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Dozens of people have died due to latex allergies and thousands more suffer each year. It is estimated that almost 1 million people are "latex sensitive". Such sensitivity can cause reactions ranging from mild skin and eye irritations to potentially fatal respiratory problems. Unfortunately, latex products surround all of us, with healthcare professionals being the most frequently exposed group. In addition to the latex that we are exposed to in medical settings, latex can be found in more than 40,000 common consumer items, such as raincoats, Band-Aids, basketballs, gloves, toys, carpeting, balloons and rubber bands, to name a few.

Latex became popular about 50 years ago, but latex allergies were not recognized until the early 1990’s. In the late 1980’s, it became important for health care workers to use latex gloves to prevent the spread of AIDS. A wide variety of products in the healthcare industry contain latex, including blood pressure cups, stethoscopes, intravenous tubing, syringes, surgical masks, electrode pads, catheters, gloves, masks, elastic bandages, adhesive tape, pads and tourniquets. These products are among the hundreds of latex products regularly used by those working in the medical profession.

Recent research indicates that latex allergies, which were once considered rare, may now affect up to 20% of medical workers. The most common cause of latex allergies in the healthcare field,are due to latex gloves. When powdered latex gloves are worn and changed, latex protein particles escape into the air and ventilation systems where they can be inhaled.

A growing list of doctors and dental offices and other medical facilities are switching to powder-free and latex-safe gloves. Latex-safe gloves do contain latex, but the amount is so minimal that those with allergies are generally not affected. More and more medical offices and hospitals are making the switch to latex-safe gloves as the number of allergic reactions, workers compensation cases and lawsuits are increasing. Preventive measures are critical because there are currently no treatments available. The only “treatment” is to completely avoid latex.

Latex allergy symptoms may include:

• Skin redness, Hives , Itching
• Respiratory symptoms
• Sneezing
• Itchy eyes
• Scratchy throat
• Difficulty breathing, Coughing spells, Wheezing, Asthma
• Anaphylactic shock , although rare

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your physician or go to the hospital (depending on the severity). The irony is that in the place where you go to for help, is filled with latex. That's why it's important to alert health care workers of your allergy before you are treated. If you inform the health care provider they may be able to use a latex-free kit. Most hospitals still use latex gloves, even though latex free options are available, because such options are often 20% more expensive.

Recent lawsuits are accusing the latex industry of manufacturing defective products. It appears that latex manufacturers are failing to properly wash latex products before they leave the assembly line. If these products are properly cleansed, they would contain less of the dangerous substance and therefore pose less of a risk to those who are allergic to latex.

In 1998, both a California and a Wisconsin court found manufacturers liable for damages when health care workers suffered reactions to latex gloves. The verdict in California was for $1.3 million (currently on appeal) and in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals a $1 million verdict against a glove manufacturer, was upheld.

Worker’s compensation settlements regarding latex allergy lawsuits are also becoming more common throughout the country, with about 70% of decisions determined as compensable. This is an early indication that more and more lawsuits will result in settlements in favor of the plaintiffs.

Employers may be required, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, to accommodate “disabled” workers with latex allergies by taking steps to lessen their exposure. Employers may be required to provide latex-safe zones or re-assigning these workers if that can not be accomplished. The employer need not provide certain accommodations if to do so would create an undue burden on the employer.

Appropriate measures that can be taken by any employer to protect their employees, especially healthcare providers, by doing the following:

• Create a latex safe zone
• Update ventilation systems to insure proper air flow system
• If latex gloves are necessary, use reduced protein, powder-free gloves.

If you have experienced an allergic reaction to latex, and suffered damages as a result, you should contact an attorney immediately so that your legal rights can be protected.

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Austin, TX Personal Injury Lawyers – Barry & Loewy LLP handling personal injury, accident, and products liability claims throughout Texas. 1(800)892-5044

Austin Criminal Defense Attorney & Texas DWI Lawyer - Minton, Burton, Foster & Collins represents those accused of felonies and misdemeanor crimes in TX. Free Consultation:(512)476-4873.

