Every employee is entitled to a safe working environment. The law requires employers to ensure their employees work in safe environments. The presence of toxins in a given workplace can result in many health issues. Some occupations “expose many individuals to different toxic compounds” (Lin, 2012, p. 1465).
Individuals who handle chemicals, plastics, beauty products, nail polishes, solvents, and paints are exposed to different toxicants. This discussion examines how the presence of toxins in a given workplace can affect the health conditions of many individuals.
Targeted Scenario
A woman had delivered a healthy baby before starting her new job. She later joined a small manufacturing plant as an employee. Her child became sick after several months. The child was later hospitalized in order to get the required medical support. She later discussed the conditions of the child with one of her coworkers.
She observed that another female coworker had encountered a similar problem. The female coworker’s child had been hospitalized after portraying similar symptoms. These two cases show clearly that the employees in the firm were exposed to different toxic compounds (Lin, 2012).
Connection between the Two Cases
It is agreeable that these two cases are closely connected. These employees encountered similar health challenges. Their newborn babies portrayed similar symptoms. According to Kacew and Lee (2013), children are affected the most by different toxic compounds. Children tend to have weak bodies.
Their body organs are also under development thus making them prone to different toxicants (Kacew & Lee, 2013). The mother can therefore use several methods to determine if there is a connection between these two cases.
To begin with, she should analyze the symptoms experienced by the two newborns. The mother should ensure the child is tested in order to determine the kind of toxicant affecting him or her (Lin, 2012).
Testing for the Connection
Several factors should be addressed in this scenario. The first approach is examining the nature of the working conditions in the manufacturing plant. This analysis will identify some of the potential toxins in the working environment. The next approach is comparing the medical reports of the two babies.
This analysis will identify the unique similarities between the two newborn babies. The health statuses of the two women should also be examined carefully (Lucille, 2015). The milk produced by the mothers should also be examined in order to understand the pathway of the potential toxic compound.
The other practice is collecting more information from every worker in the manufacturing plant. The approach will highlight the major issues affecting many individuals in the firm.
A Case in Court
The provided scenario shows clearly that the working environment has been unsafe. That being the case, the mother of the child has a case in a court of law. Chances are very high that the company has not been supporting the health needs of its employees. Two women have faced similar health challenges.
Their newborn babies have also portrayed similar signs and symptoms. Chances are very high that the woman is also affected by different toxic compounds (Kacew & Lee, 2013). The company has failed to provide the required safety precautions to its workers. This fact explains why the female employee should consult an attorney.
The “child’s medical report should be used as evidence in court” (Lin, 2012, p. 1483).
Reference List
Kacew, S., & Lee, B. (2013). Lu’s Basic Toxicology: Fundamentals, Target Organs, and Risk Assessment. New York, NY: Information Healthcare.
Lin, A. (2012). Beyond Tort: Compensating Victims of Environmental Toxic Injury. Southern California Law Review, 78(1), 1439-1529.
Lucille, H. (2015). Do You Have a Toxic Workplace? Web.