Lead Exposure & Poisoning: A Guide to Workers’ Comp for Colorado Workers
How to secure the workers’ comp benefits you deserve if you develop work-related lead poisoning in Colorado
Lead, a toxic, heavy metal that occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust, is used in consumer products and construction far less frequently today than it was a few decades ago. However, some workers in Denver and throughout Colorado are still at risk of exposure and poisoning.
Whether you work in construction, manufacturing, automotive repair, or other industries where lead exposure is common, understanding the risks and symptoms is essential to protecting your long-term health.
In this article, we’ll explore the dangerous health conditions that arise because of lead poisoning, work responsibilities that may expose you to lead, symptoms that often point to lead poisoning, and the benefits you may be able to receive through workers’ compensation if you’re affected.
If you’ve filed a workers’ comp claim for lead poisoning that’s been denied by your employer or you need help determining how much compensation you’re entitled to, reach out to the experienced Colorado work injury lawyers at Babcock Tucker for a free consultation.
What are the symptoms of being exposed to lead?
Lead exposure can be hard to detect because symptoms of lead poisoning can be similar to other more common health issues like a cold or flu. Signs of lead poisoning may include:
- Chronic fatigue or unexplained irritability
- Difficulty concentrating or frequent memory lapses
- Persistent headaches or episodes of dizziness
- Abdominal pain, constipation, or nausea
- Muscle weakness or joint pain
- High blood pressure (hypertension) or changes in kidney function
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
- Mood changes, such as depression or anxiety
If you work in an industry that exposes you to lead, it’s important to seek medical help at the first sign of lead poisoning symptoms, as you’ll be more likely to prevent permanent damage with early treatment.
Can you clean lead out of your system?
Yes, it may be possible to reduce the amount of lead in your body. For individuals with high lead levels, doctors often recommend something called chelation therapy. This treatment involves taking medication that binds to lead in the body and pulls it into the bloodstream so it can be processed and excreted through urine.
Did you know?
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, an average of 112 workers are killed on the job in Colorado every year. That’s the equivalent of 1 worker dying every 3 days.
What happens if I’m exposed to lead at work?
Symptoms of lead exposure aren’t always immediately evident—especially in healthy adults—but even a small amount of lead in the body can be harmful. In fact, according to the CDC, no level of lead exposure is considered safe for humans.
Prolonged or excessive exposure to lead can damage organs and bodily systems, causing chronic conditions that are difficult to reverse. This makes understanding the health risks particularly important for anyone working in environments with lead.
Lead poisoning can happen quickly (acute lead poisoning) or build up over time (chronic lead poisoning). Below are some symptoms associated with each:
- Acute lead poisoning. This can result from sudden, high-level exposure and may cause abdominal pain, headaches, vomiting, weakness, and confusion.
- Chronic lead poisoning. Prolonged exposure to low levels of lead can gradually affect multiple body systems.
Serious health conditions that can be caused by prolonged lead exposure include the following:
- Neurological damage, including cognitive impairment, learning difficulties, and reduced IQ.
- Anemia caused by lead interfering with the production of healthy red blood cells.
- Kidney damage, which can progress to long-term renal dysfunction and kidney failure.
- Reproductive health problems, including infertility and complications during pregnancy.
- Cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressure, hypertension, and an increased risk of heart disease.
- Peripheral neuropathy, which is a type of nerve damage that affects strength and sensation in the hands and feet.
Since the symptoms of lead exposure can take months or years to develop, it’s crucial for anyone exposed to lead at work to be tested regularly to prevent these and other serious health issues.
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Understand when workers’ comp settlements are typically offered and how they impact your right to future benefits in Colorado.
What are common tasks that could expose workers to lead?
Many jobs can expose workers to lead, often unknowingly. Lead exposure most often occurs at work during specific construction, manufacturing, and automotive repair tasks. Below are some of the most common tasks and jobs where lead exposure is a risk:
- Sanding or scraping old paint. When removing old paint during remodeling or demolition projects, construction workers, painters, and renovation specialists can be exposed to lead-based paint.
