*The results are conditioned to the unique circumstances of each case. These results do not guarantee your case will result in the same compensation.
Occupational cancer is caused by exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. Carcinogens are agents or chemicals that cause the development or increase in the incidence of cancer. Cancer is not a single disease. It strikes when cells grow in an abnormal and often uncontrolled manner. As there are many types of cancer and diagnoses. Each can have a varying or specific set of causes and factors including personal habits like smoking or alcohol consumption, genetics, gender, ethnicity, and exposure to carcinogens. The following is list of Cancers and the potential Chemical Links to each Cancer.
Aplastic anemia- is linked to airplane fuels and the jet fuel industry
Bladder Cancer can be caused by arsenic, aromatic amines, coal tars, diesel fuel and exhauset, hairdressing chemicals, metalworking fluids and mineral oils, paints and painting chemicals, rubber products.
Bone Cancer can be caused by ionizing radiation.
Brain Cancer can also be caused by ionizing radiation. Many Cancers also metastasize or spread to the brain.
Breast Cancer can be caused by exposure to Estrogen, Progesterone, Compounding chemicals, radiation, ethylene oxide.
Colorectal Cancer Increased colorectal cancer has been reported in workers exposed to mineral oils in the operation of printing, typesetting, and textile processing machines. There was an association between rectal cancer and machinists exposed to mineral-based metalworking fluids. Some studies have shown a small excess risk for workers exposed to asbestos. Colon cancer was not associated with ionizing radiation exposure in studies of radiologists, underground miners, nuclear workers, or uranium processors.
Esophagus Cancer Some studies suggest associations with occupational exposures to perchloroethylene, mustard gas, silica dust, metal dust, asbestos, combustion products, sulfuric acid, carbon black, and ionizing radiation. Based on heavier exposure levels that existed in the past, two groups that showed higher risks for cancer of the esophagus were workers who vulcanized rubber automobile assembly . There is also evidence that occupational exposure to soots and tetrachloroethylene cause esophageal cancer.
Eye Melanoma has links to Welding.
*The results are conditioned to the unique circumstances of each case. These results do not guarantee your case will result in the same compensation.
Kidney Cancer has been linked to Trichloroethylene, arsenic, cadmium, and coke production in the petroleum industry.
Laryngeal Cancer possible occupational risks include exposure to nickel, asbestos, and ionizing radiation. Studies have found strong associations between laryngeal cancer and occupational exposures to mustard gas manufacturing, nickel refining, and metalworking with mineral-based oils. Possible risk factors are leather workers, textile workers, and exposure to gasoline, diesel oil, and mineral oil. There is strong evidence that the following are occupational carcinogens: isopropanol manufacture, strong acid process; inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid; and mustard gas. There is suggestive evidence that exposure to asbestos and the rubber industry are associated with an increased risk of work-related laryngeal cancer. Sulfuric acid mists also have a link as does Asbestos.
Leukemia represent 3% of all malignant neoplasms. There is strong evidence for associations between the following and occupational leukemia: boot and shoe manufacture and repair, benzene, ionizing radiation, and ethylene oxide. It also has links to Formaldehyde, Ionizing radiation and many chemical in the Rubber production industry. Insecticides in the farming, landscaping and sporting industries also have connections.
Liver Cancer has links to radiation, trichloroethylene, vinyl choloride, Aflatoxins, Plutonium, Viruses (hepatitis B and hepatitis C).
Lung Cancer perhaps the largest occupational exposure Cancer issues arise in the lungs. Asbestos is the most discussed. It leads to Asbestosis and Mesothelioma. Processes strongly associated with occupational lung cancer include : aluminum production, coke production, coal gasification, Arsenic and compounds, underground hematite mining (radon), iron and steel founding, nickel refining (nickel oxides and sulfides), painters, and passive smoking. strongly associated with occupational lung cancer: arsenic compounds, hexavalent chromium compounds, beryllium, cadmium compounds, ionizing radiation, crystalline silica, soots, and talc containing asbestiform fibers. Bis(chloromethyl)ether and chloromethyl methyl ether were strongly associated with lung cancer. There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of coal-tar pitch as encountered in paving and roofing. Coal-tar pitch as encountered in paving and roofing causes cancer of the lung. Ionizing radiation was strongly associated with lung cancer in studies of patients treated with radiation for Hodgkin’s disease, underground mining. Diesel exhaust had been reclassified as a Group 1 carcinogen which is a cause of lung cancer.
