Illinois Toxic Chemical Exposure Lawyer

Toxic chemicals and hazardous materials are substances that, when entering the body, can cause significant harm to the person’s health. In the most severe cases, they can even cause death. The most common form of toxic chemical exposure is through inhalation. Other pathways into the body are by means of ingestion and directly through the skin.

If you are suffering detrimental health effects due to some form of toxic chemical exposure, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. Our Illinois environmental exposure lawyers at The Cates Law Firm, LLC have the experience to help secure the compensation you deserve.

Our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients exposed to harmful and noxious chemicals. Our team has the knowledge and resources to conduct a detailed investigation of your claim and gather the necessary evidence to prove that your injuries were the result of negligence, or the intentional acts or omissions of another party.

Contact The Cates Law Firm, LLC today at 618-277-3644 to schedule a consultation about your case.

Potential Injuries From Toxic Chemical Exposure

Exposure to toxic chemicals can occur in the workplace, in your home, or through various types of environmental contamination.

Some of the injuries that are possible through exposure to these toxic chemical substances include:

• Brain damage
• Damage to the eyes (causing vision impairment or blindness)
• Death
• Organ damage
• Reproductive system damage
• Skin damage and scarring

Immediate Effects of Exposure

Exposure to toxic chemicals can produce immediate debilitating results that include headaches, rashes, allergies, nausea, dizziness, neurological problems, difficulty swallowing and breathing, and concentration and memory problems. Generally, these effects develop gradually, resulting in various types of serious health issues including illness and/or disease.

Potential Illnesses from Exposure

Illnesses that may develop over the short or long-term due to toxic chemical exposure include:

• Aplastic anemia
• Asbestosis
• Cancer
• Chemically induced asthma
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Lung disease
• Mesothelioma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS)
• Silicosis

Types of Toxic Chemical Exposure

The most commonly found toxic chemicals include:

Mercury
When this poisonous chemical is inhaled or absorbed into the body, it can inflict permanent damage to the nervous system. Distinct signs of mercury poisoning include loss of muscle control and coordination.

Asbestos
These dust particles, which have been found to cause cancer, can still be found in a wide range of workplace environments due to the fact that asbestos was commonly utilized in the past as an insulation material. The symptoms of mesothelioma, for which these particles are responsible, can take a number of years to develop within the body.

Lead
Particularly harmful to young children, lead poisoning can lead to various neurological problems, including developmental disabilities. In the worst cases, it can also be fatal.

Benzene
As a toxic vapor often introduced into the system through paints, the symptoms of benzene exposure may include nausea, headaches, and rashes. Benzene may, however, also cause cancer.

Other toxic chemicals that can cause significant and long-term harm to the body include:

• Beryllium
• Carbon monoxide
• Chlorine dioxide
• Creosote
• Hydrochloric acid
• Industrial Alcohol
• Isocynates
• Manganese
• Pesticides
• Photoresists
• Polychlorinated Biphenyl
• Silica
• Sodium dioxide
• Sulfur dioxide
• Sulfuric acid
• Tungsten

Sources of Toxic Chemical Exposure

It is estimated that since the 1950s, tens of thousands of new chemical compounds have been developed and dispersed into the environment, making dangerous chemical exposure more likely. These chemicals may be found in the home, at work, and outdoors in the environment. Examples of places where these chemicals could be found include:

Home
Some of the most common sources of toxic chemicals in the home include personal care products, cleaning products, and lead paints. According to the Consumer Protection Agency, health issues such as cancer, birth defects, and mental disorders may be linked to the exposure to one or more of these chemicals.

The Workplace
In various workplace settings – commonly industrial plants and factories – workers may encounter toxic liquids, vapors, or dust. At times, these chemicals are released into the atmosphere when certain objects and materials are manipulated or changed in form, such as when toxic materials are burned or objects are cut. As well, even standard office settings can be dangerous if toxic mold exists within a building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, or if asbestos is present.

Outdoor Environment
Hazardous waste disposal, illegal dumping of toxic materials, and accidental spills can all affect the health of individuals who are exposed to toxins dispersed into streams, rivers, watersheds, ponds, and lakes. Certain industrial factories also sometimes release toxic chemicals into nearby populated residential areas, increasing the likelihood of toxic chemical exposure.

Liability for Toxic Exposure

Liability in these instances may rest upon one or more several categories of defendants based on the nature of the exposure and the type of the toxic chemical involved. Responsible parties can include:

• Any person or entity that illegally dumps toxins into the water or ground
• Apartment owners
• Chemical manufacturers
• Companies that used or dispersed the toxic chemicals
• Homeowners
• Landowners
• Transporters of the toxic material
• Your employer

Recoverable Damages

At The Cates Law Firm, LLC, our Illinois injury lawyers can help you move forward in the process to recover compensation in your toxic chemical exposure case. Some of the recoverable damages you may be entitled to include:

• Loss of life
• Lost income and wages
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Physical injuries
• Rehab and/or physical therapy costs

Illinois Toxic Chemical Exposure Lawyers at The Cates Law Firm, LLC Fight for You

The personal injury lawyers of The Cates Law Firm, LLC have extensive experience successfully handling and resolving complex personal injury cases for clients. With thorough knowledge of the law surrounding toxic chemical exposure and the dangers it poses to those in the workplace, at home, and elsewhere, we can evaluate your case and determine to what degree you may be entitled to obtain compensation for your losses.

Contact us online or call 618-277-3644 to start the process and request a free case evaluation.