If you are exposed to chemicals on the job and those chemicals harm you, the resulting case is known as a “toxic tort.” Toxic torts can be difficult to prove in court, but they are important to pursue, especially if you have been seriously injured in the short term or long term.
Winning a toxic tort case can help you recover damages to pay for your medical bills, loss of work, and even pain and suffering. It can also stop other people from having a similar experience by holding the employer accountable.
Depending on your line of work, you may be exposed to a host of potentially dangerous chemicals, from carbon monoxide and sulfuric acid, to ammonia and chlorine. Cleaning professionals like janitorial personnel routinely rely upon cleaning products that may contain ingredients that are harmful if inhaled. Workers in a food factory use preservatives and other chemicals during their everyday duties: those preservatives may work well to keep the food from spoiling in small amounts, but may lead to health problems for workers.
Workplace chemicals are not always easy to pinpoint. Many people have been exposed unknowingly to asbestos during their working lives. This sometimes makes it difficult to figure out when and where the suspected exposure happened.
Toxic tort cases can be challenging to prove, especially if exposure to a chemical happened years or decades before. Documentation, expert testimony, prior cases, and other evidence can assist in proving the validity of a toxic tort lawsuit. Again, this is where having strong legal representation matters. Lawyers accustomed to litigating toxic tort cases have the experience and infrastructure to collect and present compelling evidence to a court.
If you spill a chemical on your arm and it causes a burn, you have immediate proof of exposure, but plenty of chemical exposure responses are far less obvious. This can make it difficult to know if you have been exposed to a toxic substance. The following symptoms may accompany recent or past chemical exposure:
You may suspect that your medical issues are related to chemical exposure, but how can you back up your claims? First, make sure to go to a doctor. Having a record of medical diagnosis and treatment will help bolster your case.
Secondly, talk to a lawyer who has a record of working with toxic torts. A consultation with someone like an environmental lawyer will give you more information on how to potentially proceed. Finally, continue to take care of yourself. Even though it can be expensive to get care, you deserve to be well.
Remember: all employers have a responsibility to act in the best interests of their employees. As such, they must ensure a safe working environment. If you feel your present employer or a past employer has violated your trust by knowingly exposing you to a chemical that caused a medical problem, you may want to get in touch right away with a legal representative.
Do you suspect that exposure to a chemical led to an acute or lasting medical condition? Call an experienced Wilmington environment lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. right away. Call us at 302-656-5445 or fill out our online form. We have offices in Millsboro and Wilmington, Delaware. Our team handles civil tort cases in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County, and throughout the state.