Did you get injured or become ill from exposure to a toxic substance on a construction site in Oklahoma City? Many of the chemicals used in construction can cause significant injuries if they are directly handled, ingested, or inhaled. Even being near some of these chemicals without proper protective gear could cause serious harm.
If your injury or illness was caused by exposure to toxic chemicals at a construction site, contact the legal team at Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons. Our Oklahoma City toxic chemical exposure attorneys have been helping sick and injured construction workers for 40 years. We can help you seek workers’ compensation benefits or file a lawsuit if there’s third-party negligence.
If you’re suffering from chemical exposure, you deserve quality legal representation to help you with your claim and start the path to recovery. For more information, contact our office for a free case review.
Types of Dangerous Toxic Chemicals in Construction Materials
Many materials used in construction contain dangerous and toxic chemicals that must be handled extremely carefully. The National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) discusses some of the more common toxic chemicals found in constructions materials and how they can impact health, such as the following:
- Asbestos — Despite being linked to several significant illnesses, including mesothelioma and other respiratory conditions, asbestos has not been entirely banned for use in construction materials. Asbestos is a good material for insulating or fireproofing areas of a building. But without proper protective care and procedures to prevent inhalation, asbestos fibers can break off. These fibers enter the air and can contaminate a job site and cling to clothes. If the fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can lead to severe illness. Construction workers are more likely to get sick as they spend more time around asbestos materials.
- Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) — Chromated copper arsenate is a compound used as a preservative and pesticide to treat lumber used in outdoor construction. The EPA phased out CCA as a way to treat lumber in 2003. However, it can still be found in many buildings built before 2003. While CCA is an effective pesticide and preservative, it also contains arsenic. Arsenic exposure has been linked to many illnesses, including nerve damage and lung, bladder, skin, kidney, and prostate cancer. The primary way to be exposed to CCA is if the compound comes to the surface of the treated wood. From there, it can be absorbed through the hands or skin by anyone who touches the treated wood.
- Formaldehyde — Formaldehyde is used in many building materials and household products, meaning large concentrations can be found indoors and outdoors. Pressed wood materials made using adhesives containing urea-formaldehyde resins are a common source of formaldehyde exposure. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and respiratory irritant. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause leukemia and other types of cancer. Short-term exposure can cause difficulty breathing, nausea, and a burning sensation in the eyes and throat.
- Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) — PFCs are a group of fluorine chemicals that make materials more resistant to stains and prevent them from sticking to other objects. There are two particularly dangerous PFCs found in construction materials: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). PFOA is used in Teflon products and is linked to liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. PFOS was used in Scotchgard and other products to repel stains. It has been associated with an increased risk of thyroid and liver cancer.
Injuries from Exposure to Toxic Substances
Exposure to toxic substances while working in construction can lead to various injuries and illnesses. These health problems are preventable when the proper safety measures are followed. When established standards are not met, the following side effects could occur:
- Chemical burns
- Irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased risk of cancer, including mesothelioma
- Respiratory conditions like asbestosis and asthma
- Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease
What Is a Toxic Tort?
A tort is a legal term for a civil wrong against a person. It’s an injury to their body or livelihood. A “toxic tort” refers to a lawsuit against the creator, manufacturer, or marketer of a toxic product you were exposed to. A tort stems from occupational exposure to substances such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, and solvents. While a toxic tort will not undo the injury or illness you suffered after exposure to a toxic chemical, it can allow you to seek financial compensation from someone responsible for your injury or illness.
Who Can I Sue for Chemical Exposure?
If you’ve been injured by exposure to toxic materials while at work, you can typically file a workers’ compensation claim for your medical care and disability payments. You may also be able to take legal action against other liable third parties. However, you will need to speak to a skilled personal injury lawyer to discuss your options.
Depending on the specifics of your case, the potentially responsible parties include the following:
- The owner of a job site — Property owners can be held liable for toxic exposure if you can show how their negligence led to you being exposed to the toxic construction materials.
- The manufacturer of the product — If you were exposed to a toxic chemical due to a manufacturing defect with a product, the manufacturer may be liable.
- The product’s designers — The manufacturers of toxic chemicals can be held liable if you can show that the product was dangerous or the company did not fully explain the risks.
- The product marketer — Companies must warn users of the potential dangers of using their products. They can be liable if they do not provide a proper warning.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Toxic torts are challenging because you must prove how you were exposed and how a third party’s negligent actions led to your injuries. A toxic chemical exposure lawyer could demonstrate how the company that made, designed, or marketed the substance was negligent.
At Ryan Bisher Ryan and Simons, we’re here to guide you through the complicated process of recovering compensation for your losses due to toxic exposure at a construction site. You shouldn’t have to face this alone. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
