Daytona Beach Injury Attorneys
Free Case Evaluations - Call 24/7 386.333.6613
Cancer from Chemical Exposure

Cancer from Chemical Exposure

The complete list of known and probable human carcinogens, or cancer-causing substances, is alarmingly long. According to the American Cancer Society, many people are exposed to these chemicals or substances at work.

Hairdressers, coal miners, chimney sweeps, painters, roofers, ironworkers, factory workers, and gardeners are at particular risk of exposure to certain chemicals, and the link between firefighters and occupational cancer is well known. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3-6% of all cancers worldwide are caused by exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. In the U.S., that means that between 45,872 and 91,745 people develop occupational cancer every year.

If you work frequently around a carcinogen, try to mitigate your exposure as much as possible. Talk to your employer about reducing the use of carcinogenic chemicals in the workplace.

If you do develop occupational cancer due to this exposure, you should be compensated under workers’ comp insurance.

Roundup

As an example of chemical exposure causing cancer, consider the case of gardeners and glyphosate. If this word sounds familiar to you, you have likely heard about the controversy with Roundup weed killer, which uses the probable carcinogen, glyphosate, as an herbicide. Many agricultural workers have already come forward with claims of cancer after using this product. While they definitely have product liability cases, gardeners covered under workers’ comp may also be able to open a workers’ comp claim.

Firefighters

The state of Florida recently voted to extend cancer coverage to firefighters. SB426 considers cancer an occupational hazard for firefighters and allows them access to full insurance coverage with disability and death benefits. When synthetic materials burn, they release a cocktail of carcinogens that firefighters cannot avoid being exposed to. With the approval of this bill, firefighters will no longer have to go through lengthy legal battles and high standards of proof to link their occupational cancer to their profession.

Proving Your Occupational Cancer

If you recognize exposure to a carcinogen at work and develop cancer as a result, you likely have an occupational cancer claim under workers’ compensation law. That being said, you will still have to prove many factors – such as presence and exposure to the chemical in the workplace, and that chemical’s causal relationship to your cancer.

At Politis & Matovina, P.A., our attorneys understand the ins and outs of Florida workers’ compensation law and fight for cancer prevention in the community. We are sensitive to your illness and want you to have access to the best treatment available. Let us help you with your occupational cancer claim, so you have the best chance of recovery. Get started by calling (386) 333-6613 and requesting a free consultation today.

Categories: