There are many people who might exclaim that their job makes them sick. But what happens when this is not a frivolous remark but a statement of fact? Every year, many workers in New York are made seriously ill because of hazards in their work environment. For some, this danger is unknown, while others are aware of it, but believe they have been supplied with adequate protection.
Whatever the case, if you have been made ill by your job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. More importantly, you can also report this hazard so it can be dealt with before anyone else can be harmed. Some jobs are naturally hazardous and it is not always possible to avoid exposure to toxins or other harmful substances. However, your employer has a duty of care to provide you with the training and equipment to protect you from danger.
There are several methods that can be employed to protect you from known hazards, as this article on workplace safety explains. These include improving ventilation, providing masks or personal ventilators to employees, swapping out the hazardous substance for another material or even isolating the problem with a barrier. In some cases it may even be possible to access the substance using remote-controlled equipment.
If you have become ill as a result of carrying out your employment duties, you deserve to be heard. Furthermore, by speaking up you could protect future employees. An attorney may be able to help you challenge your employer and pursue the compensation and improved working environment that you deserve.
