Toxic Exposure Lawyer in NYC
Ask anyone in the general public about the dangers faced by firefighters in New York, and most will respond with answers about burns, falls from heights and injuries caused by exertion. Few people are aware that exposure to hazardous chemicals is a major threat to the health and safety of New York’s Bravest. This is due in part to the fact that chemical exposure is not the most dramatic type of firefighter injury; the effects of inhaling or coming into contact with toxic substances will frequently not manifest for weeks, months, or even years after the incident. The delay in being able to identify symptoms also poses a challenge for attempting to recover financial compensation for an illness sustained in the line of duty since it may be difficult to accurately trace the condition back to the time and place where the exposure occurred.
Claiming Compensation For Chemical Exposure
If you have developed a respiratory disease, some form of cancer, or any other type of illness that you believe may be a result of your service as a firefighter, come to The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny for a free consultation. An attorney from our firm can meet with you to discuss your concerns and determine whether you may have grounds to file a claim for monetary damages. In the event that you are successful in taking legal action against those responsible for your exposure to chemicals, you could receive full compensation for all medical expenses associated with the illness, your lost income as a result of disability, and damages for your pain and suffering. Such damages can be recovered by the injured firefighter as well as surviving family members in the event of wrongful death.
Proving A Firefighter Toxic Tort
There are many ways that you could be eligible to claim compensation for your condition. For example, if you were ordered to operate under conditions that constituted a violation of a safety law or ordinance, you may have grounds to sue the department under General Municipal Law §205-a. If another party’s negligence is to blame for your exposure to asbestos, toxic fumes, or airborne carcinogens, General Obligations Law §11-106 may make it possible to sue the negligent party for damages. You also might be able to sue the manufacturer of faulty equipment such as a defective self-contained breathing apparatus that failed to protect you from smoke inhalation. Your attorney will have the task of investigating the case to find evidence to support your claim and attempting to prove the defendant in the case is at fault for causing the condition from which you now suffer.
For more information and a free case evaluation, call or email The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny.