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin the evidence for increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in exposed workers is “suggestive” for the following agents: non-arsenical insecticides, TCDD, tetrachloroethylene, and trichloroethylene. The evidence is also suggestive for hairdressers and barbers.There are reported increased risks among farmers, printers, medical professionals, electronic workers, and leather workers, rubber workers.”
Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Cancer associated directly with asbestos exposure in the digestive process, Stomach.
Mesothelioma, Pleural is Lung Cancer associated with asbestos exposure;
Multiple Myeloma, Adenocarcinoma there are many links to thee general cancers, including asbestos.
Nasal Sinus Cancer agents associated with sino-nasal cancer include cigarette smoking, wood and leather dust, nickel refining, chromates, mustard gas manufacturing, isopropanol manufacturing (sulfuric acid mists), and possibly formaldehyde and welding. Softwood dust is associated with squamous cell carcinoma, and hardwood dust is associated with adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavity. An increased risk exists for sawmill workers, furniture workers, wood products workers, and carpenters.
Nasopharynx Cancer there is suggestive evidence that mustard gas and formaldehyde can cause occupational nasopharyngeal cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Although remote there are some links of Asbestos to cancer through work but there is a significant amount of literature on Talc and Talc products having a link. There are also cases of metastasized Cancers.
Prostate Cancer Epidemiologic reports of excess risk of prostate cancer among cadmium-exposed workers, mainly in battery production or smelting operations. Cadmium can be found in some insecticides and fertilizers, and exposure can occur in several workplaces such as those of smelters, nickel-cadmium battery operations, mines, metal construction sites, and rubber production.
Skin Cancer the major risk for outdoor workers is exposure to ultraviolet light. Other agents carcinogenic to the skin include: PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) such as coal tar, shale oil, or mineral oils, arsenic (pesticide manufacturing; sheep dip; copper, lead or zinc smelting); and ionizing radiation (radiologists); Arsenic exposure is associated with an increased risk of basal cell cancer after a long latency. Sun exposure increases risk for basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma. Chronic arsenic poisoning causes keratoses of palms and soles, patchy hyper-pigmentation, and skin cancer (squamous and basal cell). Arsenic and compounds; coal tars and pitches; coal gasification; coke production; mineral oils, shale oils or shale-derived lubricants; solar radiation; and soots have also been linked to Skin cancers.
I understand how overwhelming this can be. Let me handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery and getting back to normal.
| Occupation or industry | Suspected Substance | Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Production | Pitch volatiles; aromatic amines | Lungs, bladder |
| Arsenical insecticide production and packaging | Arsenic compounds | Lungs |
| Battery manufacture | Cadmium and cadmium compounds | Respiratory and digestive systems, prostate |
| Beer brewers | Alcohol | Upper aero-digestive tract |
| Beryllium refining and machining; production of beryllium-containing products | Beryllium and beryllium compounds | Lungs |
| Boot and shoe manufacture and repair | Leather dust; benzene and other solvents | Leukemia, nose, paranasal sinuses, bladder |
| Butchers and meat workers | Viruses; PAHs | Lungs |
| Carpentry and joinery | Wood dust | Nose and sinus cavities |
| Ceramic and pottery workers | Crystalline silica | Lungs |
| Coal gasification | Coal tar; coal tar fumes; PAHs | Skin (including scrotum), bladder, lungs |
| Coke production | Coal tar fumes | Skin (including scrotum), lungs, bladder, kidneys |
| Occupation or industry | Suspected Substance | Sites |
| Dry cleaning | Solvents and chemicals used in ‘spotting’ | leukemia), brain (tumours), liver, bile ducts |