Anderson & Anderson Attorneys, LLP, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Workers' Compensation, Criminal Law, Traffic & DWI, North Carolina - (888) 895-2962

Belluck & Fox - New York, NY - Motorcycle Accident Attorneys - U.S. - 1-866-6ACTION

Bentley Law Offices, Personal Injury, Consumer Fraud, Commercial Litigation, Predatory Lending & Deceptive Trade, Durham, NC - Phone: 919-682-3700

Birmingham Personal Injury Lawyers – Belt Law Firm, P.C. Attorneys: Car Accidents, Wrongful Death, Prescription Negligence, Workers Compensation, and Business Litigation.

Arthur M. Blue Law Office, P.A., Personal Injury lawyers, Carthage & Southern Pines, North Carolina - (910) 947-1500

Brady, Nordgren, Morton & Malone, Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts, Probate, Raleigh, NC - (919) 782-3500

Breakstone, White-Lief & Gluck, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Boston, MA - (617) 723-7676

Baltimore Car Accident Attorneys

Brown & Crouppen, Personal Injury Lawyers, St. Louis, Missouri, Illinois & U.S. - 800-536-HELP

California Divorce Attorneys - The Nielsen Law Group handles family law, divorce, and child custody concerns in Southern CA. Orange County Divorce Lawyers, Los Angeles Divorce Attorneys, and San Diego Divorce Lawyers. Contact our California Divorce Attorneys.

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California Business Law Attorneys - The Neilsen Law Group provides legal services to the business community in Southern California.

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Coover & Barr, LLC, Business, Commercial & Corporate Litigation, Family Law, Real Estate, Columbia, MD - (410) 997-7600

Charleston, SC Injury Lawyers – Joe Griffth Law Firm: Personal Injury, Accidents, Criminal Defense and Commercial Litigation, South Carolina - (866) 386-6460

Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys – Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., experienced lawyers handling birth injury, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and wrongful death claims in Illinois and Wisconsin.  1(866) 997-2584

Columbia Injury Lawyer – Louthian Law Firm representing victims of personal injury, auto accidents, medical malpractice, and workers compensation throughout South Carolina.

Cuthbert Law Offices handling motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and social security claims.

Robert B. Corris, S.C., Complex Business Litigation, Fraud, Contacts - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 414-272-8000

Crouse Law Offices, James T. Crouse - Aviation Disaster & Personal Injury Attorneys, Raleigh, NC - (919) 861-0503

Epperly & Follis, P.C., Personal Injury Lawyers, Nursing Home Abuse, Medical Malpractice, Investor Fraud, Workers Compensation, Criminal Defense, Civil Rights - (888) 703-0109

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Glenn, Mills & Fisher, P.A., Personal Injury, Professional Malpractice, Employment Discrimination, Civil Rights, Wills and Estates, Durham, NC, 919-683-2135

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Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Birth & Brain Injuries, Hunting & Firearms Accidents, Binghamton, NY - (607) 724-7700

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Tennessee Truck Accidents

Joe Griffith Law Firm – Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Commercial Litigation, Charleston, South Carolina - (866) 386 – 6460

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Kohn & Rath, Personal Injury lawyers, Hinesburg, Vermont - (802) 482-2905

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New York Personal Injury Lawyers - Schwartzapfel Truhowsky Marcus P.C handling accident claims, medical malpractice, product liability, auto accidents, construction injuries, and other injury cases. (800) 966-4999

Indianapolis Injury Lawyer – Ken Nunn Fights for Victims of Accidents. Get Help Now: 1-800-888-HURT. [See Also: Indianapolis Accident Attorneys – Ken Nunn is For the People, and Against Insurance Companies: Injuries and Mesothelioma Claims in Indiana]

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Peterson & Associates - injury accidents, prescription litigation lawsuits, and wrongful death claims. 1-877-DRUG-GIANT

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Providence Personal Injury Lawyer, Rhode Island Accident Attorneys – Gemma Law Associates, Inc.

Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyers – Hardison & Associates: North Carolina Attorneys handling Car Accidents, Personal Injury, and Workers Compensation. 1(800)434-8399

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Smith, Debnam, Personal Injury lawyers, Raleigh, North Carolina - (919) 250-2000

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Law Offices of John C. Wunsch, Erb's Palsy, Cerebral Palsy, Birth Personal Injury, Chicago, IL - (312) 977-9900

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