Lung Disease
Offshore Injury Lawyer
Free Consultations – Available 24/7
The physical nature of working on an offshore comes with assumed risks. Often overlooked, and more difficult to avoid, is exposure to hazardous or toxic substances. This is a risk that is not uncommon in an industry that often deals with oil and natural gases. Many workers suffer injury from inhalation and exposure to chemical fumes, vapors or even the product itself. If you or a loved one is living with offshore lung disease, contact The Carlson Law Firm to speak with an expert offshore lung disease lawyer.
Not only does our firm have more than 40 years of experience representing injured clients—we also have top maritime injury attorney Reed Morgan. Morgan has achieved several significant trial victories and settlements for victims of toxic exposure that resulted in lung disease. If you have been injured on the job, contact our firm today. We have an offshore lung disease lawyer ready to answer your questions. Our firm will advocate for your rights and hold the right parties accountable for your injury.
What is Lung Disease?
Lung disease is, essentially, any problem that prevents the lungs from functioning properly. Lung disease classification breaks down as follows:
Airway diseases. These types of diseases affect tubes that allow for breathing. They usually cause a narrowing or blockage of the airways. Those with airway disease describe feeling like they’re trying to breath through a straw. Examples of this disease include asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis.
Lung tissue diseases. Lung tissue disease affects the structure of lung tissue. Scarring and inflammation of the tissue prohibit lungs from fully expanding. As a result, deep breathing is not likely for those living with a lung tissue disease. Those with lung tissue diseases describe feeling like wearing a too tight sweater or vest. Examples of this type of lung disease include pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.
Lung circulation diseases. These diseases affect the blood vessels in the lungs. Often, clotting, scarring or inflammation in the blood vessels indicate this condition. These diseases affect the ability of the lungs to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide and often affect heart function. One example of lung circulation disease is pulmonary hypertension.
Offshore workers risk exposure to a number of toxic chemicals and hazardous materials. Workers are at risk of inhaling these dangerous substances and developing serious lung diseases. If you are living with lung disease or know someone who is, contact The Carlson Law Firm to discuss your case. An offshore lung disease lawyer can guide you through the legal process.
Risks to Offshore Exposure
The most common disease derived from exposure to these hazardous materials is lung disease. There is common exposure to benzene, hydrogen sulfide, acid, and crude oils as well. All are toxic chemicals, often inhaled while on offshore vessels and platforms and can manifest in the lungs in damaging ways.
If you or someone you know has been exposed to these, our team of offshore hazardous materials The Carlson Law Firm can help protect your rights.
Lung disease is not the only effect of toxic chemical inhalation. In 2013, the exposure to harmful substances resulted in 12.5 percent of fatal injuries in the oil and gas industry. These deaths stem from multiple pleural diseases, which is a disease that more specifically affects the lungs in adverse ways.
Various diseases and side effects from exposure to toxic materials on oil rigs include:
- Pleural effusion, a buildup of fluid in the lungs
- Pneumothorax, also known as collapsed lung
- Lung cancer and lung infections
- Shortness of breath, coughing
- Buildup of blood in lungs
The seriousness of these side effects and the resulting diseases from exposure to these hazardous and toxic materials requires that workers act fast. Symptoms of exposure can sometimes take decades to physically reveal themselves. There are strict maritime laws that protect workers that are vulnerable to the dangerous working conditions found on offshore drilling platforms.
Common Risks to Offshore Workers
Any natural gas or oil is considered a hazardous material. If not already apparent from the oil spill disaster of 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, the effect that these materials can have on organisms is damaging. Prolonged exposure to these materials can cause serious illness, and the inhalation of fumes generated during the drilling process has been known to cause disease. The National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2013 reported that at least 7 percent of injuries were a result of “exposure to harmful substances or environments.”
What is Silicosis?
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing tiny bits of silica, a mineral that is part of sand, rock and mineral ores. In addition to toxic chemicals, offshore workers are at risk of developing this form of lung disease. Maritime workers who use sandblasters or clean rust are exposed to crystalline silica dust.
