West Virginia Benzene Injury Attorney

Solvents, Benzene and Occupational Illness

Solvents are substances which dissolve other substances to form a "solution." Solvents such as benzene are used in making:

• Adhesives / glues
• Cleaning products
• Dyes
• Detergents
• Ink
• Paint
• Plastics
• Rubber
• Various synthetic fibers and lubricants
• Other chemicals

Benzene and other industrial solvents are dangerous to humans and animals. These hazardous substances can cause illness by direct contact with the skin or through breathing airborne fumes. Precaution should be taken before hand because once exposure has occurred, it can extremely challenging to reverse the damage done.

Benzene Exposure in West Virginia

Benzene in particular is known to be carcinogenic (cancer causing). OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recommends the use of safety gear including respirators for persons working with substances containing benzene. Anyone who has been diagnosed with a blood cancer or other condition which may be caused by exposure to benzene or other solvents should talk with a West Virginia personal injury attorney about the possibility of filing a claim for damages in addition to any workers' compensation benefits.

Where Benzene Exposure Occurs

Benzene is ranked as the sixth most hazardous substance on the ATSDR's (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) list for 2011 after arsenic, lead, vinyl chloride, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Benzene is produced in large quantities for industrial use. Many workers are unaware of the hazards posed by chemicals in their workplace and unknowingly work with toxic substances on a daily basis. Those who are likely to be exposed include:

• People who live close to a plant which expels benzene into the environment
• Power plants workers
• Railroad workers
• Chemical plants employees
• Refinery employees
• Mechanics
• Firefighters
• Gasoline haulers
• Rubber workers

​These individuals may develop serious illnesses as a result of exposure to benzene.

Retain a Wheeling Toxic Tort Lawyer

At Hartley Law Group, PLLC, a personal injury lawyer takes care to provide the one-on-one attention that has earned us national recognition in litigating occupational illness and toxic chemical exposure cases. Our legal team has been assisting injured clients and their families to achieve positive outcomes in personal injury and wrongful death cases for over 38 years. Don't wait to contact a West Virginia injury lawyer from our team.