Factories that produce a lot of metal and chemicals often have to use very high heat to melt and weld metals together in order to manufacture car frames, metal doors, furniture, and other day-to-day items we use around the home or in industrial settings. Metalworking is a high-risk job and workers often have to contend with occupational illnesses which must be mitigated as per the regulations proffered by OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Agency, a governmental agency tasked with the safety and wellbeing of workers across America in all industries. PPE or personal protective equipment plays a huge role in limiting an individual’s exposure to these chemicals and fumes, and regulations mandate that these areas be well-ventilated and that workers take regular breaks in order to prevent overexposure.

When metal is heated to extremely high temperatures, it has the characteristic of turning into vapor which can be inhaled. Because of its incompatibility with the human body, it may settle into the lungs and other vital organs and stay there indefinitely, leading to lung irritation, the development of autoimmune diseases, and other complications. Your employer is legally required to take reasonable steps to protect you from said exposure, failure to which he may be held liable should you develop health complications. With the right legal team by your side, you can recover compensation to help you pay for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of consortium and so much more: read on to find out how we can help you with this and so much more.

Are you looking for an experienced factory metal fume exposure lawsuit attorney? Please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. The experienced factory worker injury lawyers at McCready Law possess a wealth of experience spanning a collective 50 years where we’ve helped thousands of individuals just like you get compensated after getting injured by the negligent actions of other people or corporations. What sets us apart is our vast trial experience where we’ve taken multiple cases to court and won million-dollar verdicts for past clients, something that you will not find in most law firms owing to the fact that over 90 percent of all injury claims are settled out of the court system, but for a pennies to the dollar compared to those that do make it to court, where the payouts are substantial.

In addition to having a bilingual staff (hablamos Espanol), we also take on all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES for the duration of the processing of your claim, as we only levy our fees at the end of the process, and only if we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf. We serve a countrywide clientele, so please call us NOW at 312-444-0214  if you suffered lung damage after inhaling metallic fumes while working at a factory to receive your 100% FREE legal consultation from one of our compassionate and experienced workers’ compensation lawyers – our intake team is standing by.

What are Metal Fumes in a Factory Setting, and How are They Produced?

Loosely defined, metal fumes are metal particles released into the air when metal is heated to high temperatures. These metal particles can be an amalgamation of various metallic oxides such as zinc oxide, metal oxide, manganese oxide and so on. Metallic particles are injurious to human health, and when vaporized, they can access the bloodstream via the respiratory system, causing a host of complications.

Sources of Metal Fumes

Metal fumes can come from any of the following sources:

• Welding, which is the most prevalent or substantial source of metal fumes, especially in industries involved in repair and metal fabrication. Metal inert gas welding and arc welding are responsible for the generation of substantial fumes that are oxides of the metals that are being welded together.
• Grinding is yet another source of metal fumes, as tiny metal particles that have been vaporized during the abrasion process are released into the air, some of which include aluminum or high-carbon steel
• Soldering, a process often used in the manufacturing of electronics can be quite dangerous on account of the fact that solder is made of lead, and once it is melted by the application of heat, leads to the release of toxic lead oxide into the air. Lead is known for its neurotoxic effects, and may cause reproductive issues or cognitive impairments over time.
• Machining, where metal is drilled, milled or cut leads to the production of metal fumes and dust, launching these metals airborne, and causing those around these metals to inadvertently inhale them.

Inhaling fumes from any of the above sources can cause health complications.

Health Consequences of Inhaling Metal Fumes

Reversible Health Effects

Some of the common health consequences associated with the inhalation of metal fumes include:

• Metal fume fever, a condition which is seen within 4 to 12 hours of metal exposure, where the individual suffers chills, fever, fatigue, muscle cramps, and general malaise. These symptoms may mimic those that one experiences after catching the flu, so many individuals may be confused and alarmed.
• Respiratory distress, where the worker may experience wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath

Thankfully, metal fume fever is generally reversible once one removes themselves from the environment that may be contaminated by metal fumes.

Chronic Health Effects

Sustained metal fume exposure, however, can lead to chronic health effects such as:

• Chronic bronchitis is a condition that is characterized by persistent airway inflammation, eliciting a chronic cough that produces mucus and is worse when it’s cold, or difficulty breathing due to the narrowing and inflammation of the airways. If not managed properly, chronic bronchitis may lead to respiratory failure.
• Pneumoconiosis, which is a chronic condition one develops due to prolonged exposure to metal fumes, leads to lung fibrosis, characterized by the thickening and scarring of lung tissue. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, reduced lung function, and a persistent cough.
• Lung cancer is particularly seen in individuals who work in factories that process nickel, arsenic, and chromium owing to the carcinogenic properties of these metals. However, lung cancer due to metal fume inhalation may take decades to develop, so the causal link may be difficult to determine.

These chronic health effects can be devastating, and a skilled lawyer can help you receive compensation for your losses.

Suffered Health Complications After Exposure to Metal Fumes? Call Us Today!

If your employer did not follow OSHA regulations which led to you being exposed to metal fumes for a long period of time with no PPE or other preventative measures, you may be able to recover money damages for things like the cost of medical expenses such as ongoing surgery, medication, doctor’s appointments, imaging tests, home care costs, and so much more. In addition, you may be able to sue for lost wages due to the days you took time off to seek treatment and recover, pain and suffering due to the chronic pain, depression, and anxiety you experienced, loss of enjoyment of life, and many more. Please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation – the call is 100% FREE, and we serve all factory workers exposed to chemical fumes countrywide. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.