| Electricity: generation, production, distribution, repair | Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields; PCBs | Lungs, sinonasal cavities |
| Electroplating | Chromium VI compounds; cadmium and cadmium compounds | Lungs, sinonasal cavities |
| Epichlorohydrin production | Epichlorohydrin | Lungs, Leukemia |
| Ethylene oxide production | Ethylene oxide | Leukemia, stomach |
| Farmers, farm workers | Not identified | Leukemia, lymphoma |
| Fishermen | UVR | Skin, lips |
| Flame retardant and plasticiser use | PCBs | Nasopharynx, sinus cavities |
| Furniture and cabinet making | Wood dust | Nose and sinus cavities |
| Gas workers | Coal carbonisation products; 2- naphthylamine | Lungs, bladder, scrotum |
| Glass workers (art glass, glass containers and pressed glassware) | Arsenic and other metal oxides; antimony oxides asbestos; lead; silica; PAHs | Lungs |
| Occupation or industry | Suspected Substance | Sites |
| Hairdressers and barbers | Dyes (aromatic amines, aminophenols with hydrogen peroxide); solvents; propellants; aerosols | Bladder, lungs, lymphatic system (non-Hodgkin lymphoma), ovaries |
| Hematite mining, Iron Ore Mining | Radon daughters; silica; Asbestos | Lungs, Digestive, Leukemia |
| Iron and steel founding | PAHs; silica; metal fumes; formaldehyde | Lungs |
| Isopropanol manufacture (strong-acid process) | Diisopropyl sulfate; isopropyl oils; sulphuric acid | Paranasal sinuses, larynx, lungs |
| Machinists | PAH’s, Solvents | Leukemia |
| Magenta manufacture | Magenta; ortho-toluidine; 4,4´- methylenebis (2-methylaniline); ortho-nitrotoluene | Bladder |
| Mechanics, welders, etc. in motor vehicle manufacturing | PAHs; welding fumes; engine exhaust | Lungs |
| Medical personnel | Ionising radiation | Skin,Leukemia |
| Painters | Not identified | Lungs, bladder, stomach |
| Petroleum refining | PAHs | Bladder, brain, Leukemia (leukaemia) |
| Pickling operations | Inorganic acid mists containing sulphuric acid | Sinus cavities, lungs |
| Printing processes | Solvents; inks; oil mist | Leukemia, mouth, lungs, kidney |
| Occupation or industry | Suspected Substance | Sites |
| Roofers, asphalt workers | PAHs | Lymphopoietic tissue, lungs |
| Pulp and paper mill workers | Not identified | Lungs, bladder, Leukemia |
| Railway workers, filling station attendants, bus and truck drivers, operators of excavating machines | Diesel engine exhaust; extremely low-frequency magnetic fields | Bladder, stomach, larynx, Leukemia, lungs |
| Rubber industry | Aromatic amines; solvents | Bladder, stomach, larynx, Leukemia, lungs |
| Synthetic latex production, tyre curing, calendering operatives (calendering is a finishing process used on cloth), reclaim rubber, cable makers | Aromatic amines | Bladder |
| Textile manufacturing industry | Textile dust in the manufacturing process; dyes and solvents in dyeing and printing operations | Bladder, sinonasal cavities, mouth |
| Sandblasting of textiles (e.g. jeans) | Silica dust | Lungs |
| Vineyard workers using arsenic insecticides | Arsenic compounds | Lungs, skin, lips |
Dean Salita is a seasoned Personal Injury lawyer with over 30 years of experience, specializing in workplace injuries and occupational diseases like asbestos-related illnesses. He’s the chair of the Minnesota Association for Justice Workers’ Compensation section and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer with an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Dean is dedicated to providing personal, compassionate legal support to his clients, guiding them through trials and the legal process.
Client Reviews
Google Review Schmidt Law Firm is so much more than the usual out for their back pocket firm they are a group of truly caring people. I was hit by a car & have memory loss. I don’t know how many times they all had to go over and over the same thing with me. They even gave me reminder calls for my doctors appointments. When things were so overwhelming I would call and all I could do is cry and they listened and never once complained or cut me short. Doug and Vanessa were all very helpful so was the rest of the staff. God Bless them all. By the way they got me a lot more than I had hoped for. You really don’t want to be on the opposing side of the table of Doug, he will rip you before you know he did it and he does it in such a nice way.
