A toxic tort is a personal injury case brought about because of exposure to a toxic substance. If a company knowingly exposes the public or its employees to a harmful substance, it can be held liable for the consequences. These consequences typically come in the form of health problems or even death. If you have been exposed to a toxic substance and sustained injuries as a result, you may have a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If a family member has died due to toxic exposure, you may have a wrongful death case.
Types of Toxic Torts
There are numerous dangerous chemicals that are considered toxic to human health. Many of these chemicals have led to successful toxic tort litigation. Of these the most commonly known are:
- Asbestos – A mineral used in insulation and in the production of numerous products like hair dryers and brake pads. Asbestos exposure is linked to asbestosis, mesothelioma and other ailments.
- Lead paint – Lead is commonly found in paint in older homes, apartment buildings and manufacturing facilities. Lead poisoning can cause brain injury, kidney damage and other medical problems.
- Benzene – A naturally occurring substance, benzene has been used in manufacturing in a wide variety of industries including textiles, metal and wood processing. Benzene exposure has been shown to cause cancer, aplastic anemia and central nervous system damage among other problems.
Toxic exposures often affect a group, or class, of people such as employees from a particular company. Consequently, these cases are often structured as class action lawsuits. The lawyers at Ankin Law Firm are knowledgeable and experienced in working with all kinds of personal injury cases and class action suits. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of toxic exposure, contact us to discuss your case.
