Toxic Tort Lawyers in Louisiana

The continuous evolution of technology and manufacturing has introduced countless new products into our everyday lives. However, sometimes the substances in products that are thought to be safe can turn out to be the opposite. And other times, dangerous substances can even leak into the air or groundwater, which can cause serious harm to humans, which is where an experienced mass tort lawyer will come in and help! 

If you or someone you love was hurt or exposed to a dangerous substance in some way, they may be eligible for compensation through filing a toxic tort claim. Toxic tort claims are typically brought under a theory of negligence involving exposure to a dangerous substance, such as a pesticide, chemical, or pharmaceutical drug.

Although nothing can fully demolish the tragedy of harmful substance exposure, an experienced personal injury lawyer may be able to help counteract some of the devastation. To learn if you or a loved one may qualify for a toxic tort claim, continue reading below.

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The Most Common Types of Toxic Tort Claims

For the chance to receive proper compensation, there must be proof that you or someone else was not only exposed to a dangerous substance, but injured in some way as well because of it. Additionally, since lingering toxicity can affect a large number of people, these types of claims are usually filed as mass tort lawsuits. Some common types of toxic tort claims include:

• Industrial or maritime accidents that lead to toxins affecting nearby people/landowners such as the toxic exposure caused by Clean Harbors burn pits in Colfax
• Exposure to defective products on the job
• Toxic mold at work or home exposure
• Toxic consumer products such as pesticides, cleansers, or other household chemicals

By consulting with a personal injury lawyer, your case can be sorted out more efficiently. For instance, they will gather any needed records from you that will be used to track your injuries. Then, they will help build your case which will assist in being proof for compensation. Personal documentation of any symptoms in a journal for your lawyer can also help keep track of how your injury has affected your life.

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Exposure to Hazardous Materials on the Job

Louisiana industrial workers are around dangerous chemicals every day, which can sometimes result in a mass tort claim and usually a workers compensation claim. If exposed, the toxic chemicals can cause serious damage to the body and could even lead to lung cancer and other injuries. Some industries that put workers at risk include:

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Exposure in Consumer Products

Some consumer products that are used on a daily basis can potentially be a health concern, especially for children and sensitive individuals. The chemicals can enter the air, or latch onto dust, which can then get into the human body. Unfortunately, some people may not realize that harmful chemicals can reside in the cleaning products, glues, carpeting, furniture, and other things they use every day. Some key chemicals of concern are listed below.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) plastic: can be found in piping and flooring, lunchboxes and toys, or even IV bags in hospitals. The good news is safer alternatives can be found, and the global market is steering away from this unnecessary and harmful plastic.

Toxic flame retardants: many household products such as, appliances, electronics, furniture, and child care items, contain toxic flame retardants. Instead of preventing fires, these chemicals make fire fighting even more dangerous for building occupants and rescuers, which is why many corporations are moving away from these hazardous pollutants. The same goes for toxic fire fighting foam.

Pesticides in food: even after thoroughly washing vegetables and fruits, Roundup and other pesticides can still contaminate the food. This results in ongoing exposure to hazardous chemicals that are particularly dangerous for children. If you can, try to buy organic produce because it’s grown on soil that has no dangerous substances applied to it.

Toxic chemicals in cosmetics: due to loopholes in U.S. federal regulations, the cosmetics industry is allowed to put countless amounts of toxic chemicals into personal care products for both women and men, with no safety testing or appropriate labeling requirements. Be sure to always check the ingredients in cosmetics like make-up, hair care products, lotions, deodorants, hair straighteners, and sunscreen.

Other toxicities in the atmosphere that have made large amounts of people very sick include asbestos, paraquat, AFFF, Roundup, paraquat, and even a defective sleep apnea machine that contains degrading components that releases toxic particles into the air. 

Symptoms involving exposure to hazardous chemicals can range from relatively mild to absolutely devastating. If exposed to a small amount, you may experience

• Tearing eyes
• Burning of the nose, eyes, chest, throat, and skin

However, if exposed to a large amount, more serious effects can occur, like

• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing and wheezing
• Lightheadedness
• Weakness

The scariest effects from the most toxic chemicals include 

• Sudden fainting
• Convulsions
• Wrongful death

Keep in mind that some effects occur immediately, while others may take hours to develop. If you think you’ve been exposed to a toxic chemical, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

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Exposure to Toxic Mold at Home or Work

Louisiana is known to go through many severe weather events, and residents are left with the harmful environmental results. Although black mold does not evolve as easily as most molds, once it emerges, it usually pushes out other molds growing around and takes over the area. Be sure to get your home tested if you suspect toxic black mold is growing. If you have any of the symptoms listed above and can confirm you’ve been contaminated, your next step is to hire a personal injury attorney.

Black mold is usually found in areas that are damp and known to flood. Some common symptoms usually involve the respiratory system, including:

• Chronic coughing
• Sneezing
• Irritation to the eyes and mucous membrane
• Fatigue
• Ongoing headaches
• Black mold poisoning

People being sued for black mold exposure include builders, construction companies, landlords, and businesses. Also, Louisiana people living in homes sold by D.R. Horton deal with an extraordinary amount of moisture in their home due to design and construction defects.

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Do I Have a Toxic Tort Claim?

Because toxic tort claims vary, it can be hard to know if you have a claim, but don’t worry! The team at Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys has been trying toxic tort claims for years, and we’ll make sure you have the knowledge, confidence, and support you need to recover and move forward.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a toxic chemical, get in touch with us today! We know what it takes to successfully settle or win a case such as this, and want to discuss your legal options. Even better, we won’t charge you a dime until we win or settle your case, that’s the G Guarantee!

Toxic Substance Mass Tort Lawyer Near Me

888.716.2572