Berylliosis Lawyer

Berylliosis lawyers are available today through Humphrey, Farrington & McClain.

Our berylliosis lawyers are experienced in litigation involving beryllium occupational injuries. Contact Humphrey, Farrington & McClain of Kansas City to meet with a berylliosis lawyer today. The berylliosis lawyers and occupational injury lawyers at Humphrey, Farrington & McClain have experience in occupational injury cases involving chemicals such as beryllium, formaldehyde, trichloroethane (TCE), PCB's; hand or limb injury caused by vibration or repetitive motion; as well as occupational asthma or a chemical sensitivity or reactivity caused by exposure to fumes or dusts.

Beryllium is a lightweight metal that is used for nuclear weapons, for atomic energy, and for metal alloys such as beryllium- copper and beryllium- aluminum. Beryllium is used in the ceramics industry. The metal alloys are used in items including non-sparking tools, precision instruments, dental appliances, electrical relays, wheel chairs and golf clubs. Solid beryllium is not dangerous, however, inhaling beryllium particulates or dusts can result in lung disease once referred to as "chemical pneumonia".

The lung disease resulting from the dusts or fumes of soluble beryllium can be chronic or acute. Symptoms of the acute beryllium disease include shortness of breath, chest pain, cough and acrocyanosis. Two types of the acute disease have been identified. The "fulminating" or rapid type develops within three days of an exposure to high concentrations of beryllium particulates while exposure to lower concentrations may result in the "insidious" type.

Symptoms of chronic beryllium disease, or CBD, include cough, dyspnea, fatigue, weight loss and acrocyanosis. The progression of CBD varies but death results in approximately one third of cases. Beryllium was used in manufacturing after the 1920's and throughout the 1930's and 1940's contamination of equipment and work areas was common in beryllium production facilities. Following many cases of "chemical pneumonia" resulting in the 1940's, in 1949 OSHA adopted community ambient air standards for beryllium that remain intact today. However, cases of beryllium disease still occur due to an over sensitivity in some individuals to beryllium.

To learn more regarding beryllium, chronic beryllium disease or beryllium litigation contact the law firm of Humphrey, Farrington & McClain of Kansas City today.