Are You Seriously Ill or Have Cancer After Benzene Exposure?
Benzene is a chemical that practically surrounds us. It’s in the gasoline we burn, used to make other chemicals, and you inhale it in your home when you burn natural gas. Benzene is highly toxic and can cause cancer and serious problems with your blood. If benzene has severely injured you, you may be entitled to compensation for what you’re going through.
Kentucky Benzene Exposure Attorneys: Fighting for Cancer & Illness Victims
Satterley & Kelley PLLC attorneys in Louisville represent people in Kentucky and around the nation who have cancers and other diseases caused by asbestos and chemical exposure. Even if you’re unsure of how you were exposed, it’s not too early to begin discussing your potential legal claim to compensation for your medical costs, pain, suffering, and other damages.
What is Benzene?
Benzene is a colorless or light-yellow chemical that’s liquid at room temperature. This hydrocarbon, made of carbon and hydrogen atoms, smells sweet and is highly flammable. Benzene quickly evaporates and becomes airborne, but it is heavier than air and sinks to the ground. It also dissolves in water and will float on top of it.
Benzene is naturally formed and can be artificially created. Volcanoes release it, and forest fire smoke contains it. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s part of crude oil, gasoline, and tobacco smoke.
Benzene is commonly used in the US and is one of the top 20 chemicals produced by quantity. It is also used to create other chemicals, such as resins, plastics, nylon, and synthetic fibers.
It’s also used to manufacture:
- Detergents
- Drugs
- Dyes
- Lubricants
- Pesticides
- Rubber
Benzene was first isolated in the 1800s.
How Can I Be Exposed to Benzene?
Exposure can occur in several ways, typically through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. Inhalation is the most common means of exposure. The primary sources include the following:
- At work: Those in specific industries have a higher risk of exposure, including the petrochemical industry, gasoline distribution, rubber manufacture, and when working in laboratories where it’s used as a solvent
- The environment: You may inhale benzene contained in vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, tobacco smoke, while pumping gas, or at home when you burn natural gas without sufficient venting
- Household products: Some things containing benzene include adhesives, cleaning products, paint strippers, and glues
- Contaminated water or soil: Benzene from leaking tanks at industrial plants can leach into the soil and then into groundwater
Given how common benzene use is, you may be exposed to it in several ways without being aware of it.
Why is Benzene Dangerous?
Benzene is toxic primarily because it disrupts the normal functioning of cells, including the following ways:
- Bone marrow: It interferes with the bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells (causing anemia), white blood cells (weakening your immune system), and platelets (increasing the risk of uncontrolled bleeding)
- DNA: Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans. It damages chromosomes and disrupts the natural regulation of cells, resulting in mutations that cause cancer. Benzene damage can lead to leukemia, a blood-related cancer
- Central nervous system: High concentrations (usually via inhalation) can depress your nervous system and cause dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, confusion, and loss of consciousness
Some effects can happen quickly due to high levels of exposure, while other problems may take years to develop.
What are My Rights If Benzene Severely Injures Me?
If you’re diagnosed with a benzene-related cancer or other illness, you may be entitled to compensation for all you’ve endured as a result. This can include pain, suffering, lost wages, medical bills, psychological and emotional effects, and the impact on your relationships with others.
If you’re interested in obtaining compensation, you need a law firm with experience representing victims who take legal action against companies that injure others with the toxic substances they sell. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys have helped injury victims for more than 20 years.
We have relationships with the best experts in the world to help us prove that benzene caused your injury and the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial harm you suffered.
Call Our Benzene Exposure Lawyers Today For A Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or another severe illness after benzene exposure, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your hardship. Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation with a Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyer.