Author: David G. Hughes

Missouri Workplace Beryllium Exposure Worker’s Compensation

Posted on by David G. Hughes

I am handling worker’s compensation cases all over the state of Missouri for employment-related beryllium exposure. The most common health effects associated with over exposure to beryllium in the workplace include beryllium sensitization, chronic beryllium disease (CBD), and lung cancer.

OSHA estimates that approximately 62,000 workers are potentially exposed to beryllium in approximately 7,300 establishments in the United States, including approximately 12,000 workers in the construction and shipyard industries. The highest exposures to beryllium occur in the workplace, and exposure data from OSHA’s Occupational Safety and Health Information System (OIS) identifies workers engaged in primary beryllium manufacturing, alloy production, and recycling as having the highest exposures to beryllium.

General industry occupations with potential exposure to beryllium include: 1) primary beryllium production workers; 2) workers processing beryllium/metals/alloys/composites including, but not limited to, foundry workers, furnace tenders, machine operators, machinists, metal fabricators, welders, and dental technicians; 3) secondary smelting and refining (recycling electronic and computer parts, metals); and 4) abrasive blasters. Construction and shipyard occupations with potential exposure to beryllium include: 1) abrasive blasters and pot tenders; 2) laborers; and 3) welders.

If you believe you have been exposed to beryllium in the workplace and suffered exposure-related health conditions, please call David G. Hughes at Mogab & Hughes Attorneys at 314-241-4477.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers

Posted on by David G. Hughes

David Hughes of Mogab & Hughes Attorneys is now accepting Camp Lejeune cases nationwide. We will represent persons involved in a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit on a contingency basis. Our lawyers never charge a legal fee unless we win your case. Between August, 1953 and December, 1987, the drinking water at the Camp Lejeune United States Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina may have been contaminated with toxic chemicals that can cause multiple types of cancer, including birth defects, Parkinson’s disease, and more.

From 1953 to December, 1987, nearly 1 million civilian workers, military service members, and their family members were potentially exposed to these toxic chemicals, and because of a new law, they may all be able to receive compensation from the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit.

The toxic contamination primarily resulted from leaking underground storage tanks, as well as oil and other wastes disposed of improperly, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). From 1982 to 1984, the Navy began an environmental cleanup of Camp Lejeune, and as part of the effort, water wells near the known contaminated sites were tested. From 1985 to 1987, the United States Marine Corps began the process of removing contaminated wells from service, and the process took until December 31, 1987 to complete.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was approved on August 2, 2022, and with the passing of this legislation, veterans, their families, and civilians who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987, for 30 or more days, and developed certain health conditions are now able to file Camp Lejeune lawsuits for financial compensation for lost wages, medical costs, and pain and suffering. Those who had loved ones die as a result of an illness linked to the toxins in Camp Lejeune’s water may also be able to file a lawsuit.

Contact David Hughes at Mogab & Hughes Attorneys, P.C. about a possible Camp Lejeune lawsuit at 314-241-4477 or email him at davidhughes@mogabandhughes.com.

Occupational Disease and Toxic Exposure Attorney in St. Louis

Posted on by David G. Hughes

Pursuant to R.S.Mo. 287.067, occupational disease is defined to mean an identifiable disease arising with or without human fault out of and in the course of employment. Pursuant to R.S.Mo. 287.020.11, occupational disease due to toxic exposure include the following:  1) Mesothelioma; 2) Asbestosis; 3) Berylliosis; 4) Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis; 5) Bronchiolitis obliterans; 6) Silicosis; 7) Silicotuberculosis; 8) Manganism; 9) Acute myelogenous leukemia; and 10) Myelodysplastic syndrome.

For occupational disease due to toxic exposure involving any of the aforementioned conditions, an amount equal to 200% of the state’s average weekly wage as of the date of diagnosis for 100 weeks shall be paid by the Missouri employer, plus additional benefits under the Missouri worker’s compensation laws.

Contact David Hughes at Mogab & Hughes Attorneys, P.C. about an occupational disease toxic exposure lawsuit at 314-241-4477 or email him at davidhughes@mogabandhughes.com.