A Bennington man recently won a $450,000 settlement for skin injuries he suffered from coming in contact with wet cement, according to his lawyer.
The lawyer, David Silver, of Bennington-based BarrSternberg Moss Silver & Munson, wouldn’t identify the client or the company allegedly involved. He said the man wanted to educate the public about the risks of working with wet Portland cement.
In November 2014 the man was helping his son-in-law put in a new floor in a crawlspace, according to Silver. There wasn’t room to stand up, so the man got on his knees to spread the wet concrete.
The son-in-law was then given a receipt by the delivery person. On the bottom of the receipt was a warning that the product could cause skin irritation. Hours later, third-degree burns covered the man’s kneecaps, leaving him with scars and medical bills, said Silver.
The man decided to sue, and Silver said the concrete company’s insurers agreed to settle. If a product is potentially dangerous, a business must tell the consumer, Silver said.
Portland cement is in almost every form of concrete. When wet, Portland cement can damage the skin because it is caustic and abrasive and absorbs moisture, according to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA says the effects can range from mild and brief to severe and chronic.
Burns may not be felt immediately, according to OSHA. That’s the most dangerous part, said Silver, who warned that the effects are not evident until hours after contact.
According to OSHA, if skin comes into contact with wet cement, it should be washed with cool water and acidic soap immediately. Skin softeners such as Vaseline should not be used.
Silver identified the lawyers he said represented the concrete company; they did not return VTDigger’s calls or emails.
