Close

Philadelphia Attorney for Injury from Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Exposure

Table of Contents

    Hydrofluoric acid, or HF acid, is an extremely corrosive chemical capable of causing fatal or permanently disabling injuries. While most people never come into contact with hydrofluoric acid, certain types of workers are at risk of exposure, such as oil, automotive, or sanitation workers. If a person breathes in, swallows, or touches hydrofluoric acid, the result can be a severe burn injury that threatens the worker’s life. If you or one of your family members was exposed to hydrofluoric acid in the workplace, the attorneys of the Reiff Law Firm can fight for justice from those responsible.

    At the Reiff Law Firm, we are award-winning personal injury and wrongful death attorneys with more than 34 years of experience representing workers and their families throughout the Philadelphia region. With an outstanding track record of awards and case outcomes, we are aggressive litigators who dedicate ourselves fully to your acid exposure lawsuit. We will tirelessly seek compensation your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and other damages. For a free legal consultation with our Philadelphia HF acid injury lawyers, contact the Reiff Law Firm online, or call us today at (215) 709-6940. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help you and your loved ones.

    What is Hydrofluoric (HF) Acid and What is it Used For?

    Hydrofluoric acid (HF acid) is a solution of water containing dissolved hydrogen fluoride. In terms of its physical characteristics, HF acid is clear and colorless, with a strong, acrid odor.

    Hydrofluoric acid has many uses, primarily in industrial applications. For example, HF acid is commonly used in oil refining and industrial glass etching. However, lower concentrations of HF acid may also be found in home cleaning products. Most injuries caused by hydrofluoric acid involve workers who are exposed on the job.

    HF acid is extremely dangerous to human health, meaning it must be prepared, stored, shipped, labeled, disposed of, and handled using the utmost degree of care. Hydrofluoric acid is recognized as a “highly hazardous chemical” by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), with similar designations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

    Who is at Risk for Hydrofluoric Acid Exposure?

    Several common household products contain hydrofluoric acid, including various toilet bowl cleaners, tile cleaner products, and chemicals used to clean swimming pools. However, HF acid exposure injuries usually affect chemical workers who come into contact with stronger, industrial-grade products.

    Unfortunately, hydrofluoric acid exposure has caused the death or serious injury of numerous workers, including a group of 13 employees who were hospitalized with HF acid injuries when a 2009 accident at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery (formerly owned by Sunoco) caused approximately 22 pounds of hydrofluoric acid to leak. The refinery, which is located in South Philadelphia, was also the site of several fires during June 2019. Another serious incident involving hydrofluoric acid occurred in Pennsylvania in 2009 when a tanker truck transporting HF acid overturned in Wind Gap, Northampton County, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. OSHA has also reported dozens of incidents involving hydrofluoric acid dating back at least as far as 1991, including the following:

    • May 2000 – A chemical technician who “was mixing an automobile cleaning solution” died after inhaling HF acid vapors.
    • Jun 2005 – A chemical technician “sustained chemical burns to her calves” while “working at a facility at which chemicals were repackaged.”
    • January 2012 – A vehicle washer “received burns to the hands and arms while working with hydrofluoric acid,” resulting in hospitalization.
    • April 2014 – A maintenance technician was “admitted [to the hospital] and treated for systemic chemical poisoning” after “acid sprayed under his face shield.”

    Hydrofluoric Acid Burns and Lung Injuries

    Hydrofluoric acid is often described as a “weak” acid due to its chemical structure. However, this term is misleading when it comes to the effects of hydrofluoric acid on the human body.

    When a person is exposed to even a small amount of hydrofluoric acid – whether through inhalation, ingestion, or direct skin contact – the outcome can be fatal. HF acid can eat through clothing, skin, fat, muscle, and even bone, rapidly destroying tissue and causing devastating burns. Depending on the severity of the accident, effects of hydrofluoric acid exposure may include:

    • Bronchitis
    • Cardiac arrest (sudden loss of normal heart function)
    • Chemical burns
    • Decalcification of bone and acute hypocalcemia (abnormally low blood calcium levels)
    • Loss of a limb, fingers, or toes
    • Respiratory problems
    • Throat irritation
    • Tissue death
    • Vision loss, in cases where the eyes are exposed
    • Wrongful death

    Philadelphia Injury Lawyers for Workers Exposed to HF Acid

    HF acid exposure injuries can be permanently disfiguring or even fatal. If you, your spouse, or a family member was exposed to hydrofluoric acid at work, the injury lawyers of the Reiff Law Firm can determine who may be liable and pursue compensation aggressively. We are here to help you file a lawsuit against any person or company whose negligence contributed to your injuries. To discuss your family’s legal options confidentially in free consultation with an HF acid burn lawyer in Philadelphia, contact us online today, or call the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.

