Lead Poisoning in the Workplace
The dangers of lead poisoning are very real. Every day, innocent people are unknowingly exposed to toxic levels of lead, resulting in serious and potentially life-altering complications. And yet far too little is done to protect the public from the risk of harm.
The workplace is one of the most common sites for dangerous lead exposure, and that’s especially true in older cities like New York.
Employers have a duty, under New York personal injury law, to maintain safe working conditions for their employees. That includes taking reasonable measures to reduce the risk of exposure.
Lead has no place in the human body. It is a harmful and foreign substance for which our bodies show notoriously poor tolerance. Any exposure to lead in your work place should be considered a grave threat to your health and wellness.
The American Academy of Family Physicians puts it like this: “The continued occurrence of occupational lead exposure and lead poisoning in the United States remains a serious problem despite awareness of its adverse health effects. Lead exposure is arguably the oldest known occupational health hazard. It is a particularly insidious hazard with the potential for causing irreversible health effects.”
No one deserves to suffer from occupational lead poisoning. It is important that you understand the signs of potential illness so that you can take quick action to protect yourself and hold those responsible for your exposure accountable. The lead poisoning lawyers at Kaplan Lawyers PC can help.
Our office understands how terrifying and devastating any amount of lead exposure can be. It is our goal to make New York a safer and healthier city by fighting for workers who’ve unfairly suffered from occupational lead poisoning. Victims may be entitled to significant financial compensation, and we are determined to get them what they deserve.
Symptoms of Occupational Lead Poisoning
Unfortunately, the symptoms of occupational lead poisoning are often ambiguous and slow to appear. In many cases, irreversible damage may already be done before the initial diagnosis is made.
Accordingly, it is very important that employees remain vigilant in monitoring themselves for symptoms, which may include:
- Hypotension or hypertension (low or high blood pressure)
- Anemia
- Hearing problems
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Joint and/or muscle pain
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the extremities
- Memory loss
- Central nervous system problems
- Poor coordination
- Mood swings / mood disorders
- Fatigue
- Abnormal sperm (including reduced sperm count)
- Difficulty concentrating / mental difficulties
- Premature birth or miscarriage in women
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea (in cases of sudden, acute exposure)
- Permanent brain damage.
It is possible to have very high levels of lead in your blood and still not experience any symptoms. If you suspect any exposure to lead in your workplace whatsoever, please seek immediate medical attention.
Free Consultation with Our New York Lead Poisoning Lawyers
Occupational lead exposure and poisoning are more common than you might think. If you have any reason to believe that your workplace may have exposed you or a loved one to lead, you should take action right away.
For those who’ve already suffered exposure, the lead poisoning attorneys at Kaplan Lawyers PC can help with compassionate and effective legal representation. We will work hard to investigate the true source of your poisoning and determine the full value of your damages, which may include more than you realize. We have years of experience handling work injury cases, and we won’t rest until justice is fully served.
To schedule a completely free consultation with our lead poisoning lawyers, please contact our office as soon as possible. We will not charge for our services unless we are able to recover money on your behalf. Please remember, though, that time limits apply for these claims, so you should take action as soon as possible. Please reach out to us right away.
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan has focused his career on advancing his legal knowledge though the day to day practice of law. Jared is a partner in the law firm of Kaplan Lawyers PC in Syosset, New York and has been a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years. His career started in litigation, so Jared is aware of the pitfalls in litigation and uses that knowledge in the representation of his clients in complex matters. [ Attorney Bio ]