Modern society couldn’t function without chemicals. We need chemicals for our cars, our homes, our healthcare, and even our food. But while some of these substances are useful and benign, others can be extremely toxic, corrosive, and deadly, to the point where some have even been weaponized for warfare. But you don’t need to enter a war zone to risk exposure to lethal substances. Anyone can be the victim of an accidental chemical spill, and for people who work in industrial settings, the risk of injury or wrongful death is even higher.
Unfortunately, many chemicals which are commonly used in commercial applications have the potential to wreak devastating havoc on the human body. Contact with numerous substances can cause serious burns and permanent disfigurement, in addition to long-term repercussions like an increased risk for certain cancers, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. Not only are these health effects physically and emotionally painful, they also encumber their sufferers with the cost of huge medical expenses which can last for months, years, or even a lifetime.
If you or someone you love was hurt by an industrial accident, call the Pennsylvania chemical spill accident injury lawyers of The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940 to schedule a free and private legal consultation today.
The Reiff Law Firm: Pennsylvania Chemical Spill Accident Injury Attorneys
When you have already been hurt in an accident, you have enough of a challenge ahead of you. You are already coping with the strain of physical, emotional, and financial damage. You should not have to assume the additional burden of fighting for justice and fair compensation on your own. Let the compassionate attorneys of The Reiff Law Firm assist you during this difficult time.
At The Reiff Law Firm, our skilled and aggressive legal team has more than 34 years of experience representing Pennsylvania accident victims and their family members in personal injury and wrongful death matters. We are dedicated to providing dedicated advocacy on behalf of our clients, and have obtained awards exceeding $1 million in multiple cases. When you need the support of a firm with decades of practical experience and a history of achievement, call on the attorneys of The Reiff Law Firm.
Major Chemical Sources in Pennsylvania
Chemicals are all around us. In and near eastern Pennsylvania, major chemical plants and manufacturers include:
- Arkema (King of Prussia, PA, and Bristol, PA)
- Brenntag Northeast (Reading, PA)
- Chemtura Corporation (Perth Amboy, NJ)
- Inolex Chemical Company (Philadelphia, PA)
- Netchem (New Brunswick, NJ)
- Polysciences (Warrington, PA)
However, chemical production centers are not the only sites for potential danger. Numerous businesses which do not necessarily make chemicals still store and use them, often in large quantities in tanks which have the potential to corrode and leak without regular, vigilant maintenance.
Furthermore, massive quantities of dangerous pollutants and chemical substances can leak into the air and water supply if a transportation accident should occur on a road or in a body of water. As recently as January of 2014, a spill in the nearby state of West Virginia — which shares a border with Pennsylvania — released about 7,500 gallons of crude MCHM into the Elk River. Crude MHCM can cause vomiting, rashes, diarrhea, headaches, and other negative effects.
Effects of Exposure to Chemicals
Injuries caused by toxic substances are especially pernicious, because chemicals can linger in the body and continue to destroy tissue for months, years, or even decades after the initial exposure. Some segments of the population, such as children and elderly persons, are particularly susceptible to sustaining high levels of damage. If a pregnant woman is exposed to certain chemicals, not only will she have to suffer the negative health effects — so can her unborn child. Some common medical problems which can result from chemical exposure include:
- Cancer
- Cardiac Arrest
- Chemical Burns
- Eye Injuries
- Internal Burns
- Poisoning
- Respiratory Disease
- Seizures
In children who are still developing, exposure can even change the physical makeup of the brain, resulting in neurological damage and lowered IQ levels. Additionally, employees in certain settings and industries are at a greatly increased risk of incurring injury or illness, including:
- Electricians
- Factory Employees
- Mechanics
- Miners
- Plant Operators
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the most dangerous and prevalent substances include:
- Asbestos
- Coal Dust
- Diesel Particulate Matter
- Silica
If you or someone you love was hurt in an industrial accident or was exposed to toxic substances, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages. To schedule a confidential case evaluation completely free of charge, call The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact our law offices online today.
