Toxic Exposure Lawsuit
(Hazardous Chemical Poisoning / Pollutants)
Everyday workers are exposed to toxic chemicals on the jobsite, even when their employers have attempted to protect them. In many cases, the protections their employers provide are not enough. Chemical fumes and residues are still inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Typically, cancers are caused by years of exposure to carcinogens or very heavy exposure for shorter time periods. The majority of the time, a person will not develop cancer from chemical exposure until many years after their exposure to these toxins.
The Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA), signed into law in 1970, ensures that work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths are properly compensated. Most employers are obligated to provide their employers with workers’ compensation in case of an injury.
In addition to workers, the general public can be affected by toxic exposure as well.
Causes of Toxic & Chemical Exposure
The most common causes of toxic exposure involve improper handling of toxic chemicals and waste by individuals or companies which lead to human illness and suffering. Industries, both public and private, must be held accountable for their irresponsible behavior in the manufacture and use of deadly compounds and in the disposal of poisonous waste.
Types of Toxic Exposure
Exposure to hazardous chemicals can cause serious injury and in severe cases death. There are several types of toxic exposure. Some common types of toxic exposure include:
- Asbestos – Asbestos exposure has been linked to a number of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. When someone is exposed to asbestos, he or she inhales silica particles, causing scar tissue to develop in the lungs. Industrial plants that manufacture asbestos-related products or older buildings that have asbestos insulation are locations where asbestos exposure is most likely to occur.
- Water Contamination – Water contamination is caused by several things, including agricultural runoff, improper use of household chemicals, septic systems and cesspools, underground fuel storage tanks, toxic waste dumps and landfills, and municipal water and waste treatment plants.
- Soil Contamination – Soil contamination occurs when a body of water is contaminated with chemicals or heavy metals. When contaminated regions flood, chemicals and other hazardous materials can settle on large areas and pollute the soil. You can be exposed to these soil contaminants through skin contact (walking on the soil or gardening), inhalation (creating dust in the yard or tracking dust into the home), and ingestion (eating vegetables grown in the soil).
- Industrial & Household Solvents – Household and Industrial cleaners (e.g. sodium dichromate, etc.), sanitizers (e.g. glutaraldehyde, etc.), glues, paints and thinners are hazardous chemicals that can be dangerous.
- Cosmetics – Lotions, nail polishes, and other beauty products we use are filled with an array of chemical-based products.
- Hazardous Waste – Factories that dump toxic chemicals often fail to obtain permits. Such negligence can pose serious threats to workers and residents in the area.
- Pesticides – While pesticides are effective in killing the insects and termites that infest our homes, the chemicals in these products have been known to cause some serious side effects in humans.
- Metal Poisoning – Exposure to metals like lead (e.g. paint chips), mercury (e.g. Amalgam Fillings) and manganese can cause serious side effects.
- Toxic Mold – Toxic mold refers to several types of mold that invade homes, commercial buildings, and schools, causing illness and triggering asthma. There are several types of mold that can cause illness such as Stachybotrys atra, Aspergillus, Chaetomium & Penicillium.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Carbon monoxide poisoning is a common occurrence. Exposure typically comes from kerosene space heaters, charcoal grills, gas water heaters, propane heaters and stoves, boats, spray paint, solvents and paint removers.
At Risk Jobs and Occupations for Toxic Exposure
Some jobs and occupations with the highest risk of toxic exposure include:
- Industrial plant workers who use solvents
- Painters
- PVC plant workers who use vinyl chloride monomer
- Manufacturers of benzene or benzene products
- Oil Refinery Workers
- Chemical Lab Workers
- Rubber Industry Workers
- Pesticide Manufacturing
- Printing / Newspaper
- Paper and Pulp Manufacturing
- Gasoline Workers
- Chemical and Petrochemical Plants
- Oil Tanker Workers
Common Injuries Sustained From Toxic Exposure
Some examples of injuries sustained from toxic exposure include:
- Leukemia
- Blood disorders (such as aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome)
- Cancer (lung, brain, kidney, etc.)
- Hodgkin’s Disease
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Brain Damage
- Learning disabilities (Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and learning disability.
- Birth defects (exposure before or during pregnancy)
- Breathing difficulties (allergies, respiratory conditions, etc.)
- Various stomach, heart, kidney, and liver conditions.
- Nervous system disorders (reflex malfunction and headaches)
Filing Toxic Exposure Lawsuits
If you are considering filing a toxic exposure lawsuit it is important to obtain as much information as possible to help an attorney effectively evaluate your claim. For example, you will need a doctor’s diagnosis of your illness as well as information about the toxic chemicals to which you were exposed and how the chemical exposure occurred.
Contact our Toxic Exposure Attorneys
If you are considering filing a lawsuit, it is important to seek an experienced toxic exposure attorney that is familiar with your states laws. Contact our lawyers today for a FREE case evaluation.
