Toxic chemical exposure can cause a number of serious health problems, including some diseases that remain hidden for months – or even years. When companies fail to protect workers, consumers, and residents from dangerous substances, the injured victims deserve compensation for their suffering. You should not bear the financial burden of medical treatment caused by someone else’s negligence.

At PWHD, our experienced toxic chemical exposure lawyers in Newport News help victims pursue justice against manufacturers, large corporations, and other negligent parties who allowed harmful exposure to occur. We investigate the source of exposure, identify responsible parties, and build compelling cases that demonstrate the connection between toxic chemicals and your injuries.

Our knowledgeable attorneys can begin protecting your rights and legal claim from day one, which includes taking quick legal steps to protect your rights and any potential evidence. We work tirelessly to hold negligent companies accountable for the harm they cause.

What Counts as a Toxic Chemical and Where Could I Have Been Exposed?

Toxic chemicals include any substances that can cause illness, injury, or death when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. People may suffer harm due to toxic exposure in their workplaces or from using defective consumer products. They could also be exposed in residential areas where they live and shop. Both federal and state laws require companies to handle known toxic substances safely and warn people about the potential risks.

Common toxic chemicals and exposure locations include:

• Asbestos: Found in older buildings, insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials, and shipyards throughout Newport News and surrounding areas.
• Lead: Present in old paint, pipes, soil contamination, and manufacturing facilities that produce batteries or metal products.
• Benzene: Used in petroleum refineries, chemical plants, rubber manufacturing, and contained in gasoline and industrial solvents.
• PFAS (Forever Chemicals): Found in firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and contaminated drinking water.
• Pesticides and Herbicides: Applied in agricultural settings, landscaping work, and residential pest control that can harm workers and nearby residents.
• Industrial Solvents: Used in manufacturing plants, auto repair shops, dry cleaning facilities, and construction sites.
• Heavy Metals: Including mercury, cadmium, and chromium found in manufacturing processes, mining operations, and industrial waste sites.
• Mold and Mycotoxins: Growing in water-damaged buildings, homes with poor ventilation, and structures with unrepaired leaks.

How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Toxic Chemical Injury Case in Virginia? 

You may have a valid toxic chemical injury case if you develop a serious health condition after exposure to a dangerous substance at work, home, or elsewhere in your community. To have a case, the exposure must have occurred due to someone else’s negligence. Examples include failure to provide safety equipment, improper handling of chemicals, or inadequate warnings about dangers. Your injuries must be directly linked to the toxic chemical exposure through medical evidence and professional testimony.

Several factors strengthen a toxic exposure claim, including:

• Documentation of Exposure: Documentationshowing when and where the exposure occurred, such as employment records, residential history, or witness statements.
• Medical Records: Your medical history demonstrates your symptoms began after the exposure and are consistent with injuries caused by the specific chemical.
• Other Victims Exposed at the Same Time: Other individuals who were exposed in the same location and who have developed similar health problems.
• Breach of Safety Regulations: The responsible party violated safety regulations, failed to follow proper protocols, or knew about the danger but did nothing to prevent exposure.

It is difficult to prove toxic exposure because symptoms often develop gradually over time. Consulting with an attorney who handles these complex cases can help you find out whether you may have sufficient evidence to pursue compensation.

What Type of Injury Case Do I Have After Being Exposed to a Toxic Chemical in Newport News?

The type of legal case you have depends on where and how the toxic exposure occurred. Different legal theories apply to workplace injuries, environmental contamination, defective products, and premises liability situations. Your attorney can assess which type of case you may have, determine which parties may be liable, and what compensation you may be eligible to pursue.

Workers’ Compensation

If you were exposed to a toxic chemical while working, you may have a workers’ compensation claim. But you may also have a third-party lawsuit against equipment manufacturers, chemical suppliers, or contractors whose negligence caused your exposure.

Environmental Contamination

Environmental contamination cases arise when companies pollute air, water, or soil affecting nearby residents and may involve multiple plaintiffs in a mass tort action.

