Were you exposed to toxic chemicals in the workplace in South Carolina? That is a serious safety hazard that could put you at risk of suffering a serious illness or other medical complications. At Smith & Jones Law, LLC, we want to make sure you know your rights and your responsibilities. Here, our Mauldin workers’ compensation attorney provides a comprehensive guide to claims for exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace in South Carolina.
Most Common Chemical Hazards in the Workplace
Unfortunately, chemical exposure can happen in the workplace in South Carolina workplaces far more often than many employees realize. Manufacturing plants, cleaning operations, laboratories, construction sites, auto shops, agricultural facilities, and warehouses all store or use substances that can harm the body through inhalation, skin contact, absorption, or ingestion. There are many different types of chemical hazards. Here are some of the most common:
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs appear in paints, solvents, adhesives, degreasers, and industrial cleaners. These chemicals evaporate quickly and release fumes that irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure can damage liver function, kidney function, and other vital organs.
- Acids and Corrosives: Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and caustic cleaning agents can cause severe burns, eye damage, and lung injury. Even brief skin contact can produce permanent scarring. Inhalation may inflame the airway.
- Pesticides and Agricultural Chemicals: In South Carolina, farm workers, landscapers, and greenhouse workers often handle herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Acute exposure can produce nausea, respiratory distress, and neurological symptoms. Chronic exposure may contribute to long-term illness.
- Welding Fumes and Metal Particulates: Welders inhale fumes containing manganese, chromium, nickel, and other metals. These particulates can damage the lungs and nervous system. Poor ventilation increases risk. Repeated exposure may cause respiratory disorders.
- Silica Dust: Construction and industrial workers inhale silica dust during cutting, grinding, or drilling concrete, stone, or masonry. Respirable crystalline silica can scar lung tissue and lead to silicosis. It also increases the risk of lung cancer.
- Asbestos: Although heavily regulated, asbestos still appears during the renovation or demolition of older buildings. Disturbed fibers can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. These diseases develop slowly.
- Industrial Gases: Finally, ammonia, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, and similar gases pose immediate dangers when released. Workers exposed to high concentrations may lose consciousness, suffer chemical burns, or develop lasting respiratory problems.
South Carolina Workers’ Comp Law and Hazardous Chemicals
The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act is a state law that protects the rights of workers. Many employees harmed by chemical exposure in the course and scope of employment have the right to file a claim. It is a no-fault system. In other words, the worker does not need to prove employer negligence. The worker only needs to establish that the exposure occurred as part of job duties and that the exposure caused the medical condition. Here is a more comprehensive overview of the key things workers should know about hazardous chemical claims in South Carolina:
- Two Types of Exposure Claims (Acute and Chronic): Hazardous exposure work injury claims can be fit into two broad categories. Acute exposure occurs when a worker encounters a high concentration of a substance in a short period. Some of the most common examples include spills, gas leaks, or explosions. On the other hand, chronic exposure results from repeated contact over weeks, months, or years. Notably, many respiratory and neurological illnesses develop this way.
- Notice and Filing Requirements: South Carolina law requires workers to give notice of an injury as soon as reasonably possible. For chemical exposure, workers should report symptoms immediately, even if the cause is uncertain. Some chemical-related conditions develop slowly. Workers should notify supervisors as soon as they suspect the illness may be work-related. Failure to give timely notice allows insurers to argue that the condition did not arise from employment.
- The Key Role of Medical Evidence: While medical records are key in any workers’ comp claim, they are especially important in chemical exposure cases. Indeed, in chemical exposure cases, medical documentation is usually the center of the dispute. Workers must show that the chemical exposure caused or aggravated the condition. Physicians may rely on blood tests, imaging, pulmonary function tests, toxicology reports, or occupational medicine evaluations.
- Available Benefits for Chemical Exposure Victims: Workers’ compensation benefits include medical treatment, wage loss benefits, permanent disability compensation, and, when required, vocational rehabilitation. Workers should document all symptoms, follow the physician’s instructions, and request referrals to specialists. If the exposure caused permanent impairment, the worker may qualify for scheduled or unscheduled disability benefits based on his or her medical rating.
- Employer Defense to Be Prepared for: Insurers often argue that the worker’s illness came from smoking, allergies, preexisting lung conditions, household chemicals, or environmental exposures outside the workplace. As a worker who was hurt on the job, you have the right to counter any defense with evidence such as material safety data sheets, incident reports, ventilation records, industrial hygiene surveys, coworker testimony, and expert evaluations. A top-tier Mauldin, SC workers’ comp lawyer can help you seek the full and fair benefits that you deserve.
Why Trust the Mauldin Work Injury Lawyers at Smith & Jones Law
Hazardous chemicals have the potential to cause catastrophic harm to workers. At Smith & Jones Law, LLC, we put the rights of injured workers first. Our case results tell the story best. If you were subject to exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace, you must get immediate medical care and the proper legal representation. Your initial case evaluation with our Mauldin workers’ comp attorney is free, fully private, and without any obligations. We have a law office in the 29662 zip code of Mauldin, and we represent injured workers across the entire region.
Contact Our Mauldin Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
At Smith & Jones Law, LLC, our Mauldin, SC workers’ compensation attorney has the knowledge and experience to handle hazardous chemical cases. If you were harmed by exposure to a toxic substance, we can help. Contact us or call us at 803-784-0730 right away to arrange a free case evaluation. From our Mauldin office, we represent workers all across the region, including in the zip code of 29662.