Liver cancer is a life-threatening condition that has been relatively rare but has been becoming more common in recent years. About 1% of Americans will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
Liver cancer can cause nausea, jaundice, fatigue, weight loss, and other symptoms. Over time, it can spread to other parts of the body and can eventually lead to loss of life for the patient.
This form of cancer can be caused by genetics, lifestyle choices that cause liver damage, and other factors. However, it can also be caused by workplace exposure. If you’ve been diagnosed and suspect that your occupation may be the cause, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. You may also want to contact out family-founded law firm if doctors were slow to diagnose your cancer. In your free accident consultation, you can talk to a Florida personal injury attorney about whether you may have a workers’ compensation claim, medical malpractice claim, or any options for seeking compensation.
Workplace Hazards and Liver Cancer
A few workplace factors can contribute to an increased risk of liver cancer:
- Chemical exposure. Aflatoxin, often used in agricultural industries as well as vinyl-chloride, used in the production of plastics, are both linked to liver cancer. Workplace exposure to arsenic, N-nitrosamines, and insecticide DDT may also lead to liver cancer.
- Hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis B and C are bloodborne pathogens. Healthcare workers and caregivers can be exposed to these illnesses on the job. Hepatitis B and C can cause liver infections and liver damage, which can increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Exposure to heavy metals. Occupations that have exposure to materials such as cadmium and mercury as well as other heavy metals may have a higher risk of liver cancer.
These exposures can be especially common in mining, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and construction, and waste disposal industries, though workers in other sectors may also be at risk.
Workers’ Rights and Workers’ Compensation
In Florida, workplaces are supposed to be safe. Employers should reduce the risk of workplace exposures and dangers by complying with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, offering personal protective equipment and safety training, warning employees about workplace dangers, and taking other reasonable steps to prevent harm to workers.
If a worker develops liver cancer due to occupational exposures, whether or not their employer took steps to protect them, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Florida. However, proving a direct link between workplace exposures and cancer is difficult. This just isn’t a situation you want to take on by yourself. That’s why you may want to call Flaxman Law Group, to speak to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can help you navigate the complexities of these claims.
In a free accident consultation, an attorney from Flaxman Law Group can explain whether you have a claim, how much a potential claim may be worth, and what the process of seeking compensation might look like. Armed with this knowledge, you may be in a better position to plan for the future. So contact Flaxman Law Group for your free accident consultation today.