Product Liability

Product liability claims apply when consumer products contain toxic chemicals without adequate warnings or safety measures.

Premises Liability

Premises liability cases involve property owners who fail to address toxic conditions like mold, lead paint, or asbestos in buildings they own or control.

Personal Injury

In some cases, victims may have negligence claims against their employers or contractors who failed to follow safety regulations or provide proper protective equipment. In that situation, this may mean recovering damages above and beyond workers’ compensation benefits. Your attorney will evaluate the specific circumstances of your exposure to determine the most appropriate legal approach in your situation.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover for a Toxic Exposure Injury Lawsuit in Newport News?

Compensation in toxic exposure cases varies significantly based on the severity of your injuries, the toxin involved, and how the exposure has impacted your life. Some victims develop chronic conditions requiring lifelong medical care, while others face terminal illnesses that drastically shorten their lives. In Virginia, you can seek compensation for your economic losses, as well as the physical and emotional toll of your injuries.

Potential compensation in a toxic chemical exposure case may include:

• Medical Expenses: The costs of your initial diagnosis, ongoing treatment, hospitalization, surgery, chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and any medications you need. You may also seek compensation for the ongoing care/future treatments you will need.
• Lost Wages: Income you could not earn while undergoing treatment, recovering from illness, or dealing with symptoms caused by toxic exposure.
• Lost Earning Capacity: Reduced ability to work or complete inability to return to your profession due to permanent disabilities or chronic illness.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by diseases or conditions resulting from toxic exposure.
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, fear of developing future illnesses, and psychological trauma related to your diagnosis and prognosis.
• Loss of Quality of Life: Inability to enjoy activities, maintain relationships, or live independently due to injuries caused by toxic exposure.
• Wrongful Death Damages: Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship if a loved one died from toxic exposure.

Who May Be Liable for My Damages After a Toxic Exposure Injury in Virginia?

There may be one party or multiple parties liable for the damage caused by exposure to a toxic chemical. It largely depends on the circumstances of your case and how you were exposed. To recover full compensation for your injuries, you or your attorney will need to identify the negligent party and source of exposure. Companies often try to shift blame to others or minimize their role in causing harm.

Parties who may be liable in toxic exposure cases include:

• Employers: Companies that fail to provide safety equipment, proper training, or adequate warnings about workplace chemical hazards.
• Property Owners: Landlords, building owners, or property managers who allow toxic conditions like mold, asbestos, or lead paint to exist without remediation or warning.
• Chemical Manufacturers: Companies that produce toxic substances without adequate safety testing, proper labeling, or appropriate warnings about health risks.
• Contractors and Subcontractors: Construction companies, renovation crews, or maintenance workers who disturb asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials without proper containment.
• Product Manufacturers: Companies that include toxic chemicals in consumer products without sufficient warnings or safer alternatives.
• Transportation Companies: Businesses that improperly transport, store, or dispose of hazardous materials leading to spills or environmental contamination.
• Government Entities: Municipalities or agencies responsible for water treatment, environmental monitoring, or enforcement of safety regulations who fail in their duties.

Evidence That Helps to Support Your Newport News Injury Claim of Toxic Exposure

Strong evidence plays a critical role in proving toxic exposure cases. Unfortunately, the burden of proving this exposure and resulting harm falls on the victim. You – or your attorney – must be able to demonstrate both that the exposure occurred and that it directly caused your injuries.

Companies often dispute whether exposure happened at all. They often try to argue or claim that other factors are responsible for your health problems. Gathering and preserving evidence soon after discovering your exposure strengthens your case significantly.

