Catastropic Injury Attorney

Attorneys Helping the People of Texas

Chemical spills slowly and silently leaking into water supplies…tankers overturning spilling toxic chemicals into the air…workers suffering chemical burns in the workplace…there are only a few examples of the many ways that people can find themselves exposed to extremely harmful substances. This problem affects the health of our citizens, including our children, and puts them at risk for serious health problems, such as cancer, birth defects, and property damage and devaluation.

According to the World Resources Institute in Washington, D.C., cancer mortality rates are increasing without any explanation. Much of the blame can be placed on exposure to carcinogens in the workplace and other locations. Identifying these substances and removing them is the first step toward preventing cancer and other health problems. The second step is holding the manufacturers and distributors of these chemicals responsible.

The experienced toxic chemical exposure lawyers of Fears & Nachawati can assist you in determining if you have a case because of exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals, and will help you proceed with legal action if you do.

These type cases, often referred to as toxic tort cases, arise in a myriad of settings often involving one working with or in proximity to the toxins. The cases that fall into this category are ones where the exposure and/or inhalation often leaves the victim with permanent physical injuries and/or illnesses and a need for lifetime care. Our chemical exposure attorneys specialize in the handling of such cases and work with our victim clients and medical specialists and life care planners to insure that any recovery obtained not only compensates them for their loss, but provides them that which they require in terms of future care to insure them the best quality of life achievable.

Toxic substances are chemicals and substances that are capable of causing great harm. Toxic materials can take the form of solids, liquids, gases, vapors, dusts, fumes, fibers and mists. Hazardous substances are found in more locations than ever before, including the work place, schools, parks, beaches and even hospitals.

The toxicity of a substance is its ability to cause harmful effects. These effects can strike a single cell, a group of cells, an organ system, or the entire body. A toxic effect may be visible damage, or a decrease in performance or function measurable only by a test. The toxicity of a substance depends on three factors: its chemical structure, the extent to which the substance is absorbed by the body and the body's ability to detoxify the substance (change it into less toxic substances) and eliminate it from the body.

Routes of Exposure

The most common points at which substances first contact the body are the skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Toxic substances can also enter into the body and travel in the bloodstream to the internal organs. Effects that are produced this way are called systemic. The internal organs most commonly affected are the liver, kidneys, heart, nervous system (including the brain) and reproductive system.

Toxic materials can take the form of solids, liquids, gases, vapors, dusts, fumes, fibers and mists. How a substance gets into the body and what damage it causes depends on the form or the physical properties of the substance. Most solids are generally not hazardous since they are not likely to be absorbed into the body, unless present as small particles such as dust. Many hazardous substances are in liquid form at normal temperatures. Some liquids can damage the skin. Some pass through the skin and enter the body and may or may not cause skin damage. The presence of a gas may be difficult to detect if it has no color or odor, and does not cause immediate irritation. Such gases, like carbon monoxide, may still be very hazardous. Vapors can be inhaled into the lungs, and in some cases may irritate the eyes, skin or respiratory tract. Some are flammable, explosive and/or toxic. Dusts may be hazardous because they can be inhaled into the respiratory tract. Larger particles of dust are usually trapped in the nose and windpipe (trachea) where they can be expelled, but smaller particles (respirable dust) can reach and may damage the lungs. Many metal fumes can cause an illness called metal fume fever, consisting of fever, chills and aches like the "flu". Smaller fibers such as asbestos, can lodge in the lungs and cause serious harm. Larger fibers are trapped in the respiratory tract; and are expelled without reaching the lung. The spraying of pesticides and the machining of metals using metal working fluids are two situations where mists are commonly produced.

Don’t put your chances of seeing results at risk – consult with a chemical exposure law firm that has specialized expertise in this specific category of personal injury claims. Insurance companies thrive on knowing the loopholes and small details of cases like these. Make sure that the lawyers you choose to represent your case have just as much inside information and experience with these specific incidents as they do.

If you are unsure as to whether your chemical exposure is a viable case, you may visit one of our offices (located throughout Texas in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, and San Antonio) for a free consultation in which we will review the details of your accident with you and, hopefully, work toward a fair and just solution.

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We are a chemical expsure and injury law firm. We help people who have been seriously injured in chemical exposure accidents.