A Greater Injury: Workplace Harm and Personal Injuries
If you get hurt on the job you can usually count on your employer's insurance to cover your medical bills and part of your salary. In most cases, you recover from the accident and are back to work in a few weeks or so. There are some work-related injuries and illnesses that may not be so easily handled by your workers' compensation insurance, however. Read on to find out about one type of work-related harm where that form of insurance may prove to be completely adequate.
Toxic Substance Exposure
When it comes to exposure injuries the way the worker is affected is part of the problem. Small amounts of a toxic substance over a short period of time may do no harm whatsoever, but repeated use over a longer period of time can sneak up on a worker. It can take years for some workers to even realize that they have been exposed to toxic chemicals and substances for some time, and unfortunately, that can mean that the harm done is serious and permanent. The workplaces in some industries can cause workers to be exposed to things like asbestos, arsenic, radium, and others, all of which are potentially deadly.
Asbestos Exposure
Many people, including workers, mistakenly believe that asbestos is no longer a threat to their health, but that is incorrect. Asbestos has not been fully banned for use in certain manufacturing and construction industries, and the potential to become exposed still exists for thousands of workers. This substance may be dangerous but it is far too valuable for an industry to ban it entirely. Few substances are available to replace something that protects and resists the rigors of the environment or the setting. It's used in the manufacture of brake linings for our vehicles, as insulation for wiring in buildings, and in roofing materials.
Taking Action
Workers' compensation is normally the first line of defense against work-related injuries, but this form of insurance has limitations to both the amount of the payouts and the way the payments are made. Fortunately, there is help for victims of asbestos exposure in the form of a class action lawsuit. This suit was settled in favor of the victims with the provision that 30 billion dollars be set aside for the sufferers of asbestos exposure. Speak to a personal injury lawyer about becoming a member of the suit and gain the compensation you need and deserve.
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