What is Mercury?
Mercury is a natural occurring element that exists in our environment. It is a heavy metal and can be found in many forms like lead or cadmium. Mercury can be present in high levels inside certain types of fish such as marlin, swordfish, shark, ahi tuna, bigeye tuna, orange roughy, and king mackerel. There has been an expressed concern in regards to mercury poisoning being far more hazardous than originally thought to be. Mercury can pose an immediate harm to pregnant woman, children, and unborn fetuses. Being exposed to mercury has been related to brain damages that can create catastrophic injuries and illnesess.
Have you or a loved one suffered from mercury poisoning that led to an illness or injury? If so, contact Percy Martinez Personal Injury Law firm for a free consultation. Call right away to speak about your case.
Who Can Mercury Poisoning Affect?
Mercury poisoning can affect anyone, but especially young people and unborn children. When you consume and are exposed to high levels of mercury, you can get a condition known as acrodynia, which is a form of poisoning that can create problems with your heart, sensitivity to your skin, sweating, and the inability to move or walk correctly. Having mercury in your body while bearing a child can cause severe birth defects to the baby because the placenta is unable to protect itself from mercury or lead. This condition can remain with your child for the rest of their lives.
Some of the safest fish to consume during pregnancy are:
- Wild salmon
- Shrimp
- Catfish
- Tilapia
- Sole
- Flounder
- Cod
- Canned light tuna
- Crab
- Lobster
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggest to only consume between 8 to 12 ounces of any of these fishes in the span of a weeks’ time for pregnant, and or, breastfeeding mothers. Although these fishes contain low-levels of mercury, the EPA and FDA still provide caution to expecting mothers and breastfeeding mothers because mercury poisoning cases are on the rise.
There has been research done by scientist who theorize that the levels of mercury in the low-level mercury fishes are increasing due to pollution and practices by global industries. The FDA suggest to people that it is safer to stay away from any foods that contain more than 1ppm of methyl mercury in them. An article of a 2006 Consumers Report, states that pregnant woman should avoid eating tuna all together.
Mercury Poisoning in Children
Children normally have strong immune systems and can attack minor illnesses and injuries rather quickly, but an exposure to large amounts of mercury can have devastating effects on a child who is still developing. Children can suffer from:
Neurological damages: Can affect their memory, their attention span, and their speech.
If you have a child who was exposed to large quantities of mercury and resulted in a neurological damage, then you can be awarded compensation for any expenses and harms.
How Can You Get Mercury Poisoning?
For the most part, an exposure to mercury is caused orally, or a large ingestion of it. You can be exposed to mercury in the following areas:
- The removal of silver fillings in denture
- Consuming fish with large levels of mercury
- Being exposed through batteries or paint, which are found quite often in children’s toys.
Unlawful Use of Mercury by Industries
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) controls specific uses of mercury through Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). This limits the release of mercury from certain industries. They do this to ensure the protection of the people from the harm it can cause.
If a company was the result of your child’s exposure to mercury that caused an injury or illness, they can be held accountable for the child’s damages.
Evaluation Your Case – Miami, FL Lawyers
If you have undergone mercury poisoning and have suffered an illness, an injury, or birth defects and neurological damages towards your child, contact us today. We have managed many mercury poisoning cases in Miami-Dade County. Someone’s mistake shouldn’t be the cause for you harms. This is why we fight for your rights and to seek the maximum compensation for any damages that resulted from mercury exposure. We will evaluate every aspect of your case, speak with a personal injury attorney today.
