Suffering an injury on the job can be devastating. This is especially true for lung injuries, which can keep you from maintaining employment or living your life to the fullest. You might be surprised to learn that you could be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim against your employer in these situations.
If you were hurt on the job, a Missouri City workplace lung injury attorney is here to help. With the right team behind you, recovering the maximum amount of available damages could be an option. Let a dedicated work attorney guide you step-by-step through the litigation process.
Lung Injuries Occurring at Work
Many work-related injuries involve a single traumatic incident. Broken bones can occur due to a fall, while amputation might result from being caught in a piece of heavy machinery. Lung injuries are typically different in that they occur as a result of long-term exposure to harmful chemicals or other substances.
Construction workers are at an increased risk of these conditions, given that they are more likely to be exposed to dust and particles that have harmful health consequences. The same is true for individuals who work in certain types of factories or other industrial industries. Anything from coal dust to the fumes from chemical agents can lead to lasting damage to a person’s lungs.
It can be difficult to link a lung injury to workplace conditions, especially when exposure occurred over a long period of time. The good news is that a Missouri City attorney can help build a viable case for compensation for your work-related lung injury.
Potential Employment-Related Lung Conditions
There are different potential conditions that can impact a person’s lungs, and many of them might stem form an incident at work. These illnesses and injuries vary, from moderate to life-threatening. Common examples include the following:
- Silicosis
- Asbestosis
- Byssinosis
- Occupational asthma
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Most of these conditions involve a worker inhaling dust or fibers that cause damage to the lungs or otherwise lead to difficulty breathing or chronic illnesses. For most people, it can take months or even years for this dangerous exposure to have life-threatening results.
Filing an Injury Suit Following a Lung Infection
There is a common misconception that it is not possible to pursue a personal injury claim after being hurt at work. In reality, Texas law provides for a path to a monetary award that most other states do not. The Texas non-subscriber law gives employers the choice to opt out of the workers’ compensation system. This decision can have far-reaching effects for someone hurt in an accident or exposed on the job.
When a company opts out of workers’ compensation coverage, it no longer has to make monthly premium payments. The downside for the business is that if someone gets hurt at work, they are potentially liable for an injury claim.
When it comes to employees, filing a lawsuit instead of a workers’ compensation claim can be a best-case scenario. Negligence lawsuits offer the potential for damages—including pain and suffering—that are not available through the workers’ compensation system. Instead of assuming that a civil suit for chemical exposure is not an option, speak to a Missouri City attorney right away after a lung injury.
Talk to a Lawyer in Missouri City About Workplace Lung Injuries
If you are living with a lung injury that is related to exposure to harmful substances at work, you may be entitled to compensation. While pursuing these claims on your own might seem impossible, the reality is that an attorney can help with everything from investigating your condition to identifying who is responsible for it. Call a Missouri City workplace lung injury lawyer right away to learn more about your options.
