Today there are laws and strict guidelines regarding exposure to toxic chemicals on the job, with many safeguards in place. But in the late 1960s, many workers were unaware of the hazards, and the same level of care was not taken to protect them. Sadly, even today workers continue to be exposed to dangerous substances, despite the laws are designed to protect workers.
Shein Law recently represented a worker who served as a seaman and crew member on several Merchant Marine vessels between 1968 and 1972. During the performance of his duties, the worker was exposed to toxic chemicals, including significant levels of benzene.
According to the American Cancer Society, benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid that is formed from natural processes, like volcanoes and forest fires. However, most exposure to benzene comes from human activities. It is typically used as a starting material when producing other chemicals, including lubricants, plastics, rubbers, dyes, detergents, pesticides, drugs, and more. It is one of the 20 most widely used chemicals. In the past, it was also commonly used as an industrial solvent. Benzene is known to cause cancer.
In 2017, our client was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, which has been linked with exposure to benzene. Sadly, he recently passed away from his occupational illness. The outcome of his lawsuit is still pending.
If you or someone you love has suffered an illness due to exposure to toxic substances on the job, please call our legal team at Shein Law at 1-877-SHEINLAW (743-4652) or contact us online to speak to a dedicated member of our team. We will thoroughly review the facts of your case to determine who is at fault for your exposure, and fight for your rights to the financial compensation you deserve. Our offices are centrally located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey. We protect the rights of victims exposed to toxic chemicals, including asbestos, throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.