    5.0/5.0
    personal injury lawyer

    ...without them I would have been lost.

    I can’t say enough great things about the Attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm. They made me feel at ease when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. Never being in a situation like this I was so unsure of where to start and how to go about the process. Justin gave me options where I thought I had none and explained everything in a way that I could understand. Justin and the team helped me arrange all of the treatment and therapy that I needed, without them I would have been lost. My attorney John went to bat for me like no one else could have, his knowledge and professionalism is unmatched. If anyone is ever in need of a team of attorneys the Reiff Law Firm is my ONLY recommendation.

    5.0/5.0
    personal injury lawyer

    ...what started as a small settlement ended $100, 000 more than expected.

    I greatly appreciate the care and compassion the Reiff Law Firm has given to my family at a very difficult time. They left no stone unturned in their investigation and what started as a small settlement ended $100, 000 more than expected. They did not give up and treated us like family.

    5.0/5.0
    personal injury lawyer

    I’m very comfortable to say there’s no better in the city.

    Before meeting with Jeffrey Reiff and Bob Szostak from the Reiff law firm I’ve consulted with a few other injury attorneys in the Philadelphia region. Difference was, these guys know their stuff! I was absolutely blown away by how compassionate and welcome this law firm makes you feel. Once signed with them I never went a single week without staying in the loop with the progress and updates these guys have on your case. Working with them for some time turned what was an injury case, into a family! From calls and meetings, to just calling in to say “hi how’s everything going” I’ve never felt like a beat was skipped. I’d recommended the Reiff law firm 100%! I’m very comfortable to say there’s no better in the city. The awards they’ve earned over the years speaks for itself! I can never thank the Reiff law firm and Bob Szostak enough for everything they’ve done, their professionalism, compassion and all of their knowledge and experience! Highly rated! Best in the city! I look forward continuing our relationship in the future. Thanks again My Reiff family!

    5.0/5.0
    personal injury lawyer

    ...I want to say that the Reiff Law Firm changed my entire life with handling of my legal case.

    As a former client, I want to say that the Reiff Law Firm changed my entire life with handling of my legal case. I was in a very serious automobile accident with severe injuries to neck and back areas. I contacted the law firm and asked what to do with the medical bills and how do I get the correct representation against the individual who rear-ended my car. In short, the firm took complete control of the case contacting my insurance company and asking for all the medical bills and legal matters be sent directly to them. I was able to get treatment from my doctor without worrying about the legal stuff. Furthermore, two years later the case was settled for a substantial amount of money. My life was much better due to the firm handling of my case. My attorneys at Reiff Law Firm are absolutely the best and I have recommended to my family friends. Thanks Reiff Law Firm.

    5.0/5.0
    personal injury lawyer

    What started out as a time for me that included a lot of doubt, questions and hopelessness has turned into one of a hopeful future.

    I highly recommend the team at the Reiff Law Firm. Both Jeff and Robert were there to guide me through a very difficult time. What started out as a time for me that included a lot of doubt, questions and hopelessness has turned into one of a hopeful future. The team at the Reiff Law Firm made me feel at ease and I had no doubts trusting them with various concerns. They kept me informed every step of the way without making me feel overwhelmed or anxious. Don't hesitate to contact them for your legal needs - especially if you want a team that has the utmost concern and compassion for their clients.

    5.0/5.0
    personal injury lawyer

    THE REIFF FIRM IS AN OUTSTANDING LAW FIRM!

    I was referred to the Reiff Law Firm by a friend who had previously been a client of the firm. My friend told me that the Reiff Firm had done an incredible job handling his case and treated him like family. My friend's recommendation was spot on. I am going to miss them now that my case is over. Attorney Reiff and Attorney Toczydlowski are excellent attorneys. They really care. They got me an INCREDIBLE RESULT. Most importantly they were there for me during some extremely dark and difficult times in my life. I highly recommend the Reiff Law Firm to anyone seeking the very best legal representation for injuries they suffered in an accident.

    Verdicts & Settlements

    $13 Million

    Auto Defect/Product Liability

    Read More
    $8 Million

    Auto Defect/Product Liability

    Read More

    Our Offices

    1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd #501
    Philadelphia, PA 19102
    Get Directions

    Get a Free Case Review

    "*" indicates required fields

    Name
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.