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When you schedule your free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Minnesota, you should come prepared with specific questions for us to address. Some of the common questions clients ask us are:
Yes, in almost all cases, having an attorney is crucial to protect your rights and secure the settlement you deserve. The Schmidt & Salita Law Team is here to guide you through the entire process, from collecting evidence to handling medical bills and lost wages. We’ll help you gather medical records and reports to support your claim, determine the value of your case, and negotiate a fair settlement. If needed, we’re prepared to file suit and take your case to court to ensure the best possible outcome.
It’s very important to start collecting evidence right away to support your case. The Schmidt & Salita Law Team will help obtain accident reports, interview witnesses, and work with treating doctors to ensure you get the proper medical care. We’ll also handle communication with insurance adjusters. Delaying the decision to hire an attorney can lead to lost time and missed opportunities. We’re here to guide you through the process from the start, ensuring you have the best chance for a successful outcome.
Many people worry about the cost of legal fees, but with Schmidt & Salita Law Team, your first consultation is free. We handle most Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning you won’t pay attorney fees unless there’s a settlement. If we win, you’ll only pay a percentage of the settlement for fees and costs, ensuring you never end up “in the hole.” This system is often called “No fees until you recover” and works like a real estate agent’s commission—paid only when you win.
It’s crucial to hire an attorney with experience in Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Wrongful Death claims. The Schmidt & Salita Law Team brings over 160 years of combined experience, handling thousands of cases, including auto accidents, construction injuries, medical malpractice, and more. Our team is dedicated to providing personal service and treating you like more than just a case number. We believe in a team approach to ensure the best possible outcome and your satisfaction every step of the way.
Most Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation cases typically take at least a year or more to settle, and some can take even longer. This is mainly due to medical reasons, as it takes time to determine the permanent nature of an injury. Doctors or Chiropractors are often better equipped to assess the permanency of your injury. Once we have medical evidence, we compile all necessary documents and submit a settlement demand to the insurance company. The negotiation process can take several months, and if an agreement isn’t reached, we may need to file a lawsuit.
The value of a Personal Injury or Workers’ Compensation case depends on several factors. These include the degree of fault of the responsible party, the severity of your injuries, pain, and permanent disability, as well as medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. The financial ability of the at-fault party, often determined by insurance coverage, also plays a role. Schmidt & Salita Law Team, with over 160 years of combined experience, is here to help you evaluate the worth of your case and guide you through the process.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at (952) 473-4530
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“I wanted to extend my personal thanks and appreciation, as well as that of my siblings. We are appreciative of the representation you extended to our father. He always battled for the “little guy,” and you did that for him thru this process. Please extend this thank you to Molly as well. Thank you.”
“Doug Schmidt and his team were a godsend – they were compassionate and professional in helping my sister and I navigate our mother’s Wrongful Death. They were easy to communicate with, and I always felt my concerns and opinions were being heard. I would recommend Schmidt Law Firm to anyone who asks.”
“I feel very lucky to have Mr. Schmidt working for me. He took my case when my first lawyer would not and could not fight his way out of a paper bag. My case was very involved but Mr. Schmidt made it look so easy.”
“Doug and his team are top notch. They are hard working and meticulous with getting the best results… I felt like I was in good hands through the entire process. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
“I wanted to tell you thank you for everything you have done for me I really appreciate it…I truly appreciate everything you did just taking the time to answer my questions, makes me feel good about what was going on and understanding what was happening and everything and just being patient with me. Again I truly appreciate ha...
“Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for all your efforts to collect benefits on behalf of my husband. Your kindness and sympathy during our initial visit with you was very much appreciated.”
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Dean M. Salita, with more than 30 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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1600 Hopkins Crossroad
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Phone (952) 473-4530
Toll Free 1-800-656-8450
Fax (952) 544-1308
call us: 952.473.4530
