If you or a loved one sustained a serious oil or chemical spill injury, compensation could be available. To learn what your rights are, you should speak as soon as possible to an environmental claim lawyer.
Impact of an Oil or Chemical Spill Injury
Certain types of work increase the risk of an oil or chemical spill. Industrial factories, warehouses, shipyards, construction sites and oil refineries are just some examples. However, commercial sites could also be at risk.
No matter where the spill occurs, if it leads to injuries, compensation may be available. Seeking legal counsel is the best way to determine what your next step should be.
Some of the most difficult spills to clean come from oil and chemicals. Because of this, the impact they can have on the environment could be especially dangerous. Toxic fumes can be emitted into the air. Or if there is direct contact, it could lead to injuries.
Some of the injuries that can result from an oil or chemical spill include:
- brain damage;
- burns;
- vision problems;
- difficulty breathing; and
- death.
Additionally, some types of cancers and disorders that affect the central nervous system can be the result of exposure to an oil or chemical spill. The cost to treat these injuries can be expensive.
Damages Stemming from an Oil or Chemical Spill Injury
When you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries, you may face significantly high medical expenses. There may be future medical treatment required as well. In some cases you could be out of work for a long period of time or even indefinitely. All of these expenses and losses may be addressed through an environmental claim.
If an oil or chemical spill caused the death of a loved one, wrongful death benefits may be available. These could address not only medical expenses, but also the cost for a burial and funeral. Other damages may include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and more.
Liability in an Oil or Chemical Spill
Determining who is liable for any injuries sustained is generally easy; the company or business responsible for the spill usually is held responsible. Of course, there could be extenuating circumstances that may impact your case, so you will want to discuss the details of it with an environmental claim lawyer.
Additionally, if you or a loved one works in an industry where there is the potential for a spill, safety measures should be put in place. This could include protective gear, decontaminating affected areas and having an emergency plan in place should a spill happen.
A failure to provide these measures could lead to liability. This will depend on the responsible parties. In some cases, there may even be more than one party that can be held liable. Due to the complexity surrounding environmental claims, you will want to seek help from a lawyer who handles these types of cases on a regular basis.
Hiring an Environmental Claim Lawyer
Before you decide to proceed with a claim, you should first seek counsel from a lawyer who may decide that your case has enough merit that it justifies further investigation. If a lawyer decides to take your case, then you will want to make sure that you hire an experienced, knowledgeable environmental claim lawyer.
An environmental claim lawyer may assist you with the forms and paperwork that must be filled out in order to proceed with your case. He or she also may be able to assist with the collection of evidence that will be necessary not only to prove liability, but also show the severity and extent of your injuries.
Contacting an Environmental Claim Lawyer
When you have sustained a serious chemical spill injury or lost a loved one as a result of an oil or chemical spill, you are entitled to seek compensation for your damages and suffering. Consulting with an environmental claim lawyer can help you better understand your rights, determine liability for your injuries, and decide if filing an environmental claim is right for you.
At Gacovino Lake & Associates we have formed a dedicated network of environmental lawyers to serve clients nationwide. Our New York office serves residents of the 5 boroughs with their auto accident, medical malpractice, defective drug, premises liability, and Workers’ Compensation claims. For experienced help with your environmental claim, contact us today – 1-800-246-4878.
