Personal Injury Law

Eight People Sent to Hospitals After They Are Exposed to Toxic Chemical at Ro-Corp Plant in Illinois

Eight people were taken to the hospital on Saturday after they got sick when nitroaniline was released into a Ro-Corp plant in Illinois. The exposure happened when a barrel filled with the chemical was dropped.

Contrary to earlier media reports, no one was killed from being exposed to the chemical during the work accident. Two hospital emergency rooms in Missouri had to be quarantined, however, because the workers sought medical help.

The chemical nitroaniline is often used in making antioxidants, dyes, gasoline, pharmaceuticals, and poultry medications. Exposure to the toxic chemical can lead to diarrhea, convulsions, irritability, vomiting, anemia, tachycardia, dyspnea, tachypnea, cyanosis, ataxia, methemoglobinemia, respiratory arrest, and chronic cumulative liver damage.

Work Injuries and Illnesses
The owners and managers of plants, factories, construction sites, and other areas where workers do their jobs are supposed to make sure that employees are equipped with the proper safety equipment, the proper safety procedures are followed, and there are no unsafe conditions that exist on a premise that can cause serious injury, illness, or death.

Workers that are injured on the job cannot sue their employers but they are entitled to workers? compensation benefits, as well as personal injury compensation from liable third parties.

8 sickened by chemical exposure at plant in Ill., WTOP, August 31, 2008

Authorities: Did Ro-Corp. workers follow proper procedures?, BND, September 3, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Nitroaniline

US Department of Labor

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on September 03, 2008 (boomark / email).