Environmental Injury

Environmental Injury Attorneys in Seymour, Indiana

Exxon Valdez, Love Canal, and Bhopal Union Carbide: these phrases have become familiar. They represent just a few of the most well-known cases of environmental contamination. Over the last several decades, complex manufacturing and business interests have combined to make environmental contamination and environmental injury much more commonplace in our society. Toxic tort litigation, a legal term for a lawsuit involving this kind of contamination, is one of the ways our society protects itself against environmental polluters. Toxic torts usually involve exposure of individuals or communities to harmful or deadly chemicals. These lawsuits also cause changes in the dangerous and careless procedures that caused the contamination in the first place.

The Pardieck Law Firm is adept to this highly complex area of the law. Our attorneys provide exceptional legal representation to clients who have sustained an environmental injury. We pursue accountability. Contact The Pardieck Law Firm to speak with our environmental litigation lawyers.

Chemical Pollutants and Their Sources

The Pardieck Law Firm has represented clients who have been injured by chemicals such as Hexavalent Chromium, Mercury, Isocyanates, MTBE, Toluene, Trichloroethylene (TCE), Benzene, Xylene, nHexane, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Perchlorate, Chlorpyrifos, Lead, Arsenic, Pesticides, and others. Obvious sources of these chemicals would be chemical manufacturing plants, petroleum storage facilities, and oil refineries. But, pesticide applicators, railroad yards, dry cleaners, gas stations, landfills, and manufacturing plants that use chemicals in their processes may also be sources of contamination that are just as dangerous.

Environmental Injuries

There are many injuries that can be caused by chemicals. Sometimes, two or more chemicals combine in such a way that a lethal “chemical cocktail” is formed to cause even more serious environmental injury. Cognitive disorders and learning disabilities are common. Respiratory diseases like asthma and serious allergies are also commonly seen. Unfortunately, people who have been exposed to chemical pollutants are more likely to contract cancers of the bladder, brain, kidneys, blood (leukemia), and other forms of cancer. Neurological, heart, and liver conditions are also evident in those who have been exposed. In addition, a woman who is pregnant passes along her exposure to her unborn child.

Sources of Contamination

The three ways in which individual home-owners, businesses, and workers may be harmed are air contamination, ground water contamination, and soil contamination.

• Air Contamination: Air contamination occurs in many ways. Atmospheric contamination can occur when chemical companies or other businesses are releasing noxious fumes into the air, which then drift over people's homes and businesses. They may be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Harm can also be caused by ground water contamination or soil contamination.
• Ground Water Contamination: Ground water contamination usually arises when individuals have wells. The families who own the wells are then exposed to the chemicals through the drinking water, through contacting with the skin, or through breathing the poisonous fumes from heated water. The ground water, or aquifer, is contaminated with the specific chemicals released by the responsible party. The chemicals form into a “plume” that flows into the aquifer. Areas with low water tables may be particularly susceptible to contamination, resulting in atmospheric or air contamination in people's homes. If the pollutants emit vapors, like gasoline or other chemicals, they can invade homes and become a potent chemical cocktail.
• Soil Contamination: Soil contamination is usually caused by contaminated creek water, river water, or some other body of water that flows over and around areas near homes and businesses. It can also be caused by ground water pollution and the resulting “plume” that is described above. Contaminated soil is particularly insidious since it may be carried into the home where it may be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.

Experienced Environmental Contamination Litigation Attorneys

Environmental contamination can have devastating consequences. Our attorneys at The Pardieck Law Firm utilize our experience and comprehensive understanding of these issues to pursue compensation on behalf of individuals and families who have been impacted by environmental injuries.

Contact our Seymour law firm and schedule a case evaluation with our knowledgeable attorneys.