Understanding Your Rights After a Fatal Toxic Exposure at Work in New York: Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in NYC Explain
One of the most common causes of accidental death in the United States is unintentional poisonings, which result in over 87,000 fatalities each year. Although an unintentional poisoning can include many different types of accidents, toxic exposure at work is one of the most common causes. According to government statistics, thousands of workers are made sick each year from toxic exposure at work, and it is further believed that as many as 50,000 deaths each year are attributable to toxic exposure or a disease caused by toxic exposure. This is a staggering figure. If you or a loved one suffered any type of injury or disability due to a toxic exposure, or if a loved one was wrongfully killed in a fatal toxic exposure at work in New York, please call our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in NYC for help.
At O’Connor Law, our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers can help you and your family recover the compensation that you deserve for serious and fatal toxic exposure at work workers’ comp claims. We have the experience and a proven track record of success handling some of the most complicated and catastrophic types of workers’ compensation claims, including toxic exposure cases that result in the wrongful death of an innocent person. To learn more about how we can help you and your family, please call our skilled and experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in NYC to schedule a FREE case evaluation. There is no obligation to sign up, and we can help answer your questions or concerns, and we can help you navigate the complex arena of workers’ compensation benefits.
What is Toxic Exposure?
Toxic exposure is a very broad term to any type of exposure through skin contact, inhalation, or other direct or indirectly contact with a toxic substance. Although many people may believe that this is not a common occurrence, toxic exposure can come in many different forms – including substances that may not necessarily be thought of as toxic. Thus, the type of chemical, the length of exposure, the volume of the chemical, and other factors all depend on the type of injuries and event that could result in a toxic exposure injury or wrongful death.
According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, some of the most common types of chemical exposures and toxic exposures that could result in workplace injuries or wrongful death include the following:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Coal
- Natural gas
- Petroleum fuels
- Methane gas
- Dichloromethane
- Solvents, degreasers
- Sewer gas
- Plastics and resins
- Methanol
- Toluene
- Cleaning and polishing agents
- Chlorine and Chlorine bleach
- Acids and alkalies
- Manure gas, and
- Other dangerous substances and chemicals that could result in serious personal injuries.
Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in NYC know that even one exposure can result in serious personal injuries resulting in the wrongful death of a loved one.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits You May Be Entitled to After a Fatal Toxic Exposure at Work Case
When a loved one is wrongfully killed in a toxic exposure at work incident, spouses and children may be entitled to a death benefit under workers’ compensation laws. The breakdown of the benefit depends on whether there is a surviving spouse and children, or just a spouse. Other factors, including whether the spouse remarries, is also included in the calculus. However, a family of a lost loved one will still be entitled to compensation for their loss.
The amount of the death benefit depends on the deceased loved one’s average weekly wages. For a salaried employee, the average weekly wages are calculated by dividing the salary by 52 weeks. A family is entitled to recover up to two-thirds (2/3s) of their lost loved one’s average weekly wages under workers’ compensation benefits. In some instances, a family may be entitled to recover additional compensation in a personal injury and wrongful death action through a third-party claim.
Did You Lose a Loved One in a Toxic Exposure Case in New York? Call Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in NYC for Help
When a fatal toxic exposure at work case in New York results in the death of a loved one, you need to call a compassionate and experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in NYC like one of ours at O’Connor Law. Our law firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured workers and their families, especially after a wrongful death of a loved one. To learn more, schedule your FREE appointment to learn about your rights by calling (844) 692-6671 or by sending us a private message through our “Contact Us” box available here.
