Toxic Exposure Attorneys Serving Texas

A Texas toxic exposure lawyer can help you navigate the legal process

Toxic exposure to chemical poisons, irritants, gases, smoke, pesticides, motor fuels, and more can result in severe long-term health complications for victims and even death. This type of personal injury can happen in many settings, such as workplaces, homes, community parks, and shopping centers.

The most common route of exposure is inhalation, but you can also be exposed through the skin and ingestion. Depending on the chemical with which you come into contact, consequences can be immediate or develop over time.

The Ferrell Law Group is committed to working closely with medical and chemical experts to thoroughly assess the extent of your injuries and pursue the compensation you rightfully deserve. Our experience enables us to effectively utilize the law to support your case, including applying the Jones Act in maritime incidents involving toxic exposure, as well as leveraging the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) in railroad cases related to toxic substances. Our goal is to ensure that your rights are fully protected and that you receive just compensation for your damages.

If you or a loved one has been affected by toxic exposure, you may have legal options for financial compensation. Contact us for a free case consultation to learn how a Texas toxic exposure attorney can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process.

Types of toxic exposure cases we handle

The Ferrell Law Group specializes in asbestos-related lung cancer, toxic exposure, and mesothelioma. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for lung cancer victims and their families across the 50 states. We handle cases involving all types of toxic exposure, including:

