Environmental and Toxic Tort Lawyers

Types of Environmental Injury Claims

There are multiple sources of environmental contamination, including chemical plants, gas stations, waste storage facilities, and landfills. It is critical that product manufacturers and employers properly label and instruct workers and those exposed to chemicals on proper handling and risk of injury. Our personal injury attorneys at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. represent people injured by substances such as:

Impact of Environmental Injuries and Toxicity

When people are exposed to dangerous or toxic substances that are released into the air or water, they can suffer serious health problems, such as cancer and respiratory illnesses. If you worked at a job or lived near a site where toxic chemicals were used, you may have been subjected to dangerous levels of chemical exposure. Many industrial worksites contain a variety of hazardous materials that workers and the general public need to be protected from.

Corporations are responsible for providing workers with adequate protective equipment and safety training. If a company negligently fails to provide effective safety measures for its own workers or the general public, it can be held liable for damages that result.

Minor exposure to toxic substances can lead to headaches or nausea, and, if the exposure continues, to coma, convulsions, and death. Some illnesses caused by toxic exposure can be reversed, and the ability to recover is based on the duration of the exposure. There are two types of toxicity:

• Acute Toxicity – Short-term exposure to poison that can result in a sudden impact on health
• Chronic Toxicity – Long-term exposure to substances considered poisonous to the human body that may result in an impact over time

Injury cases involving toxic exposure can occur in the workplace where toxic chemicals and substances are used and stored, or in other environments, including a home.

What is Environmental Law?

Environmental law addresses cases of toxic exposure, as well as balancing the environmental concerns of the public in general, and the rights of property owners to develop and use their property. Many environmental laws and regulations are in place at both the state and federal levels that are designed to prevent toxic exposure in the environment, including pollution of the ground, water and air by chemicals, hazardous wastes and other dangerous and toxic pollutants. Building codes, zoning ordinances, condemnation policies and land use restrictions could all come into play in an environmental law case.

Several federal laws are designed to protect the environment and the public, including:

• The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) – This is the flagship of the federal environmental program. The act requires the federal government to review the environmental impacts of, and alternatives to, any major proposed projects that could have a negative impact on the environment. The purpose of the law is to monitor, discover and disclose the impact of federal projects on the environment.
• The Federal Water Pollution Control Act – This law addresses environmental concerns related to sewage plants, agricultural feedlots, oil spills and other hazardous substances entering the water systems.
• The Federal Clean Water Act – In 1977, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act was amended, and established the basic structure for regulating the discharge of pollutants into the water. The act protects fish, shellfish, and wildlife, and requires operating permits for companies that may produce pollutants or toxins that could enter and pollute the water sources across the nation.

Our Environmental and Toxic Tort Lawyers Can Help

You may be able to file a lawsuit to force another entity to clean up environmental contamination. If you have suffered the adverse effects of toxic exposure, you can file suit to seek compensation for damages if an injury, illness, condition or death has resulted from exposure. As an example, you have legal recourse if your property has been impacted by the discharge of toxic substances into your water source or land. The legal action could force the company to clean up toxins it has released, and pay compensation for property damage, bodily harm, and personal injury.

If you would like to work with an experienced and dedicated Alabama environmental and toxic tort lawyers who is passionate about working on your case, please contact Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. for a free toxic tort consultation. For your free consultation with an Alabama personal injury lawyer fill out our contact form or call us at 205-933-1500.