Toxic torts can cause widespread injuries, and many innocent victims can suffer from illnesses as well as wrongful deaths. Toxic tort cases often result when negligent companies allow harmful substances to reach consumers or even their own employees. In a toxic tort claim, the victim alleges that exposure to some dangerous substance caused an injury or illness. While class actions are common, a single individual may also bring a toxic tort lawsuit.
Toxic tort claims usually arise in the following contexts:
Occupational exposure: when industrial workers are exposed to toxins, at high levels for a short period of time or at lower levels over an extended period.
Pharmaceutical drugs: when pharmaceutical drugs cause unintended side-effects.
Exposure in the home: when people breathe or ingest substances in their home, such as toxic mold.
Consumer products: when people use products, such as pesticides, that cause unintended illness.