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), commonly referred to as firefighting foam, is a suppression agent designed to extinguish flammable liquid fires by forming a barrier that blocks oxygen, thereby preventing re-ignition. While AFFF is recognized for its effectiveness, it is also associated with significant health risks due to its toxic components. The foam contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). These substances are linked to an increased risk of cancer and damage to the liver and kidneys, among other health issues. Exposure to AFFF is primarily a concern for firefighters and individuals living or working near areas where firefighting training occurs or where accidental spills have happened. Contamination of water sources, such as lakes or drinking water supplies, by AFFF can lead to widespread health consequences for affected communities.
Asbestos exposure can cause various types of lung cancer, including mesothelioma and other diseases. Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after exposure. It can take from 10 to 40 years or more for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear.
Benzene is widely used in a number of industries and products, yet many people remain unaware of the toxic danger of this chemical. Exposure to products containing benzene, whether through inhalation or skin absorption, can cause life-threatening diseases including Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), lymphomas and aplastic anemia. Some of these diseases do not manifest themselves until several years after exposure to benzene. Due to certain statutes of limitations for bringing a claim of this nature, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible if you believe your condition is a result of benzene exposure.
Ethylene Oxide, a flammable gas, is widely used in the production of chemicals such as antifreeze and pesticides, as well as in sterilizing medical equipment and certain cosmetic products. Exposure to ethylene oxide can occur through inhalation or ingestion, and it has been associated with an increased risk of lymphoma, leukemia, stomach cancer, and breast cancer. Potential sources of exposure include tobacco smoke and the use of products that have been sterilized with ethylene oxide. Individuals working in or living near facilities that utilize ethylene oxide in their operations may face a heightened risk of exposure due to potential uncontrolled emissions from these industrial processes.
Formaldehyde, a pungent-smelling chemical, is found in a wide range of products and materials, including plywood, fiberboard, adhesives, fabrics, insulation, and disinfectants. It is recognized as a significant health hazard when exposure levels are high. The National Toxicology Program classifies formaldehyde as a “known human carcinogen,” a designation reflecting a consensus on its cancer-causing potential. Similarly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified formaldehyde as a “probable human carcinogen” since the 1980s, acknowledging the substantial evidence linking it to cancer risk. Common sources of exposure include cigarette smoke, emissions from unvented fuel-burning appliances (e.g., gas stoves and wood-burning stoves), and environments associated with high-risk professions, such as mortuaries and laboratories. Research has associated formaldehyde exposure with an increased risk of leukemia, specifically myeloid leukemia, and cancers of the lung, brain, and nasal passages, among others, especially when inhaled or when it comes into contact with the skin.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of man-made organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms. The United States banned PCBs in 1979, recognizing their environmental persistence and associated health risks, which include an increased risk for certain cancers (such as liver cancer and malignant melanoma), liver damage, and other adverse health effects. Prior to the ban, PCBs were widely used in numerous products and industrial applications, including in the manufacture of plastics, caulking, oil-based paints, adhesives, tape, fiberglass, felt, pigments, dyes, rubber products, hydraulic fluids, electrical transformers, and voltage regulators. Despite the ban, exposure to toxic PCBs can still occur today, primarily through environmental contamination at poorly managed hazardous waste sites, illegal dumping, leaks into groundwater and bodies of water, industrial accidents, and improper disposal practices. PCB exposure may happen through inhalation of contaminated air, ingestion of contaminated food or water, or contact with contaminated soil. Consuming fish from PCB-contaminated waters or using soil containing PCBs are common exposure pathways.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been utilized extensively since the 1940s in various industries and consumer products. These products include stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, water-resistant clothing, cleaning products, paints, and cosmetics. PFAS have been associated with an increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer, alterations in liver enzyme levels, and elevated cholesterol levels. In contemporary settings, the primary route of toxic PFAS exposure is through the consumption of contaminated food and beverages, which can include drinking water, fish, meat, dairy products, and vegetables. Additionally, food packaging materials that contain PFAS and the accidental inhalation or ingestion of contaminated dust or soil serve as significant sources of exposure.
PFCs are long-chain Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) that last a long time and are bioaccumulative, meaning that repeat exposure to PFCs typically increases the amount of the toxin in an exposed body. According to the EPA, continued exposure could "increase body burdens to levels that would result in adverse outcomes." Toxic PFC exposure is possible through inhalation, ingestion, and physical touch. It may be especially dangerous to children due to their toxic intake versus body weight. At home, PFCs are used in non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing. Industries use PFCs in oils, stains, greases, and to enhance fire resistance. Individuals at the highest risk for PFC exposure are those who work with the chemical or live near a facility that uses PFCs. The chemical can be found contaminating drinking water and soil. Lab tests link PFCs to hepatocellular adenomas, Leydig cell tumors, and pancreatic acinar tumors.
PFS water contamination. In May 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new lifetime health exposure guidelines for perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the water supply. After the EPA issued the new exposure limits, an advisory warning was provided to eight water systems in Alabama and more than fifty nationwide. The EPA advisory focused on PFOA and PFOS, man-made chemical compounds that are used in the manufacture of non-stick, stain-resistant, and water-proofing coatings on fabric, cookware, firefighting foam, and a variety of other consumer products. Exposure to the chemicals over time, even in trace amounts, could promote serious health problems, the EPA warns.
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, an herbicide widely used in agriculture and gardening. People can be exposed to glyphosate through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion of contaminated food or water. Exposure to glyphosate has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as well as other health problems. The danger of glyphosate exposure came to light when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen in 2015. This sparked controversy and legal battles, with some countries and organizations banning or restricting the use of glyphosate while others defend its safety.
Silica exposure is widespread. Health authorities report that every day, thousands of individuals in the U.S. are exposed to hazardous levels of silica dust. Silica, a naturally occurring mineral found abundantly in the earth's crust, has a wide range of industrial and commercial uses. However, the inhalation of silica dust poses significant health risks, particularly to workers engaged in mining, extracting, cutting, grinding, transporting, and installing materials that contain quartz, a common form of silica. Workers in professions such as construction, installation, mining, excavation, and various skilled trades are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer and silicosis, a severe lung disease. In residential environments, toxic silica particles can be found in products such as cleansers, cosmetics, quartz countertops, art supplies, pet litter, talcum powder, and caulking. Additionally, activities such as waste disposal, operating motor vehicles, forest fires, and quarrying can release tiny silica particles into the air. Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the diagnosis of silicosis, an irreversible and potentially fatal lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to respirable silica dust.
Vinyl Chloride is a controlled chemical primarily used in the production of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), a versatile plastic material with widespread applications in the manufacturing and construction industries, as well as in household products. PVC can be found in water and sewage pipes, packaging materials, furniture, housewares, and automotive parts, among other applications. Exposure to vinyl chloride, whether through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, has been associated with an increased risk of developing serious health issues, including liver and lung cancer. Individuals most at risk of exposure to harmful levels of vinyl chloride include those working in PVC manufacturing facilities, construction workers handling PVC materials, and residents living near such industrial sites or areas with high levels of environmental vinyl chloride pollution. These groups face the greatest likelihood of encountering toxic levels of vinyl chloride due to their proximity to its source or use.
Camp Lejeune water contamination. In August 2022, Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 that allows military personnel and their families who suffered injuries from this exposure to make a claim. If you or a loved one worked, lived, or served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 to 1987, and suffered health effects from water contamination, you may be entitled to compensation.

We take you seriously. Get financial compensation for toxic exposure damage

The effects of toxic exposure on people can vary widely depending on the type and amount of the substance and the duration of exposure. Some toxic substances can cause immediate harm, while others can take years to manifest symptoms. Toxic exposure can cause physical, emotional, and financial hardship, as individuals may require costly medical treatment and may be unable to work or care for themselves. It is crucial to seek medical attention if you suspect you have been exposed to a toxic substance and to speak with an attorney about your legal options for compensation.

Toxic exposure is a serious issue that can cause significant harm to individuals and their families. If you suspect that you have been exposed to a toxic substance, seek medical attention and speak with an attorney about your legal options. A Texas toxic exposure attorney can help you navigate the legal process and work to secure compensation for your damages. Don't wait to take action, contact us for a free case consultation right now.