Lead Poisoning and Workplace Injuries

The connection between lead exposure and certain health conditions in children and adults has been known since the middle of the 20th century. This is why the use of lead-based paint in American homes was banned in 1978. But this ban did not require property owners to remove the lead-based paint that was already present in older structures and to this day, many Americans live and work in buildings where they are exposed to lead in the paint, products, and structures around them. If you suffer from a condition caused by lead exposure in your workplace, you could be able to recover compensation for your damages through a workplace injury claim. Your employer is tasked with keeping you safe while you perform your job and if your employer's negligence is the cause of your illness, the company may be held liable for your losses.

Lead, like asbestos, enters the body through the skin's pores and through the mouth and nasal passages by inhalation. It can also contaminate food and workers' clothing. Many of the same industries that put workers at risk of asbestos exposure also carry the threat of exposing individuals to lead. According to OSHA, the industries where American workers are most at risk of lead exposure are construction, manufacturing, transportation, and wholesale trade.

Companies can protect their workers from lead exposure by substituting alternate substances, such as zinc and plastic, for lead. Other ways to reduce or prevent lead exposure include ventilating workspaces and having workers wear protective equipment. Discuss these safety steps with your employer to see if it is possible to make your workplace less dangerous for employees.

The effects that lead exposure can have in children, such as developmental delays and learning disabilities, are fairly well known. But lead exposure can also harm adults in many ways, including:

• Hearing loss;
• Headache;
• Memory loss;
• Joint pain;
• Muscle pain;
• Abdominal pain;
• Reduced sperm count;
• Miscarriage or premature birth for pregnant women exposed to lead;
• Pain and numbness in the extremities;
• Decreased mental capacity;
• Mood disorders;
• Constipation; and
• High blood pressure.

It is often possible to treat conditions caused by lead exposure. For those whose blood contains relatively low levels of lead, avoiding or reducing exposure is often enough to make the symptoms of lead exposure go away. For individuals with higher levels of lead in their blood, certain types of therapy might be necessary. These include chelation and EDTA therapy. In extreme cases, the damage caused by lead can be too profound to completely reverse.

If you are suffering from an illness caused by lead exposure in your workplace, work with an experienced San Jose workplace accident attorney who can help you get the monetary compensation you deserve. At Corsiglia, McMahon, & Allard, L.L.P., we proudly serve clients throughout the Bay Area, San Mateo County, Alameda County, San Benito County, Monterey County, and Santa Clara County.

• Lead