Blog > Car Accidents > Categories > What is Neuropathy? What is Neuropathy? Posted by Nemanja on Sep 01, 2023 Neuropathy is a collection of disorders that happens when the nerves of the peripheral nervous system are damaged. The peripheral system includes nerves that are outside the brain and spinal cord. The condition normally occurs after a person suffers damage to the nerve axons. This damage can come from traumatic injuries, metabolic disorders, dangerous toxins, or infections. One of the most common forms of neuropathy is diabetes. So what is neuropathy? Neuropathy can affect the nerves that cause muscle movement, essentially paralyzing parts of the victim’s body. As well, the illness can affect the sensory nerves, making it unable for a person to feel temperatures or textures. It can also eliminate a person’s ability to feel pain in the affect areas, which can be dangerous. In some cases, neuropathy can even affect the internal organs like the intestines, blood vessels, or heart. These cases of the condition can be extremely serious. Those that have neuropathy often describe a tingling or burning sensation in the affected areas. About 20 million United States residents suffer from neuropathy, and over half of all diabetes patients are also diagnosed with this condition. The condition is categorized under three main categories: mononeuropathy, multiple mononeuropathy, and polyneuropathy. While about 30% of all neuropathy cases are idiopathic, there are times that the condition can be attributed to a specific injury or accident. For example, trauma or pressure on nerves can cause the condition. Some people report that they have developed neuropathy after continuously typing on a keyboard. Others claim that a collision, such as a car accident or pedestrian accident caused trauma to the nerves and resulted in neuropathy. Also, some patients get the illness after they are exposed to toxins such as heavy metals or certain medications. If you have developed neuropathy due to another person’s carelessness or negligence, then you have the right to contact a New York personal injury attorney today for more information. You may be able to sue for the past and future damages associated with your condition! Tags Share
Blog > Chemical Exposure > Categories > Warning: Hair Straightening Products May Produce Formaldehyde Warning: Hair Straightening Products May Produce Formaldehyde Posted by Nemanja on Sep 01, 2023 According to research by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and associated parties, some hair straightening products may produce formaldehyde. The FDA recently issued a warning letter to the importer and distributor of Brazilian Blowout Acai Professional Smoothing Solution, claiming that the product contained methylene glycol. This chemical can prompt the release formaldehyde when it is used, despite the fact that the company claimed that the product was formaldehyde free. The OSHA programs are still investigating the dangers of formaldehyde exposure in salons. Allegedly, hair smoothing products like Brazilian Blowouts and Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy can carry formaldehyde or produce formaldehyde at levels that could be dangerous. This is especially true for salon workers who are working with these hair smoothing treatments every day. OSHA tested the air at various salons while hairstylists were applying blowout and smoothing treatments and discovered that he formaldehyde level went up. This even happened when the workers used products that claimed they were formaldehyde free. Air tests in many salons showed that the formaldehyde level exceeded the OSHA’s limits for use in salons. The administration has already reached out to many product manufacturers to discuss the false labeling on packages and the danger of formaldehyde exposure. The first reports about this issue surfaced when a salon worker in Oregon said that he was suffering from nosebleeds, eye irritation, and had trouble breathing every time he performed a Brazilian Blowout treatment on a client. Salon workers are exposed to formaldehyde through inhalation, eye contact or skin contact. As well, those that eat food or touch their face after using a formaldehyde product can suffer from these same symptoms. Formaldehyde is considered a sensitizer which means that it can cause serious allergic reactions of the skin, eyes and lungs. Victims may experience asthma-like symptoms or skin rashes after exposure. It is also a cancer hazard. If you are a salon worker who has been exposed to high levels of formaldehyde then you need to talk to a New York personal injury lawyer for representation. You may be able to seek compensation from an employer or a product manufacturer who put you in danger. Learn more by contacting Greenberg & Stein today! Tags Share
