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Benzene Poisoning Compensation Claim
What is Benzene?
Information about Benzene
Dangers of Exposure to Benzene
How to prevent Benzene Poisoning
Am I at risk of being exposed to Benzene?
People at risk from Benzene exposure
Symptoms of Benzene Poisoning
Health effects of Benzene Exposure
Diagnosis and Treatment of Benzene Poisoning
Medical steps to take after exposure to Benzene
Benzene Poisoning Compensation Claim Advice
Start a claim for injuries caused by Benzene exposure
What is Benzene?
Information about Benzene
Benzene is a colourless, clear, flammable liquid. It is found naturally in crude oil, natural gas and in some groundwaters. It is also manufactured from crude oil and is present in crude oil vapours. Benzene evaporates into the air very quickly and partially dissolves in water. It has a sweet odour. Benzene is commonly found in industrial processes and it can make its way, via this route, into the environment.
Benzene has large scale industrial and commercial use if strictly controlled. It has been used as a solvent in adhesives and paint removers, in the rubber and shoe industry and smaller amounts of benzene are used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, explosives, and pesticides.
Unfortunately, Benzene is extremely poisonous and if you are exposed to Benzene, you may be able to make a Benzene Poisoning compensation claim.
Dangers of Exposure to Benzene
How to prevent Benzene Poisoning
If there is a possible risk of benzene exposure at work, your employer is required by law to take the precautions to protect you. Benzene should not be inhaled and it is important that contact with the skin is avoided. Proper ventilation equipment and personal protective equipment should be provided.
Benzene is subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. These impose obligations on employers. Employers must assess the risks to workers’ health and eliminate or control benzene exposure. Risk Assessments should be drawn up and protective measures should be adopted to minimise and control benzene exposure. These measures include implementing a monitoring programme to check workers’ exposure and ensuring that workers have regular health checks. Workers should have access to properly maintained protective equipment and be provided with training in its use. Employers should prevent exposure to benzene and should try and eliminate its use altogether. If they cannot do this, then they must properly control exposure, reducing workers’ exposure as far as is reasonably practicable. At the very least employers must keep exposure to benzene below the workplace exposure limit of 1 ppm (part-per-million) averaged over an 8-hour working day. This is equivalent to one drop of benzene in 40 gallons of water.
The Approved Codes of Practice made under the COSHH Regulations contain further detailed information.
The Health and Safety Executive can also provide further information on benzene exposure.
If you have been exposed to benzene at work, you may be able to make a Benzene Poisoning claim for damages.
Am I at risk of being exposed to Benzene?
People at risk from Benzene exposure
People can be exposed to benzene at work. This usually happens if they are employed in oil refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants, coke works; and in the storage, distribution and use of petrol or benzene. The use of benzene is now very strictly controlled; however, accidents can and do happen.
A person may be exposed to benzene whilst at work if they have not been issued with the necessary protective clothing and members of the public could be exposed to it due to a spillage or inadequate safety measures during disposal / incineration. Benzene can be absorbed into your body by breathing in air containing benzene vapour; through your skin and by swallowing material containing benzene.
Benzene needs to be distinguished from the less toxic chemical benzine.
If you have been exposed to Benzene you may be able to make a Benzene Poisoning compensation claim.
Symptoms of Benzene Poisoning
Health effects of Benzene Exposure
Exposure to Benzene can cause serious health problems. The effects depend on how much benzene you are exposed to, and for how long. It can also depend upon the age and pre-existing medical condition of the exposed person.
Benzene can cause death if inhaled in very large amounts. At lesser, although still high levels, a person may develop the following symptoms: drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. These symptoms may occur very quickly.
Eating or drinking foods containing high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, irritation of the stomach, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, and death. Direct exposure of the eyes, skin, or lungs to benzene can cause tissue injury and irritation.
Benzene causes problems in the blood. People who breathe benzene for long periods (chronic exposure) may experience harmful effects in the tissues that form blood cells. Benzene can cause bone marrow not to produce enough red blood cells and this can lead to aplastic anaemia. It can also result in excessive bleeding and depress the immune system, increasing the chance of infection.
Benzene is a human carcinogen and long-term exposure to high levels may cause leukaemia, a potentially fatal cancer of the blood-forming organs.
If you have been exposed to Benzene, you may be entitled to make a Benzene Poisoning claim for compensation.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Benzene Poisoning
Medical steps to take after exposure to Benzene
If you suspect that you may have been exposed to benzene, you should seek medical advice immediately. Simple tests will be able to establish if you have been affected by the benzene at all and treatment is available to limit the damage caused.
Benzene levels can be measured in the breath shortly after exposure. Benzene can also be measured in the blood but it disappears from the bloodstream quickly so, to be accurate, the tests have to be conducted very quickly following exposure.
Blood production may return to normal after exposure to benzene stops. There is no antidote for benzene poisoning but treatment may be offered for the symptoms. Exposure should stop immediately. Chronically exposed patients whose blood results do not return to normal after exposure ends may be referred to a haematologist or oncologist. Chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants are options for leukaemia and aplastic anaemia, respectively.
If you have been harmed after an exposure to Benzene you may be able to make a Benzene Poisoning compensation claim.
Benzene Poisoning Compensation Claim Advice
Start a claim for injuries caused by Benzene exposure
If you or anyone you know has developed benzene poisoning, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
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