Cutting Oils & Metalworking Fluids

Many workers, especially machinists, employed in the automotive and other metalworking industries, are exposed on a daily basis to spills, mists, vapors and residues of the cutting oils, coolants, lubricants, solvents and other fluids used in the cutting, drilling, threading and shaping of metal components. Some of these chemicals are petroleum-based, and others are completely synthetic. They are used on a wide variety of industrial devices, including screw machines, drill presses, lathes, turning and spindle machines. They have ingredients and additives that have been shown to cause serious lung and skin disorders, including asthma and emphysema. Long-term exposure also causes a variety of cancers, including cancers of the lung, testicles, esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum. They have been linked with Hodgkins disease, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and leukemia.

The manufacturers of these fluids have long been aware of these risks, but most have failed to take the steps necessary to remove carcinogens from their products. If you believe you have suffered an illness caused by exposure to a cutting oil or other metalworking fluid, a member of Williams Cuker Berezofsky's Workplace Injury Practice Group is available to consult with you. In order to have an experienced lawyer consult with you about your claim, please submit a confidential case inquiry form.