Construction Workers Claim Radiation Exposure in the Workplace
Two construction workers filed a lawsuit in the Manhattan Supreme claiming they were exposed to radiation during the building of the City University of New York’s new Advanced Science Research Center. According to the workers there was “toxic and hazardous materials, including but not limited to radiation,” on the site and they were not “properly protected,” reported the New York Post (8.25.13).
The source of the radiation was not identified.
The lawsuit was filed against the city and project developer Skanska USA The $500 million, 200,000-square-foot Advanced Science Research Center is being built on the Manhattanville campus in West Harlem.
Radiation injury or illness on-the- job and recovering workers’ compensation benefits
Radiation exposure can happen at a wide range of worksites, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These occupational settings include research institutions, health care facilities, nuclear reactors and nuclear weapon production facilities. These radiation sources can pose a considerable health risk to employees who are not properly protected.
Radiation injuries can cause serious damage to a person’s body. Radiation injury or illness typically occurs when a worker comes in contact with a high level of radiation for a short period of time or when a worker is exposed to low amounts of radiation for a longer time.
Radiation is known to damage multiple layers of the skin, leading to infection and even cancer.
Those who suffer a work-related injury or illness because of radiation exposure may be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits. These benefits are available to employees who were injured or became ill during the course of their employment.
Recovering workers’ comp with the help of a New York workers’ compensation lawyer
When employers do not responsibly keep workplaces safe for their employees, accidents can – and do – happen. Workers who have been injured while working should consult an experienced
workers’ compensation attorney. The right lawyer can help an injured worker obtain the maximum benefits to which he or she is entitled. Workers’ compensation lawyers at The Perecman Firm, aggressively fight to protect the legal rights of injured workers, helping them to collect the benefits they deserve after a workplace accident.