Have you sustained a burn injury due to exposure to a hazardous chemical? Chemical burns can be excruciating and often require costly medical care. However, if you were burned in a workplace accident, you could be able to recover money through a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party lawsuit.
The New York City chemical burn lawyers at The Perecman Firm, can help you pursue your options. We have recovered more than half a billion dollars in settlements and trial verdicts for injured people in New York and have been recognized as one of the top firms in the city. We can handle every aspect of your chemical burn claim while you focus on healing.
Contact us today to learn more about your options during a free, no-consultation case review.
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How Our Law Firm Helps Chemical Burn Victims in New York
When you contact the dedicated injury lawyers of The Perecman Firm, you can count on us to help you with your NYC chemical burn claim by:
- Explaining your rights and reviewing your claim to determine its potential value
- Identifying all possible sources of compensation for your chemical burns
- Conducting an independent investigation into the chemical spill or leak
- Communicating with employers, insurers, and other parties on your behalf
- Obtaining medical records, incident reports, and other evidence for your claim
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and medical experts for valuable case testimony
- Managing essential case documents, details, and deadlines on your behalf
- Filing claim paperwork and negotiating aggressively to maximize your settlement
- Navigating the workers’ compensation system and appealing your claim if necessary
- Taking your case to court and representing you at trial, if insurers refuse to pay
Workers with a High Chance of Chemical Exposure
Chemical burns and toxic exposure can occur in any workplace, but workers in the following roles and industries face a particularly high risk:
- Construction workers – People who work on construction sites are susceptible to chemical burns when they use caustic substances for construction, demolition, and cleanup.
- Farm workers – Farm workers commonly use fertilizers, pesticides, and other substances that can result in severe chemical burns.
- Nail salon workers – Nail technicians are exposed to various harsh chemicals daily, including hazardous substances like acetone and formaldehyde.
- Hair salon workers – Many substances that hair salon workers use to dye, perm, and straighten hair are strong chemicals that can cause burns.
- Industrial workers – Workers in chemical plants and other industrial settings are vulnerable to chemical burns if their workplaces fail to store hazardous materials properly.
- Welders – Welders are most at risk from thermal burns but can also sustain chemical burns when caustic substances drip or leak from metal containers.
- Painters – Painters commonly use paint thinners and harsh chemicals for their jobs and are susceptible to chemical burns.
- Pool cleaners – Pool cleaners often rely on cleaning agents like chlorine and chlorine derivatives, exposure to which can cause burns and inhalation injuries.
- Mechanics – Auto mechanics are vulnerable to chemical burns when they come in contact with car battery acids and harsh solvents like benzene and toluene.
- Janitors – Many janitors and cleaning staff use strong, industrial cleaning agents that should not come into contact with their skin, like bleach, alcohol, and hydrochloric acid.
- Scientists – Chemists, lab technicians, and other scientists can sustain chemical burns due to improper handling, mixing, or storage of caustic substances.
Common Causes of Chemical Burns in New York City
Many chemical burns that occur in New York City are the result of exposure to common household and workplace substances, including:
- Bleach
- Ammonia
- Peroxide
- Lead paint remover
- Battery acid
- Phosphoric acid
- Sulfuric acid
- Nitric acid
- Hydrofluoric acid
- Hydrochloric acid
- Acetic acid
- Chloroacetic acid
- Concrete mix
- Toilet cleaners
- Metal cleaners
- Oven cleaners
- Drain openers
- Rust removers
- Mildew removers
- Soldering flux
- Hair relaxers
- Paint thinners
- Salon chemicals
- Dental cleaners
- Sodium hydroxide
- Potassium hydroxide
- Acetone
- Calcium hydroxide
- Sodium hypochlorite
- Calcium hypochlorite
- Sodium carbonate
- Lithium hydride
- White phosphorus
- Airbag chemicals
Symptoms and Complications from Chemical Burns
Chemical burns are often harder to identify than other burns because they can result in deep tissue injuries that are not obvious at the surface level.
Common signs and symptoms of chemical burn injuries include:
- Redness and irritation at the site of exposure
- Pain, burning, or numbness at the site of exposure
- Blistering or blackened skin at the contact site
- Changes in vision resulting from ocular exposure
- Cough or shortness of breath from inhalation injuries
In especially severe chemical burn injury cases, patients can also develop the following short- and long-term complications:
- Low blood pressure
- Faintness and dizziness
- Severe and persistent cough and shortness of breath
- Muscle spasms, seizures, and irregular heartbeat
- Permanent pain, scarring, and disfigurement
- Disability due to blindness or gastrointestinal injuries
- Loss of fingers, toes, or other body parts
- Psychological issues like depression, insomnia, and PTSD
Treatments for Chemical Burns
Doctors often treat chemical burns by:
- Inserting IVs to restore fluid levels or administer medication
- Decontaminating the skin tissue through water irrigation
- Applying medicated creams and sterilized bandages
- Inserting breathing tubes to help with respiratory issues
- Administering booster shots and pain medications
- Skin grafting and performing reconstructive surgery for severe burns
- Recommending physical, occupational, and cognitive therapies
Potential Compensation for Chemical Burn Injuries
If you sustained a chemical burn at work, you could be entitled to no-fault benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. These benefits pay for your medical care, replace a portion of lost wages, and provide disability benefits if your burn injuries are permanent.
In New York, there are special laws protecting certain workers who are burned by chemicals. Employers are required to provide proper protective equipment to their employers to make sure they don’t get burned by corrosive substances. If your employer or another company failed to provide you with proper protective apparel and you suffered a chemical burn, you may be able to bring a lawsuit under New York’s laws protecting workers against responsible contractors and worksite owners.
In some cases, you could be entitled to additional compensation from a third-party insurance claim or lawsuit against any at-fault parties. With a successful third-party claim, you could recover compensation for the total value of your lost wages, physical losses like pain and suffering, and more.
Contact Our Chemical Burn Lawyers in New York City Now
If you have questions you need to be answered by a chemical exposure attorney in NYC, get in touch with The Perecman Firm, right away. Initial consultations are free and come with no obligation.