Silicosis classifies as a carcinogen and can lead to:
- Lung cancer
- Bronchitis/Chronix Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
- Tuberculosis
- Scleroderma
- Incresases risk for renal disease
Symptoms of silicosis
- Shortness of breath
- Possible fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Chest pain
- Dry, nonproductive cough
- Respiratory failure
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is not actually a chemical but is instead a bundle of fibers that naturally occurs. It is part of a group of minerals found in soil and rock around the world. It is made of mostly silicon and oxygen but also contains other elements. There are two mineral families of asbestos and both have been linked to cancer.
- Serpentine asbestos (white asbestos), is the most common type of asbestos used in industrial applications. Chrysotile is the only type of asbestos from the serpentine family. It gets its name, serpentine, from its spiral appearance under a microscope.
- Amphibole asbestos have straight and needle-like fibers. There are several types of amphibole fiber.
Because of the nature of their jobs, offshore workers routinely risk exposure to potentially dangerous situations and materials—including pipe insulation. Because it is a natural flame retardant, many offshore installations and ships were built using asbestos as an insulation. Work conditions alone put many workers at risk, but many workers don’t consider the long-term risks associated with the materials and chemicals they are around.
If you or a loved one are suffering from an offshore lung disease caused by asbestos, contact our firm today. Set up a free consultation with a qualified offshore lung disease lawyer.
PREVENTING MARITIME TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
As stated above, employers have a responsibility to protect employees from potential harm. By implementing proper safety controls, companies can decrease an employee’s chances of getting cancer from maritime toxic chemical exposure. In fact, OSHA has a long-standing policy that an employer’s implementation of work practice and engineering must be the basis of reducing employee exposure to toxic chemicals. Further, OSHA requires respiratory protection whenever basic work practice and engineering doesn’t prevent maritime toxic chemical exposure. For that reason, OSHA provides the information below for employer knowledge.
OSHA’s Chemical Exposure Effectiveness Measures
Elimination or Substitution
As demonstrated by the graph, elimination and substitution is the ideal prevention method. An example of eliminating or substituting is transitioning to a safer chemical for employees to handle.
Engineer Controls
The second tier in the order of preventing exposure to toxic chemicals. This involves implementing a physical change in the workplace which eliminates or reduces the hazards during an employer’s task. As a result, employers can change the process to minimize contact with toxic chemicals, isolate or enclose the process, use film hoods and other strategies.
Administrative and Work Practice Controls
Moving down the list, when a company implements administrative and work practice controls establish efficient process or procedures. For example, this can include rotating job assignments or adjusting employee schedules to avoid overexposure to toxic chemicals.
Personal Protective Equipment
The most basic of preventive measures simply requires employees handling toxic equipment to wear something. Examples include eyewear, gloves, respiratory protection or chemical protective clothing.
If your employer did not implement these measures to protect you from maritime toxic chemical exposure, contact The Carlson Law Firm to speak with a qualified offshore lung disease lawyer.
How The Carlson Law Firm Can Help
Working aboard ships and other offshore facilities is a risky and demanding occupation. Workers risk exposure to many hazards that can lead to physical injuries or illnesses that develop years down the line. Because of this, federal law requires that companies protect their employees from potential hazards. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. For many offshore work employees, symptoms of the illness caused by your maritime toxic chemical exposure may not begin until decades after the initial exposure. However, the law still entitles you to certain protections. Your company may be required to help you or your family pay for medical bills and other damages as a result of their negligence. A qualified offshore cancer lawyer can help you determine what your next steps are.
At The Carlson Law Firm, we believe in signature customer service. This means that we put our clients needs ahead of our own, always. Our compassionate offshore lung disease attorneys will help you get the medical treatment you need to live comfortably. We have a staff of experienced trial attorneys and case managers is available 24/7 to answer any questions you might have about filing your lawsuit.
There is no cost to you to speak with us. The Carlson Law Firm works on a contingent fee basis. We only recover our fees if you receive compensation.
During your free legal consultation, we’ll answer your questions and provide clear advice on the next steps to take.
