Bakersfield Exposure to Harmful Substances Workers Compensation Lawyer

Maison Law represents victims exposed to harmful substances while on the job in California. If you or a loved one is involved in a workers’ compensation claim due to being exposed to harmful substances, the workers’ compensation attorneys at Maison Law can help you receive the maximum amount of compensation for your damages. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Bakersfield Harmful Substances Worker’s Compensation Claim?

If you are suffering health issues due to a harmful substance you encountered while on the job in Bakersfield, a Bakersfield Workers’ Compensation Lawyer can help. An attorney’s job is to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for all the physical, mental, and financial difficulties you’ve been forced to endure. A workers’ compensation attorney will also provide the following:

• Investigate and determine wrongdoing or recklessness: Work-related accidents involving harmful substances can become complicated due to the amount of potential liable parties involved. Typically, there will be several people to get statements from, and some parties may only be discussing their involvement through their attorneys. Common liable parties for harmful substances include:
  • The property owner
  • Your job site manager
  • Your company
  • Safety Inspection Company
• Collect and preserve key evidence: A lawyer can take the proper legal steps to obtain vital information and strengthen your claim against the liable party’s insurance. Evidence in a harmful substance claim may include:
  • Tracing the source and creator of the toxin
  • Collecting documents and reports to assign ownership of the harmful substance
  • A statement that establishes the liable party knew about the existence of the harmful substance
• Communicate with insurance companies and other attorneys: When dealing with major corporations and defense attorneys, it is recommended to have a personal injury attorney speak to the insurance adjusters on your behalf. Oftentimes, insurance companies will attempt to trick you into taking part of the blame or get you to say something that hurts your claim. An attorney can protect your liability and right to fair compensation.
• Prove liability: with several parties being involved in most harmful substance cases, determining and proving liability can be challenging. An attorney will assign a team of investigators to determine the cause of the accident, identify all liable parties, and hold those responsible for compensating you for your damages.

How to File a Harmful Substances Workers’ Compensation Claim in Bakersfield

The moment you begin experiencing health issues due to exposure to a harmful substance, you should tell your manager or immediate supervisor about the injury. While making someone aware of your exposure to harmful substances is a necessary first step, it does not make you eligible for benefits through the workers’ compensation program. You must complete the following steps to begin receiving workers’ compensation benefits in California:

1. Tell your manager, supervisor, or someone in the administration department at your job about your work-related injury. If your employer does not learn about your health issues within 30 days of it occurring, you could potentially be denied workers’ compensation.
2. Request a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (DWC 1) from your employer. They’re required to give you one or send it via mail within one working day after your injury is reported.
3. Fill out the form listed above to request benefits from the workers’ compensation program at your workplace. Describe your illness or injury in great detail and fill out only the employee section of the form.
4. Give the form back to your employer as soon as possible. Any delay in filing your workers’ compensation claim may have a negative impact on the benefits you may receive.

These steps will start your workers’ compensation claim and help you get the medical treatment you need. If you have any questions or need legal assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Maison Law. We’re here to help victims who have been injured at work, so there is no charge to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.

California Harmful Substance Law

Chemical manufacturers in California can be held liable for damages if they fail to be reasonably careful when manufacturing, testing, labeling, or selling a chemical in order to prevent harm to others. According to CACI No. 1221, all makers and sellers of chemicals can be held liable for harm caused by their chemicals.

Companies who fail to warn about the dangers of their products can also be held liable. For example, if a company’s pesticides contain cancer-causing chemicals and they fail to warn those who may be exposed to it with a proper label they can be held accountable for whatever health problems others may encounter due to their product.

If an employee is exposed to a harmful substance on the job and suffers an injury or health complications, they’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, as well as compensation they would receive from filing a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturer, seller, or distributor of the harmful substance.

Common Respiratory Conditions from Exposure to Harmful Substances in the Workplace in Bakersfield

Respiratory conditions can significantly impact a person’s quality of life in numerous ways. Respiratory illnesses are of great concern to individuals in the workplace because contaminants in the air can be so easily spread and result in many health complications if left untreated. Common respiratory conditions found in the workplace in Bakersfield include:

• Occupational Asthma: this is triggered by exposure to allergens or irritants in the workplace. Common causes include dust, fumes, and chemicals.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): this includes conditions such as bronchitis and emphysema, often linked to long-term exposure to harmful substances such as dust, fumes, or vapor. COPD is commonly found in workers in construction, mining, or manufacturing.
• Pneumoconiosis: lung disease is caused by the inhalation of various types of dust, most notably silica and asbestos.
• Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): ILD is a disorder that affects the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs. Asbestos, silica, or other harmful particles can contribute to the development of ILD.

Contact a Bakersfield Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered health issues or injuries after being exposed to harmful substances, the attorneys at Maison Law can help. Our firm has years of experience protecting victims of harmful substances at work. We specialize in identifying all liable parties and will aggressively pursue fair compensation from them, as well as workers’ compensation, on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront charges and you don’t pay a cent until we’ve won your case.