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Toxic Tort
Toxic Chemicals & Toxic Substances
A toxic tort is described as an injury to a person’s body, or financial situation from a toxic substance due to the negligence of someone else. Below you will find common forms of toxic substances and a description of there symptoms.
Asbestos: A building material used in homes schools, shipyards, buildings. Though not used any longer, the effect of asbestos exposure can be felt in the form of mesothelioma, a serious lung disease, from 20 to 50 years after exposure. Asbestosis is a non-cancerous disease which is caused by asbestos fibers getting lodged in the lungs. Asbestosis can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and serious heart problems.- Benzene: Benzene is a colorless liquid found in cigarette smoke, pesticides, drugs, detergents, paints, inks, plastics, glues, dyes, as well as other industrial products. Benzene can cause leukemia and can be passed through the environment in ground water, rain, snow. The most common victims are workers that manufacture or work with materials containing benzene.
- Carbon Monoxide: Carbon monoxide poisoning most often occurs in homes and vehicles and can be very deadly. Since carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless it may injure or even kill before it is noticed. Carbon monoxides effects vary from person to person, but are generally characterized by fatigue, light headedness, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. Heath risks associated with carbon monoxide include hypertension, headaches, confusion, unconsciousness, myocardial ischemia, arterial fibrillation, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, hyperglycemia, acute renal failure, skin lesions, visual & auditory debilitation, and respiratory arrest.
- Creosote: Creosote is most commonly used to preserve wood in railroad ties & telephone poles, but is also used in insecticides, sporicides, fungicides, and miticides. Those who work in industries associate with wood preserving are most at risk, but others at risk are those who work with asphalt, tar pitches, rubber, coke production, steel, and tire production. Accidental ingestion of creosote can cause burning or pain in the mouth, throat, or stomach. Exposure to skin can cause skin irritation, burns, confusion, convulsions, kidney problems, liver problems, unconsciousness, or death. Long term exposure can cause respiratory illness and cancer.
- Lead Poisoning: Lead poisoning can be cause by the inhalation of dust or the consumption of lead based paints. Those at highest risk of lead poisoning are children 6 and under as their bodies can absorb lead at a much higher rate than adults. Common sources of Lead poisoning are poorly maintained or newly renovated houses which were built before 1978. The effects of lead poisoning include, nervous disorders, behavioral problems, brain injuries, learning disabilities, underdeveloped growth, loss of hearing, seizures, convulsions, coma, or death.
These are only a few of the many toxic substances which can cause serious injury or death. If you or someone you know has been exposed to harmful chemicals or substances it is imperative that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney to ensure proper compensation for injuries.
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