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Chemical Exposure Can Mean a Lifetime of Injury
Humphrey, Farrington & McClain is recognized throughout the region and the United States for standing up and fighting many of the largest chemical companies responsible for exposing innocent people to dangerous chemicals. The two cases below illustrate our capacity and resources to handle the most complex personal injury and wrongful death claims resulting from chemical exposure.
Class Action Chemical Exposure Lawsuits
In two separate class action lawsuits, our firm represented approximately 650 homeowners in Joplin, Missouri, who lived on property where the water was contaminated by trichloroethane (TCE), dumped there by a local manufacturer.
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. After enough exposure over time, it can cause cancer and changes to the central nervous system, including unconsciousness, bodily injury and death. In the Joplin cases, TCE seeped into the underground aquifer, a source of drinking water for many families with wells.
Once the contamination was discovered, the Environmental Protection Agency mandated that the families stop drinking the well water and use bottled water. The claims were settled for nearly $12 million.
Individual Chemical Exposure Lawsuits
Our firm obtained a settlement on behalf of a person suffering from chemically induced reactive airways disease (RADS) and mast cell sensitivity caused by exposure to formaldehyde. The formaldehyde had been off-gassed from cabinets recently installed in the client's work area.
The illness left the worker susceptible to symptoms such as vomiting, chest pain, diarrhea, respiratory problems and swelling whenever she came into contact with other odors. Common odors such as perfume, cologne, perfumed soaps, diesel fumes and other smells triggered symptoms. A claim was filed against the building owner for failure to institute and enforce an indoor air quality program and against the cabinet contractor for failure to post material safety data sheets or otherwise provide any warning. A separate workers' compensation claim was also filed against the employer.
We have obtained verdicts and settlements totaling more than $1 billion, showing that we have the experience and resources to represent both individuals and classes of victims in all types of complex chemical exposure and toxic tort claims, including:
- Environmental contamination of soil, air and water
- Workplace exposure
- Building contamination
- Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma
- Beryllium, benzene, PCBs and other hazardous industrial materials
Our Kansas City injury attorneys have been paving the way to stop irresponsible dumping and contamination by chemical and industrial companies since 1984. If you are concerned about chemical exposure in your personal life or in your community, contact our firm online or call 888-353-0491.
