A toxic tort or toxic exposure case is a specific type of personal injury that occurs as a result of the exposure to toxic materials or chemicals. Many people are unknowingly exposed to dangerous substances at their workplace or home and only discover the past exposure after they have been diagnosed with a type of cancer that is associated with the toxic material.
Exposure to a toxic material even in very short doses or duration can lead to severe health consequences, as each persons body may be more or less susceptible to cancer. Other types of illnesses and cancers are the result of long-term or chronic chemical exposure, usually at the workplace. Toxic exposure can lead to specific types of cancer and other illnesses as shown in the chart below.
Many plaintiffs file lawsuits after they discover that their employers failed to properly protect them from serious health and safety risks over the years. Employers may be liable for any injury to a worker.
Household chemicals may also be unreasonably dangerous and cause severe illness and injury, requiring product recalls and a full investigation into the safety hazards some household chemicals may present. In recent years some pesticides and herbicides have been targeted in toxic exposure litigation.
Occupational Toxic Exposure
Occupational toxic tort cases are the most common because industrial workers are more likely to face long-term exposure to toxic chemicals. Workers in certain industries face a higher risk of exposure than the average person.
For example, farm workers may be exposed to large amounts of pesticides, including Glyphosate, a known cancer-causing agent. Fracking employees may be exposed to Benzene, a very dangerous substance. Workers in the steel and auto industry may have been exposed to asbestos for many years.
Without proper safety equipment and respiratory protection, employees and consumers may inhale toxic fumes that can lead to acute illness or chronic lung disease and cancers. Many cases of lung disease originate in workplace exposure of asbestos or other toxins.
Legal action may be necessary to compensate victims for their medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages. The Lyon Firm takes pride in representing Americans following serious injuries, and has engaged some of the nation’s largest corporations in product liability and toxic tort cases.
