced when concrete, tile, and stone work are ground or drilled. When inhaled, silica dust can lead to silicosis, a progressive and sometimes fatal lung disease. It has also been linked to lung cancer, kidney disease, lung disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Solvents. Solvents are chemicals used to dissolve another chemical. Degreasers, for example, are used to break down and remove oil from surfaces. Paint thinners can dissolve paints. When solvents come in contact with the skin or their vapors are inhaled, workers can experience skin damage. When workers breathe in industrial-grade solvents they may be inhaling benzene, formaldehyde,  chloroform, and other toxic substances that have been linked to lung disease, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and a range of cancers and other life-learning illness. Solvents have also been associated with neurological damage as well as liver and kidney damage.
• Paints and coatings. Many paints contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can irritate the respiratory tract or cause long-term organ damage. Long-term exposure to industrial coatings and paints has been associated with some cancers as well as kidney and liver toxicity.
• Welding fumes. When welding, fumes are produced, and these fumes can contain toxins such as metallic oxides, iron, silica dust, chromium, and fluorides, among other hazardous materials. Inhalation of metal fumes can lead to manganese poisoning, a condition that mimics Parkinson’s disease. It can also lead to cancers, eye irritation, and lung disease.

How Chemical Exposure Happens

Exposure isn’t always dramatic or immediately visible. In fact, many workers are unknowingly exposed over months or years due to:

• Lack of protective equipment.
• Inadequate training on chemical hazards.
• Poor ventilation in enclosed spaces.
• Failure to label or store hazardous materials properly.

What’s particularly frustrating is that most chemical exposure injuries are entirely preventable. In fact, there are many laws and regulations in place to ensure that workers are not exposed to dangerous substances.

For example, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created enforceable permissible exposure limits (PELs) for dangerous substances in the workplace. OSHA also has Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) that require employers to train workers about hazardous material safety, properly communicate about hazardous materials on the worksite, and correctly label all dangerous substances.

In addition, the Industrial Code of New York State requires construction site contractors, owners, and their agents to provide “reasonable and adequate safety” to workers and lawful visitors of construction sites. New York’s Safe Place to Work Statute also requires those responsible for construction sites to ensure that worksites are a “safe place to work.”

Why You Need a Construction Accident Attorney If You’ve Suffered Chemical Exposure at Work

Unlike a broken bone or laceration, chemical exposure symptoms can take years to emerge. This delay makes it harder to connect the illness to a specific incident without proper investigation. In addition, if you have been exposed to a dangerous chemical on the job, you may be eligible to file both a Workers’ Compensation claim and a separate personal injury lawsuit against equipment manufacturers, property owners, or negligent contractors. This may be possible if a contractor, property owner, or another responsible party violated OSHA regulations, the Industrial Code of New York State, New York’s Safe Place to Work Statute, or other laws.

These situations can become complicated, which is why an attorney is important. An attorney can explain how much your claim could be worth and can help you pursue a third-party claim as well as a workers’ compensation claim, if you qualify. Your attorney can also find all potential liable parties and work with toxicology and medical experts to build a strong case.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we investigate every possible avenue to maximize your recovery. While no ethical attorney will promise a specific dollar amount—especially early in the case—we will help you pursue compensation for:

• Pain and suffering.
• Past and future medical expenses.
• Lost earnings and reduced earning capacity.
• Rehabilitation and vocational training.
• Incidental expenses such as car rental, transportation to doctor visits, or home care support.

When clients ask what their case is worth, we explain that valuation depends heavily on the following factors:

• How much insurance coverage is available. This includes general liability, umbrella, excess, and third-party policies.
• Whether the defendant has additional resources. We can perform an asset search to determine whether the liable party has real estate, investments, or business holdings which may be subject to collection.

Why Choose The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel

With decades of experience representing injured workers in New York, our firm understands the intersection of personal injury, Workers’ Compensation, and complex multi-party litigation. We’ve successfully handled cases involving:

• Chemical burns.
• Occupational asthma.
• Neurological disorders.
• Chronic toxic exposure.
• Occupational cancers
• Permanent disability and fatalities from long-term contact with toxic substances.

You’ll work directly with Mark A. Siesel, not associates or case managers. Our clients appreciate that we give them honest evaluations and personal attention. When you call us or email, you can expect a reply quickly, and often on the same day. Our team genuinely cares not just about your claim but about you, and we always act in a way that is most beneficial not just for your case but for your life goals and needs.

If you have suffered from chemical exposure on a construction site in Westchester County, New York, or the Hudson Valley, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel today. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and there are no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. You risk nothing by contacting us to explore your options.