Environmental Attorney for Toxic Exposure

An environmental attorney represents their clients on matters dealing with a variety of issues related to the environment. They represent individuals, businesses, and sometimes parts of the government in a variety of litigious and administrative capacities. Everything from real estate transactions to housing developments may possibly have issues that involve matters that require the services of an environmental attorney.

Many of the cases that an environmental attorney represents involve disputes regarding property contaminated with pollution, the cost recovery process when damage to a property has taken place, and also issues in which a company or an individual has been non-compliant in regards to regulations. They work to get compensation and/or corrective action in these cases in the hope of remediating the underlying issue. Often these cases bring them before the Environmental Protection Agency or other government agencies.

One type of case that is often tried by an environmental attorney is when a company has contaminated the land or water with a toxic chemical. In these cases the lawyer works to get the client or clients monetary compensation in addition to forcing the offending business to clean-up the mess and prevent future contamination.

An example of the type of suits handled is a suit held against benzene exposure. Benzene is a chemical used to make plastics and other substances. It has been identified as a carcinogen and it is easily ingested through breathing the vapors of it or skin contact. Often the effects are slow in developing, so that over a period of time exposure may cause a variety of cancers or other life limiting illnesses.

Another of the common types of contamination involved in suits is lead poisoning. Lead poisoning results from a large amount of lead in the body which causes often devastating effects. It is particularly damaging because it was formerly used in a large variety of household goods as well as an additive in gasoline. Lead pipes for a long time also were used in plumbing so many old houses still have traces of the element in places where people may be exposed. Also, lead is a substance that can remain in soil and water for a very long time without dissipating. Even if an area is free from directly contributing sources of the chemical, traces of it are still likely around in the soil and surrounding areas.

A third and just as dangerous problem is toxic mold. This problem can cause respiratory conditions and sometimes death. Compared to some of the other problems, it is not a matter of contamination but rather of poor maintenance of facilities. Absent landlords and uncaring employers allow this situation to develop without some prevention or treatment, and as a result the people exposed to it suffer the consequences.

Regardless of what the source or what the pollutant may be, an environmental attorney can do a lot to help their clients. Not only can they bring litigation that will lead to compensation and remediation, but they can also put their clients in touch with resources to help them. They can refer them to medical specialists and support groups.