Do I Have Legal Options if I was Seriously Injured By a Chemical Spill? 

 Posted on March 03, 2022 in Personal Injury

Chemicals are everywhere in our environment. Even things that we use every day, like vinegar and baking soda, are chemicals or chemical compounds. Most of the chemicals in our environment pose no risk to us, even with daily exposure. Sometimes, however, we are exposed to dangerous chemicals without even knowing it. 

Certain workplaces are known to carry the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals, but even places like your home, streets, and grocery stores may have strong chemicals present that are not always managed correctly. We may unintentionally ingest them, get them on our skin or eyes, or breathe them in. While certain chemical exposures are unavoidable, other times a chemical can get into inappropriate areas due to negligence, serious accidents, or poor management. If you have been injured by exposure to chemicals in the Winnebago County area, a skilled personal injury attorney may be able to help. 

Signs of Toxic Chemical Exposure

While the specific signs of chemical exposure can vary according to the chemical in question, certain symptoms are common. Short-term effects include, but are not limited to: 

• Rashes

• Allergic reactions

• Headaches, dizziness, and nausea

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing 

• Burning eyes, nose, and throat

• Sweating

• Blurred vision

• Stomach aches and diarrhea 

Often, the effects of chemical exposure develop incrementally and can result in serious and even life-threatening injuries, such as liver failure or cancerous growths. 

Processing Plants and Chemical Transportation 

Plants and refineries are essential infrastructure for creating many products we use every day. But when refineries, or the transportation methods they use to get chemicals from one place to another, cut corners on safety regulations, employee training, or equipment maintenance, tragic accidents can happen. 

Chemical spills can happen when plants push employees to meet unrealistic deadlines, operate complex machinery without appropriate training, or transport chemical goods without carefully inspecting transportation equipment. When a truck crash, train derailment, or chemical spill from a nearby plant occurs, this can have catastrophic consequences on people who live, work, or just happen to be nearby. 

Call a Skilled Winnebago County Personal Injury Lawyer

Chemical spills can happen quickly and unexpectedly and leave victims with lifelong medical and mobility issues. If you have been exposed to a chemical spill for which a negligent third party was responsible, the skilled Winnebago County personal injury attorneys with Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law can help you understand more about your case and whether you may be able to pursue compensation. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 815-215-7561. 

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048&ChapterID=57 

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2018-12/fy11_sh-22240-11_ChemicalHazards.pdf