If you are someone who has been injured by chemicals or chemical exposure on the job, you might be wondering if you can get worker’s compensation payments for it.

It can be a complex issue and there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to chemical injuries on the job.

As you probably know, worker’s compensation allows employees who have been hurt at work to get reimbursement for their medical expenses and lost wages. Also, they don’t have to prove if their employer was negligent to get these benefits.

It can get tricky though, with chemical injuries and exposure. Why? Because you might be asked to prove certain things when you file your claim if you were injured due to chemical exposure at work.

One of the first things you’ll be asked to prove is the type of chemical or toxic substance that caused your injury or illness. Sounds simple? It’s not always. It can take medical tests and diagnoses which can take a while to document.  It can also take providing the exact chemicals to which you were exposed can create the medical condition at issue.

For example, were you exposed to asbestos? Do you have mesothelioma? You’ll need not only to document your mesothelioma but also prove that you were exposed to asbestos at work.

It also gets tricky because while it may be relatively simple to prove that you got something like a chemical burn at work – because the injury shows up immediately – proving a chemical injury that took years of exposure might take longer.

It can also be tricky if you worked at multiple companies or job sites, because where you were exposed does matter.

This is where hiring an experienced worker’s compensation attorney can be invaluable, because we know how to investigate and validate your claims – no matter how old or lengthy your work history.

A good attorney can also determine if you are eligible for worker’s compensation payments or even a different kind of compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

One thing remains the same: Don’t wait to file a claim. If you think you were injured by chemicals on the job, contact a qualified attorney today.

Connor Kimmet and Hafenstein LLP

If you have questions about chemical exposure and worker’s compensation payments, contact us today. We have a lawyer who will work for you and can answer your questions!