Recently, three TSA workers at LaGuardia were exposed to hazardous materials while they were on-the-job. Metro US reported on the incident, which caused the affected workers to sustain injury as a result of the exposure.
Injuries and illnesses due to toxic exposure will often make a worker very sick and, in some cases, exposure to toxins can even be fatal. It is vital for injured workers to understand their rights if they are exposed to something harmful on the job.
A New York City toxic exposure lawyer could help affected workers to pursue a work injury claim in order to obtain medical coverage and disability income from their employers’ workers’ comp insurer for any illnesses or injuries that could be traced back to their work tasks.
Workers Have Rights When Exposed to Toxins
According to Metro US, the TSA workers were exposed to an unknown material when inspecting a bag at approximately 6:00 AM at Terminal B in LaGuardia. The workers complained that they suffered eye irritation due to the unknown substance, which was later determined by Port Authority officials to be a type of food item.
The workers were transported to Elmhurst Hospital for treatment of their eye injuries caused by the toxic exposure. No passengers were injured in the incident, but Terminal B had to be closed while authorities cleared the affected bag.
These workers were among the many each year who are exposed to potential toxins in the workplace. In many cases, the chemicals that employees are exposed to are extremely dangerous. Eye injuries are a common result of exposure to toxins, and in some cases, are very serious and leave affected workers blind or with permanent vision impairments. Workers who are exposed to toxins and hazardous materials could also experience respiratory problems and could face an elevated risk of serious and sometimes fatal illnesses, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and other types of cancers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates chemicals by establishing permissible exposure limits (PELs). However, the permissible exposure limit list is outdated, and workers are unfortunately given limited protection from exposure to high levels of many serious toxins and many dangerous hazardous substances.
If an employee is exposed to toxins, that worker could have a more difficult time proving eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits than in circumstances where an employee is involved in an accident and suffers an acute injury immediately. This is because it can be challenging for a worker to prove that a cancer which developed years after the initial exposure was actually work-related.
An NYC toxic exposure attorney can provide assistance to workers who are exposed to chemicals on the job so those workers can successfully prove their eligibility for work injury benefits. Contact an attorney at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff as soon as possible after an injury to find out more about how you can obtain benefits though workers’ compensation, including coverage for all medical bills arising from your illness or injury, as well as disability income if you cannot work.
