Four people were injured today in Massachusetts today when a manhole exploded and let out a spray of steaming water that may have contained asbestos. The water hit all four injury victims.
The injury accident occurred in Boston near a building at the corners of Summer and Redding. Boston Emergency Medical Services appeared at the scene after it became known that a hazardous material was possibly involved in the explosion. EMS workers medically monitored and decontaminated the firefighters at the accident scene.
The four injured persons, three of them energy company workers, were also decontaminated before being sent to nearby hospitals for treatment of their injuries.
The Boston Fire Department say they think that it was a steam pipe and not a manhole that exploded.
Asbestos Exposure
Exposure to asbestos can lead to catastrophic injuries, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Although the dangers of asbestos exposure increases the longer the exposure time, there have been cases where someone has briefly been exposed to it and ended up with malignant mesothelioma.
If you become sick because of exposure to asbestos on the job, you may not be able to file a personal injury claim against your employer because you are likely eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced personal injury attorney can make sure that you receive all the benefits that you are eligible for. Your personal injury lawyer can also help you determine if there are third parties that can be held liable for your illness.
According to Allasbestos.org, Massachusetts is ranked 11th in the United States among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for having the highest number of asbestos-related deaths- from 1,355 fatalities to 1,715.
Hub Steam Explosion Injures Four, Boston Herald, September 12, 2007
State Ranking of Asbestos Related Mortality Rate, Allasbestos.org
Related Web Resources:
Massachusetts Workers Compensation Law, Workers Compensation Insurance.com
Asbestos, EPA.gov
If you or someone you love have been injured or become ill because of what you suspect is exposure to asbestos in Massachusetts because another party was negligent or careless, the personal injury law firm of Altman & Altman LLP can help you.
We have more than 40 years experience successfully handling personal injury cases in cities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Contact us today and ask for your free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.