Inhalation Injuries

Breathing Injuries

Job-Related Hazards • Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers

Wagner Reese & Crossen
Toll Free: 800-792-0332

Show Them You're Serious!

Injuries to workers are not limited to falls from buildings or other accidents on the job. The prevailing conditions in many industrial settings are hazardous to the health of employees. Although they may not see the offending substance, workers may be seriously injured or even killed by breathing particles associated with packaging specific products.

A History of Helping People With Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses

Since 1997, the Indiana personal injury law offices of Wagner Reese & Crossen have been helping injured workers, providing them with exceptional representation in matters related to on-the-job hazards. Our attorneys offer more than fifty combined years of trial experience. We have helped our clients receive significant settlements and jury awards for serious illness suffered because of breathing toxic materials while on the job.

Microwave Popcorn Is No Longer Benign

One type of work-related breathing injury occurs when people are exposed to Diacetyl, the chemical used to create a butter flavor in microwave popcorn, candy and potato chips. Workers who mix the dry powder with the corn or candy before packaging the product are particularly vulnerable. Workers who have been exposed to airborne Diacetyl have developed hardening of the lung tissue and other respiratory problems. The illness, known colloquially as popcorn lung disease, is non-reversible. In very serious cases, popcorn lung disease is fatal if the victim does not have a lung transplant.

Popcorn Disease and Other Lung Diseases Can Force Retirement

Indiana is a big corn growing state. There are several dozen microwave popcorn plants with hundreds of workers, each of whom is at risk for Diacetyl poisoning. Known formally as bronchiolitis obliterans, the illness can force people to retire because of disability. At the same time that they can no longer work, injured employees are usually experiencing increased medical bills because of their illness.

Experienced Litigators Who Are On Your Side

At our Carmel, Indiana, law firm, we are experienced litigators with the ability to pursue cases involving inhaling Diacetyl or other air borne hazards. Although the exposure happened on the job and you can be eligible for worker's compensation benefits, we can also begin a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the microwave popcorn or other third parties who might be liable for your illness. We can help you obtain the compensation you need to deal with the consequences of popcorn lung disease and other work-related environmental hazards.

Symptoms of Popcorn Lung Disease

Our lawyers fight for full and just compensation for you so that you can cope with popcorn lung disease. The symptoms of this illness can include shortness of breath, respiratory tract irritation, and significant skin problems. If you have been exposed to powdered butter flavoring in any type of food processing plant and have symptoms such as these, contact a knowledgeable lawyer right away.

Lawyers Who Can Help

At Wagner Reese & Crossen, our lawyers are known for obtaining verdicts and settlements that help injured people move forward with their lives. If you believe you have been exposed to Diacetyl and may have contracted popcorn lung disease, contact our Carmel, Indiana, law firm right away to talk about your situation.