Many of us are regularly exposed to small amounts of toxic chemicals in the form of cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials, and even the components that make up your smartphone. However, when negligent conduct by an employer or third-party company exposes someone to unhealthy levels of a toxic substance, that exposure could have repercussions that affect the rest of that person’s life.
Litigation over chemical exposure can be complex and highly dependent on the specific circumstances, so it is recommended that you talk to an experienced attorney if you were harmed in this type of incident. At Smith Hulsey, a Gainesville toxic chemical exposure lawyer could walk you through your legal options, help collect evidence of fault for your exposure, and seek fair financial restitution for all your ensuing damages.
Toxic chemicals can cause severe harm through various types of exposure. Direct contact with substances like sulfuric acid, chlorine, and mercury can cause skin irritation and discoloration, painful burns, or even nerve damage. Furthermore, if a dangerous chemical gets into someone’s eyes, it may end up causing permanent blindness. These types of catastrophic injuries could warrant large amounts of compensation in a toxic chemical exposure claim brought with the help of a local attorney.
The hazardous impacts of toxic chemicals increase when inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin, especially if someone is exposed to these substances consistently over a long period of time. Various forms of cancer have been linked with exposure to dangerous industrial substances. Additionally, chemical exposure may also contribute to certain debilitating diseases, such as:
When someone suffers physical harm due to long-term toxic chemical exposure, civil liability for their losses often lies with an employer that failed to follow federal regulations regarding the usage, storage, and safe disposal of dangerous substances. Individuals who work with plastics and/or in industrial settings are at high risk of experiencing negative effects from chemical exposure over time.
In these types of situations, it may be possible to hold a careless or reckless employer financially liable for medical expenses and a certain amount of lost wages through a workers’ compensation claim. In other scenarios, civil litigation may be the best course of action, either because an employer’s actions constituted gross negligence or because they engaged in some sort of fraud or malicious conduct in an attempt to hide what they did to their employees.
Alternatively, individuals exposed to toxic chemicals by companies they have no affiliation with may be able to join together and pursue mass tort litigation against the defendant(s) who harmed them. A toxic chemical exposure lawyer in Gainesville could further explain what course of action may be most effective for the given circumstances.
Filing suit over toxic chemical exposure is a complex endeavor, especially for those without a legal background. The companies that produce and use industrial chemicals often have massive legal teams on retainer to help them avoid liability for the harm they cause workers and civilians. As such, you need dedicated legal representation on your side to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Work with a Gainesville toxic chemical exposure lawyer at Smith Hulsey to get the best chances of a positive outcome in your case. Call today to schedule an initial consultation with our team.
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