- Cutting or welding lead-coated materials. Metalworkers, welders, and construction crews may encounter lead fumes or particles when cutting or welding lead-coated pipes, cables, or structures.
- Smelting or casting metals. Foundry workers and scrap metal recyclers often handle materials that can be contaminated by or release lead.
- Battery manufacturing or recycling. Factory workers in battery production or recycling plants are at a higher risk of lead poisoning and exposure due to the direct handling of lead and lead dust.
- Blasting or cleaning surfaces. Sandblasters and industrial cleaners may disturb lead-based coatings during abrasive blasting or pressure washing jobs.
- Plumbing and soldering. Plumbers and pipefitters who work with lead-containing pipes, solder, or fittings are at risk, especially during cutting and joining tasks.
- Automotive repair and painting. Mechanics, spray painters, and body shop technicians may be exposed to lead through lead-based paints, radiators, or components. Older brake pads may also contain lead.
- Manufacturing ceramics or glass. Workers in ceramics or glass production who use lead in glazes or crystal materials may encounter exposure during handling or firing processes.
- Mining. Lead is a naturally occurring element, and many miners are exposed to lead dust on an ongoing basis.
It is important to know that lead can contaminate your clothes or skin, even after you leave work.
Take-home lead exposure is just as dangerous as any other kind of exposure you may face, so be sure to thoroughly clean your hands and any other exposed skin after coming into contact with lead and immediately change out of contaminated clothing.
People with young children under 6, those who are pregnant, or those who are around pregnant individuals must be especially cautious about potential take-home lead exposure since those you live with will also be at risk.
Can I get workers’ comp for lead poisoning in Colorado?
Yes, most workers in Colorado are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they get sick from toxic chemical exposure at work. However, you must be an employee, not an independent contractor, to qualify for benefits.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t have to prove your employer was at fault for your lead poisoning to get benefits.
However, you do have to prove that your lead exposure happened at work. This can be challenging, as lead poisoning often develops slowly over time, and it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact source of exposure, especially if you’ve worked in multiple jobs or fields throughout your career.
Proving that your lead poisoning is directly related to your current employment and not another job or an exposure outside of work can be complex, and that’s where a workers’ compensation lawyer can be invaluable. They can help investigate your work history, gather necessary medical evidence, and build a strong case to demonstrate the link between your illness and your job, ensuring you receive the benefits you deserve.
What workers’ comp benefits can I get for lead poisoning?
If you were exposed to lead at work in Colorado and later develop lead poisoning, you may qualify for the following types of workers’ compensation benefits:
- Medical benefits. Covers treatments related to lead exposure, including doctor visits, hospital care, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Wage loss benefits. Compensation for a portion of lost wages (typically two-thirds), if your condition prevents you from working temporarily or permanently.
- Vocational rehab benefits. Provides vocational training or education if lead exposure prevents you from returning to your previous job. This helps you transition into new employment.
- Death benefits. Provides financial support for dependents, including funeral expenses and a portion of lost income, if lead exposure ultimately results in death.
To ensure that you receive these benefits, seek medical care from an employer-approved doctor and report your condition to your employer in writing within 10 days of being diagnosed. You should also file a workers’ comp claim with the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation using form WC 15 as soon as possible but within 2 years of your diagnosis.
If your claim is denied or you need assistance navigating the process, consult a local workers’ compensation attorney in Denver to ensure your right to benefits is protected.
Need help with a workers’ comp claim for lead poisoning in Denver?
If you’ve been denied workers’ comp benefits for lead poisoning in Colorado or you don’t think you’re being offered the compensation you deserve, the skilled Denver workers’ compensation attorneys at Babcock Tucker can help.
We have extensive experience in workers’ comp claims involving occupational illnesses like lead poisoning, so we’ve seen firsthand how insurance companies often try to downplay workers’ symptoms or deny valid claims. We know the tactics insurers use, and we know how to fight back to get you the benefits you deserve.
Contact Babcock Tucker today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help maximize your claim.
References
CDC. (2024, April 16). About Lead in the Workplace. Lead in the Workplace. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/lead/about/index.html
