Nationally Recognized Toxic Tort and Environmental Exposure Attorneys
In addition to representing people injured by asbestos, the lawyers at Humphrey, Farrington & McClain have also represented individuals who were personally injured or had their property contaminated by other toxins such as formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), acids, benzene and other chemicals, dusts and metals.
We have handled state and national class actions on behalf of people whose property was contaminated by asbestos fibers, oil refinery leakage, dumping of trichloroethane (TCE) and people who purchased defective water heaters. We have also represented people with occupational injuries, such as those caused by exposure to vibration or from smoking cigarettes.
Our firm has represented dozens of building-owners forced to remove asbestos, lead and other dangerous insulation and products from their buildings. Our office has handled claims against manufacturers of asbestos and other toxic and environmentally dangerous products in 17 states, including Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, California, Ohio and West Virginia.
Contact our Kansas City environmental lawyer to arrange a consultation about your chemical exposure or toxic tort claim.
National Leader in Asbestos Claims
We have negotiated settlements of more than $100 million in asbestos personal injury and wrongful death actions and more than $120 million in asbestos-building contamination cases. Asbestos fibers have been the cause of injury and death to many thousands of people in the United States. Lack of warning or appropriate safeguards caused many people to be unnecessarily exposed to these hazardous fibers. Unfortunately, many companies in the asbestos industry were aware of the health hazards of asbestos, yet failed to warn the users or put adequate warnings on the product. Some companies actually hid their knowledge of this hazard from their customers.
Our experienced Kansas City environmental lawyers have handled claims against more than 70 different companies in the asbestos industry who manufactured, sold, or used asbestos products. We have also handled claims against manufacturers of respiratory equipment that did not protect against asbestos fibers adequately.
Our firm has established an extensive library of evidence documenting company knowledge of asbestos hazards. By interviewing workers and obtaining records of sales from manufacturers and others, we have assembled a list of potential job sites where asbestos may have been used. Through our representation of people exposed to asbestos, we have become familiar with medical doctors and hospitals across the United States that specialize in treating patients with asbestos-related diseases.
Other Toxic Torts and Chemical Exposure Claims
Many plaintiffs' firms claim to be able to handle the complexities of catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death claims arising out of environmental contamination and dangerous materials. The truth is, most do not have the financial and professional resources to take a case through years of investigation, case preparation, settlement negotiations, and if necessary, trial.
We have experience representing clients in individual and class action litigation involving toxic exposure, including contamination resulting from:
Trichloroethane (TCE)
TCE is a man-made volatile organic chemical used as a solvent, often for removing grease from metal parts. TCE enters the body through skin contact or when a person breathes air or drinks water containing TCE. TCE can cause cancer and central nervous system changes, including unconsciousness, death and other bodily injury.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical used in building materials and in the manufacture of many household products. It is frequently used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard; glues and adhesives; permanent-press fabrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials. It is also commonly used as an industrial fungicide, germicide and disinfectant, and as a preservative in mortuaries and medical laboratories. Exposure to formaldehyde, at any level, can cause a host of health problems, including: cancer of the throat and/or nose, coma, convulsions, intense pain in the mouth and stomach, nausea, vomiting, signs of shock, vertigo, stupor, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, bronchitis, allergic skin reactions, and death due to respiratory failure. Direct contact of the eyes with formaldehyde can cause permanent eye damage or loss of vision.
Benzene
Prolonged exposure to benzene on a job site has been linked to workers developing types of life-long and fatal leukemia. Benzene in the blood system infects cells that become cancerous in the bone marrow and spreads throughout the body. Certain areas of the country have high incidence rates of cancers caused by working with contaminated soil or products made with benzene. Our firm represents clients throughout the United States in toxic tort cases.
PCB Exposure
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are chemicals that are typically oily clear or yellow liquids that form a white, crystalline hard resin when mixed together. PCB products are often used by the electrical product manufacturers for wrapping and insulating electric cables and wires. PCBs are also used heavily in foundries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that there were nearly 50 contamination events involving the hazardous release of PCBs in Missouri between 1994 and 1998. PCB exposure has been linked to short-term respiratory problems and long-term liver and digestive problems.
Learn More At Our Toxic Substances Practice Center
From our offices in Independence, Missouri, our lawyers represent clients in individual and class action lawsuits relating to all types of exposure to toxic and hazardous materials and contamination in air, water and soil. We represent clients throughout Missouri, Kansas, and the United States. Contact us to arrange a free consultation.
