The pursuit of knowledge is an admirable thing, but it can be dangerous as evidenced by an explosion in a chemistry lab at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg this week. Chemical burns are among some of the most devastating personal injuries one can suffer. The burns can run deep and leave scars for life.

Officials say five students suffered exposure to fumes as a result of the blast, prompting them to be taken to the hospital for observation. They say a lab staff person suffered a workplace injury to her forearm. All the victims have since been released and are reportedly in good condition.

Besides the injuries that were caused in this chemistry lab blast, officials say two buildings on campus had to be closed down and decontaminated. Hazardous material experts were sent in to clean up the place and some students and emergency responders went through decontamination processes as a precaution.

This situation provides an example of how a seemingly insignificant incident can escalate into an array of conditions that can result in personal injury, work-related injury or, in the worst cases, wrongful death.

There was the apparently, unsafe handling of chemicals that sparked the blast. That raises questions about whether the school has appropriate safe-handling rules in place.

The fumes, while not causing any apparent harm immediately, may result in health issues that manifest themselves later. The employee's injury to her arm could worsen unexpectedly.

In all such instances, victims have the right to expect just compensation. Chances of that happening are improved with the help of an attorney.

Source: TheTimes and Democrat, "Students, lab tech 'good' after explosion," Richard Walker, Wed. Feb. 8, 2012