Toxic torts are torts dealing with contact with a harmful substance released into the environment due to the negligence of someone else. Toxic torts can deal with exposure to harmful chemicals at work, at home, or in one’s general environment.
Examples of toxic torts include:
- Damages caused by side effects of new and improperly tested prescription medications
- Brain damage caused by exposure to lead-based paint
- Lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure
- Organ damage due to repeated exposure to dry cleaning solvents
- Leukemia caused by toxic landfill waste
- Birth defects caused by exposure to pesticides such as dioxin and DDT
Cases that involve injury caused by pharmaceuticals are usually mass tort cases, as these type of injuries are found in thousands of people. They are not classified as medical malpractice cases, however, since they deal with a defective product.
A toxic tort related to occupational exposure to harmful chemicals is different from a worker’s compensation claim because the case must be brought against a third party, such as the manufacturer or distributor of the chemical.
Compensation for toxic tort claims is calculated in the same manner as other personal injury claims. Victims may receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages from the person or company that caused the injury. Your personal injury lawyer can provide details regarding the level of compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Finding an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been injured by exposure to a toxic substance, please call 1.877.614.0008 to speak to the experienced personal injury lawyers at Conte & Associates. Based in Whitby/Oshawa and Vaughan, Conte & Associates is dedicated to helping those injured due to the negligence of others receive the compensation they need to recover from their injuries and successfully move on to the next stage of their lives.