Blog > Chemical Exposure > Categories > Sparklers Present Serious Dangers Sparklers Present Serious Dangers Posted by Nemanja on Sep 01, 2023 Sparklers are now a popular accessory at weddings and thousands of Americans purchase sparklers for the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, these sparklers are not as safe as some assume that they are. The widespread use of sparklers may seem to be a depiction that they are very safe to use, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Medical personnel say that many victims come into emergency rooms every year after suffering eye injuries from using sparklers. The sparks coming off of these rods can enter the eye, and chemicals will start to deteriorate the eye tissue promptly. The tip of a sparkler can heat up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and the alkaline chemicals will eat away at the eye in moments. Shockingly, about half of all fireworks injuries are head injuries, and 30% of all head injuries are eye injuries. About one-fourth of all fireworks-related eye injuries result in permanent vision loss of blindness. One ophthalmologist says that every single Fourth of July he has to treat individuals for sparkler burns to the eye. He says that victims always come to the emergency room in excruciating pain. Sparklers present serious dangers. In addition to eye injuries, some individuals will suffer hand injuries from the sparklers. Again, the burning part of the sparkler can heat up to 2,000 Fahrenheit which means that there is extreme potential for a burn injury. A person who tries to grasp the wrong end of the sparkler, or someone who is hit by the flaming rod can be severely burned. If you want more information about sparkler injuries and seeking compensation in a personal injury lawsuit for an accident of this nature, then you need to talk to an attorney at Greenberg & Stein today. At this firm there are New York personal injury lawyers who can investigate your sparkler injury and may be able to help you seek damages for your injuries! Tags Share
Blog > Chemical Exposure > Categories > Hexavalent Chromium Exposure in the Workplace Hexavalent Chromium Exposure in the Workplace Posted by Nemanja on Sep 01, 2023 Individuals who work at plants and factories may be at risk for hexavalent chromium exposure. This is a dangerous chemical that can come in the form of dust, mist, or fumes. Individuals can suffer from exposure if they inhale the fume or if the dust settles on their skin or eyes. The OSHA says that Hexavalent Chromium is a toxic element of chromium that can cause serious injuries. The chemical is man-made and is used widely in a variety of different industries. Most often, workers will find hexavalent chromium in chromate pigments that are in dyes, paints, inks and plastics. Sometimes the compounds can also be found in anti-corrosive agents and chrome plating. In addition, the fume can be present in places where workers are welding stainless steel or nonferrous chromium allows. It also comes up as an impurity in Portland cement. If you are exposed to hexavalent chromium, you may suffer lung cancer in the future. Also, workers have reported damage to the nose, throat, and lungs when the fumes are inhaled at high levels of exposure. If the chemical touches the eyes or skin then it can cause irritation. The most serious effect of hexavalent chromium exposure is naturally lung cancer. This cancer often doesn’t show up until later. Some people may even forget that they were once exposed to hexavalent chromium at high levels, and may bypass a legitimate lawsuit to gain compensation for medical bills. If you work with chromate pigments and powders, chromic acid, or chromium catalysts dyes and coatings on a regular basis, you are at risk to hexavalent chromium exposure. Also, workers who are near chrome electroplating or spend their time welding and hot working stainless steel are also at risk. If you believe that hexavalent chromium exposure led to your current injuries then talk to a New York City personal injury attorney at Greenberg & Stein for assistance in your case! Tags Share
Blog > Chemical Exposure > Categories > The Dangers of Formaldehyde The Dangers of Formaldehyde Posted by Nemanja on Sep 01, 2023 There are many dangers of formaldehyde when exposed to this toxic gas. It is important for individuals to be careful and cautious when they are around this dangerous gas. Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling gas that is normally found in water-based solutions. It is used a preservative in many medical laboratories and in mortuaries. It is also found in household products, glues, permanent press fabrics, paper products, plywood, and fiberboard, just to name a few. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde in the workplace. This is set at 0.75 parts formaldehyde per million parts of air. The OSHA has also set up a standard for a short-term exposure limit of 2 ppm. This is the maximum exposure allowed during a 15 minute period. The OSHA set these limits because formaldehyde can cause an immune system response that can be dangerous. Also, formaldehyde has been reported to cause cancer. When people are first exposed to formaldehyde, it can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. It can also make an individual cough and wheeze. In some cases, exposure will cause a serious allergic reaction on the skin, eyes, and in the respiratory tract. Ingesting formaldehyde can be fatal, and long-term exposure can cause permanent asthma-like respiratory issues. Employers have the duty to protect workers that could be exposed to formaldehyde. The employers need to reassign any workers who suffer significant adverse effects to jobs that have less of a risk of exposure, and should label all solutions that have a large amount of formaldehyde so that workers are aware of them. Also, all workers that will be exposed to formaldehyde should be trained as to how to note adverse symptoms due to exposure. If you want more information about formaldehyde lawsuits you need to contact a New York City personal injury lawyer and start a worker’s compensation lawsuit today! Tags Share