Toxic Torts

If you or a family member has been injured due to exposure to a toxic substance, contact the experienced Alabama toxic tort attorneys at Cross & Smith today.  We have handled several toxic tort cases in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.

Toxic substances are all around us. Some toxic substances have beneficial uses, or may not be harmful in very limited amounts. Others, such as mold, serve no beneficial purpose. Many other toxic substances become harmful when exposure levels reach a certain threshold. When overexposure occurs for a sufficient amount of time, or when proper protective equipment is not utilized, severe, debilitating injuries can result.

Many toxic tort cases arise out of exposure to toxins in the workplace. Overexposure of workers to asbestos, benzene, and silica, among other substances, has been shown to cause severe harm. Exposure to pesticides, solvents, and welding fumes, along with many other substances, can also cause severe harm. Many of the substances are classified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and protection measures and acceptable exposure levels are strictly regulated. Still many employers do not provide proper protection or ventilation to their employees, do not adequately educate their employees, or look away from the dangers of cumulative exposure in the interest of profits. While these injuries often lead to a workers’ compensation claim, in some instances on-the-job exposure can also lead to a claim against third parties.

Consumer products and environmental factors also carry many dangers. Sulfur exposure from poorly made drywall, lead paint on children’s toys, mold contamination left untreated by landlords, and contaminated drinking water are among the many toxic hazards we face. Many of these toxins are also regulated by state and federal law. In some limited instances where many people are exposed to the same hazards, claims based toxic exposures can be pursued as class actions.

A wide range of injuries and damages can result from toxic exposures, depending entirely on the toxin involved. For example, benzene exposure can cause leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood-related diseases. Exposure to solvents can lead to neurological damage. Asbestos exposure is known to lead to mesothelioma and other cancers. Silica exposure can cause severe lung damage.

In many cases it is difficult to determine whether the exposure caused the injuries. Some individuals have other hereditary or environmental factors that can lead to the same symptoms or diseases. Often there is a lack of scientific consensus about the effects a specific toxin has on the body, and for toxins where few people have been exposed, there may be few past studies and few experts in the field to rely upon. In cases of long-term exposure over the course of working for many different employers, sorting out responsibility for your injuries can be difficult.

If you believe you have been injured due to exposure to a toxic substance, contact the skilled Alabama toxic tort attorneys of Cross & Smith today. As experienced trial attorneys in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham with a track record of successfully representing injured workers and consumers in their personal injury claims, we understand how to approach your toxic injury case. We are skilled at evaluating and presenting complex medical issues to a jury, and will represent you with diligence and integrity. Contact our office at (877) 791-0618 for a free confidential consultation.