Chemical Burn Injury Lawsuits
Sulfuric acid ranks among the most dangerous industrial chemicals, capable of causing catastrophic injuries within seconds of contact. Workers exposed to this corrosive substance face life-altering burns, respiratory damage, and permanent disfigurement. When employers, manufacturers, or property owners fail to implement proper safety measures, victims have legal recourse to pursue compensation for their suffering.
According to estimates from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), more than 775,000 U.S. workers may work around sulfuric acid.
Workers may find sulfuric acid at the job in chemical or metal plating industries, as well as at companies producing detergents, soaps, fertilizers, or lead-acid batteries; printing and publishing, and photography shops.
In occupational settings, inhaling sulfuric acid mists or touching it are the most likely ways workers are injured by sulfuric acid. People living near hazardous waste sites are at greater risk of exposure by breathing contaminated air.
Workers or consumers may also be burned by sulfuric by touching the material on a car battery. Car mechanics could be a higher-then-average risk. Maintenance crew may also face an occupational risk as sulfuric acid is formed when some toilet bowl cleaners are mixed with water.
Exposure is very dangerous and can cause serious harm to the skin or internal organs, most notably the lungs during inhalation.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Toxic Tort Attorney and sulfuric acid burn injury lawyer, representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of workplace injury claims.
Industrial Uses of Sulfuric Acid
Sulfuric acid is one of the most commonly used chemicals in the world. The largest amount of sulfuric acid is used to make fertilizers. It is also widely used in metal processing, in the manufacture of copper and zinc and in the rust removal of steel sheet metal. It is used in the following industries, products and applications:
- Fertilizers
- Pharmaceuticals
- Gasoline
- Automobile batteries
- Sugar bleaching
- Water treatment
- Steel manufacturing
- Dyes and Coloring agents
- Papers and pulp
- Cellophane
- Detergents
- Explosives
- Herbicides
- Iron and steel pickling
- Jet Fuel
- Kerosene
- Leather
- Lubricating oils
- Medicinal processes
- Oil additives
- Rayon
- Rubber
- Synthetic fibers
- Veterinary drugs
- Oil Refining
- Metal Processing—pickling
- Agricultural Harvesting
- Drain Cleaner
Safety Hazards of Sulfuric Acid Exposure
Sulfuric acid and other common industrial acids are very corrosive and irritating to the skin, eyes, respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts when there is direct exposure. Breathing sulfuric acid mists can result in tooth erosion and permanent respiratory tract damage.
Chemical burns are very serious injuries. Drinking concentrated sulfuric acid can burn the mouth and throat, and it can perforate the stomach, possibly resulting in death. People have been blinded by sulfuric acid when it makes contact with the eyes.
Chemical Exposure Injury
Sulfuric acid is very corrosive to tissue, particularly the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. Inhalation injuries have been reported in a number of industries including construction, chemical and fertilizer production, shipyards, paper and pulp, agriculture, steel production, and oil refining. Common toxin-related injuries include:
- Changes in lung function and capacity
- Persistent cough
- Dental erosion
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Laryngeal Cancer
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary edema
- Upper and lower respiratory tract irritation
- Eye, nose, throat, bronchial, and skin irritation
Sulfuric Acid Exposure & Health Problems
Workers who have breathed high concentrations of sulfuric acid at the workplace have shown an increase in cancers of the larynx. The EPA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have not classified sulfuric acid for carcinogenic effects, however, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) believes evidence is sufficient enough to state that occupational exposure to mists containing sulfuric acid may cause cancer. Lungs are likely to be affected by repeated or prolonged exposure to an aerosol of any industrial acid.
Employers around the country have a duty to protect and warn workers from the known risks of workplace chemicals and toxins. Should any worker be injured on the job and suffer from an accident related to sulfuric acid exposure, a successful claim against an employer may be filed. To investigate a workplace injury or accident, contact the Lyon Firm.
The Lyon Firm is dedicated to protecting workers and improving the overall safety of America’s workplaces by holding negligent companies and employers accountable for any preventable injury that occurs at a work site. When employers fail to provide workers with necessary safety gear and protective equipment, they may be held liable in personal injury lawsuits.
The Devastating Effects of Sulfuric Acid Contact
This highly corrosive chemical immediately destroys human tissue upon contact, causing severe chemical burns that penetrate deep into skin layers. Unlike thermal burns, acid injuries continue causing damage until the substance is completely neutralized and removed.
Skin exposure results in painful burns, permanent scarring, and potential loss of function in affected areas. Facial contact can destroy features, damage eyesight, or cause complete blindness. Inhalation of sulfuric acid vapors burns airways and lungs, leading to chronic respiratory conditions or acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Even brief exposure creates medical emergencies requiring immediate intervention. Delayed treatment allows acid to cause progressively deeper tissue destruction, increasing the likelihood of permanent disability and disfigurement. Victims often endure multiple surgeries, extensive skin grafting, and years of rehabilitation.
ABOUT THE LYON FIRM
Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.
Identifying Liable Parties in Chemical Exposure Cases
Multiple parties may bear responsibility for sulfuric acid injuries. Employers have legal obligations to maintain safe workplaces, provide appropriate protective equipment, implement proper ventilation systems, and train workers on chemical hazards.
Manufacturers face liability when defective equipment, inadequate warning labels, or faulty containers contribute to exposure incidents. Chemical suppliers must ensure proper labeling, provide safety data sheets, and verify that purchasers understand handling requirements.
Property owners who allow sulfuric acid on their premises without implementing security measures or posting warnings may be held accountable for resulting injuries. Transportation companies must follow strict regulations governing hazardous material shipment and properly maintain containment systems.