Illinois Work Injury Attorney Shares Information on Work Related Skin Diseases

A person that has a skin disease that is caused by or made worse by his/her work can file a work injury lawsuit. Even if you had the skin disease prior to your job, if the skin disease became worse as a result of your job, then the company is liable. If this is the case, an Illinois work injury attorney can help you.

Skin diseases are generally caused or made worse by exposure to chemicals in the work place. Also, if you have your hands wet for long periods of time or you are in the sun for long periods of time, you may develop skin problems, such as: eczema, urticaria, or skin cancer. A Peoria work injury lawyer will be able to help you get compensation for this work injury.

While these are common skin diseases in specific jobs, these skin problems are actually preventable. With a few safety measures, you can avoid these serious skin diseases. Your employer is responsible for your safety. When you discuss these safety measures with your employer, remind him/her of this fact. Your safety and health should be your employer’s number one priority. If your employer will not listen to your concerns, just tell him you will be contacting your Illinois work injury attorney. When you threaten a work injury accident lawsuit, your employer’s attitude may change.

In order to make changes, you must first identify the different times when skin can come into contact with a chemical. Here are just a few instances when this can happen:

•    Hands and legs are sometimes immersed in chemicals.
•    The handling of contaminated work pieces
•    Workbench, tools, clothes, and containers are contaminated.
•    The splashing of chemicals during mixing
•    Airborne contaminants, such as cement dust
•    Constantly wet hands

Now that you are aware of the instances, take a look at these jobs that are high risk for skin diseases:

•    Catering
•    Healthcare
•    Printing
•    Hairdressing
•    Metal Machining
•    Motor vehicle repair
•    Construction

These are just a few of the high risk occupations. If you work in a place that is not listed above, but you are concerned with the materials you are handling, you may want to contact an Illinois work injury attorney. Your health is the most important thing. There are things a company can do to limit exposure or even eliminate exposure. If a company does not wish to take your safety seriously, then you owe it to yourself to contact a Peoria work injury lawyer for help.

Here are some things you can do to limit or eliminate the risk of skin diseases:

•    Avoid contact with unprotected hands.  
•    Substitute harmful products for something less harmful
•    Use tools or equipment that will keep your skin away from the harmful product.
•    Wear personal protective equipment, such as gloves.
•    Use mild skin cleaning cream.
•    Make sure to wash hands before eating and drinking.  
•    Wash contamination from skin right away.
•    Dry hands thoroughly
•    Moisturize the skin often.
•    Use or provide pre-work cream.
•    Check hands regularly for signs of itchy, dry or red skin.
•    Get medical attention immediately.
•    Use sunscreen and apply often.

The above steps are simple steps that an employer can do to avoid a work injury accident lawsuit, as well as protect their employees. Your employer should take your concerns seriously.  If not, then you have the right to protect yourself. Call a Peoria work injury lawyer for advice on how to handle this situation before you are diagnosed with a serious skin disease.