Hydrocarbon Poisoning Claims
Hydrocarbons are chemical compounds often found in paint thinners, petroleum products, and adhesives. They are produced during industrial processes such as wood burning, production of some plastics and dyes, and medicines. During this process, they release strong fumes and can be very harmful if they are inhaled or ingested.
Persons at risk of exposure to hydrocarbon poisoning include workers in the oil, paint, and motor industry. Since hydrocarbons can also be found in solvents, cleaning products, and refrigerants, exposure may be accidental at the workplace.
Hence, it is important for an employer to take necessary measures in order to prevent or minimize exposure for the protection of employees.
This can be achieved by properly storing products that contain hydrocarbon using clearly marked containers and providing optimal ventilation in the workplace whenever hydrocarbons are used.
Symptoms of Hydrocarbon Poisoning
Hydrocarbons pollute the air causing respiratory problems to workers. Since they are also carcinogenic, affected persons may suffer from liver, bladder, and lung cancer as a result of exposure. The symptoms of hydrocarbon poisoning include:
- Breathing difficulty
- Kidney damage
- Burning sensation in the stomach
- Lung irritation
- Coughing and even choking
- Brain injury
- Cardiac arrest
When the level of hydrocarbon poisoning is excessive, an affected individual may experience permanent brain damage, severe injuries, or even death. Workers in industries where hydrocarbon products are free flowing may suffer lung damage or irritation and this may lead to pneumonia due to the inhalation or ingestion of the pollutant.
Your Employer’s responsibility for your Safety
If you are working in an environment where you may be exposed to hydrocarbons, it would be important for your employer to strictly comply with the Health and Safety guidelines. This will also include the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. If your employer fails to comply to these guidelines, this would mean negligence – you can make a personal injury compensation claim in this case.
It is the responsibility of your employer to provide Personal Protective Clothing (PPE). This could include respiratory mask, industrial boots, protective clothing, and protective clothing. In addition, your employer must ensure risk assessment is carried out regularly. This will help them assess the quality of the working conditions and ensure proper measures are taken to provide adequate ventilation and prevent exposure to hydrocarbon poisoning.
Compensation Claim for Hydrocarbon Poisoning
If you have been exposed to hydrocarbon in the workplace, leaving you in a difficult position with negative impact on the quality of your life, you can make compensation claim for personal injury. If you have already paid medical assistance bills from your pocket, this too will be part of your compensation claim. Compensation will be important in your quest for better health and survival. It would also help you improve psychologically, knowing that you have received justice. Our claim specialists at Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd are experts in hydrocarbon poisoning cases; hence, we are in the best position to provide the help you need to receive what you deserve.
Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd has been helping clients with different personal injury cases – we understand how difficult your situation may be – and we will help you too. We can also advise bereaved families who lost their loved one as a result of exposure to hydrocarbon at the workplace on how to make a compensation claim.
Since workers and bereaved ones only have a period of three years from the date of medical diagnosis to make a compensation claim, our claim specialists at Claim Solutions Scotland Ltd advice claimants to contact us as soon as possible after the diagnosis so we can discuss the details of the hydrocarbon poisoning compensation claim. Feel free to contact us any time – we would be happy to assist you.
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