Essential evidence in toxic exposure cases includes:

• Comprehensive medical records documenting your symptoms, diagnoses, test results, and treatment history linking your condition to chemical exposure.
• Employment records, work assignments, and safety logs showing when and where you worked near toxic substances to establish the opportunity for exposure.
• Air quality tests, water samples, soil analyses, or environmental reports demonstrate the presence of toxic chemicals in your workplace or living environment.
• Material safety data sheets and chemical inventory records identify specific substances present at the exposure site.
• Testimony from coworkers, neighbors, or family members who witnessed your exposure or developed similar symptoms also help support your claim.
• Records of safety violations, OSHA citations, or regulatory complaints against the responsible party help by demonstrating a pattern of negligence.
• Expert testimony from toxicologists, industrial hygienists, and medical professionals who can explain how the chemical caused your specific injuries.
• Photographs or videos of the exposure site, contaminated areas, or lack of safety equipment help by visually illustrating dangerous conditions.
• Personal injury journals can be used to document your symptoms, exposure dates, and how your condition has progressed to create a detailed timeline of events.

Symptoms That May Indicate You Are a Victim of Toxic Exposure

Toxic exposure symptoms vary widely depending on the chemical involved, duration of exposure, and concentration of the substance. Some symptoms appear immediately after exposure, while others develop gradually over months or years.

Recognizing potential warning signs early on allows you to seek medical attention sooner. Your medical visit and resulting diagnosis help to provide a link between your initial exposure and resulting health problems.

Watch for these potential indicators of toxic chemical exposure:

• Respiratory Problems: Persistent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing that worsens over time.
• Neurological Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, tremors, numbness, or tingling in extremities.
• Skin Reactions: Rashes, burns, irritation, discoloration, or unusual lesions that develop after contact with chemicals.
• Digestive Issues: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or loss of appetite following exposure.
• Vision or Hearing Problems: Blurred vision, eye irritation, ringing in ears, or hearing loss that began after chemical contact.
• Chronic Fatigue: Overwhelming exhaustion, weakness, or inability to complete normal daily activities.
• Cancer Diagnosis: Development of mesothelioma, lung cancer, leukemia, or other cancers linked to specific toxic chemicals.
• Immune System Dysfunction: Frequent infections, slow healing, or development of autoimmune conditions.

Steps You Should Take if You Believe You Were Exposed to Toxic Chemicals in Newport News

Toxic exposure to a dangerous substance or chemical can cause significant harm or result in life-altering medical conditions. When you suspect toxic exposure, taking steps right away protects your health and preserves your legal rights.

• Seek medical attention immediately and inform your doctor that you may have been exposed to a toxic chemical. When possible, include what substance you believe you may have been exposed to and when.
• Request comprehensive testing and ask your physician to document the connection between your symptoms and possible toxic exposure in your medical records.
• Report the exposure to your employer, property owner, or appropriate authorities depending on where it occurred.
• Keep copies of all incident reports and correspondence.
• Preserve any physical evidence such as contaminated clothing, protective equipment you were using, or samples from the exposure site if safe to collect.
• Document everything related to your exposure including dates, locations, duration of contact, witnesses present, and symptoms you experience.
• Take photographs of the exposure site, warning labels, safety equipment, or conditions that may have contributed to or caused your exposure.
• Do not post anything about your case or toxic exposure on social media or with anyone other than your attorney and healthcare providers.
• Contact an experienced toxic exposure attorney before speaking with insurance companies or accepting any settlement offers.
• Never sign any documents or releases without first getting a legal review. You may be unknowingly waiving your right to pursue full compensation.

Contact Our Trusted Toxic Exposure Lawyers in Newport News for Help With Your Claim

Toxic exposure cases involve complex medical evidence, scientific testimony, and powerful defendants with extensive legal resources. To prove a specific chemical caused your illness, you need a thorough investigation, consultation with specialists, and aggressive legal help.

At PWHD, our toxic chemical exposure lawyers in Newport News have extensive experience managing toxic exposure injury cases. We know what it takes to build a successful and compelling case against negligent companies.

Call PWHD today to get a FREE, no-risk evaluation of your potential case. Our toxic chemical exposure lawyers in Newport News are ready to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.