Toxic exposure can happen anywhere in the country, but Houston is particularly risky. The Houston area is home to the oil, gas, and chemical industries and shipyards. Workers are usually at the greatest risk for toxic exposure including asbestos and benzene exposure, but toxins are also for in homes, the soil, water, and air. If you or a loved one has become ill due to exposure to toxic substances our Houston toxic exposure attorneys can help.
Toxic Exposure Injuries
Different types of toxic substances lead to different types of injuries. Certain types of workers are at risk for more than one type of toxic exposure. For instance, oil refinery workers are likely to be exposed to both asbestos and benzene. Some of the common injuries caused by toxic exposure include:
- Respiratory illness
- Cancers
- Leukemia
- Brain injuries
- Neurological damage
- Organ damage
- Learning disabilities
- Birth defects
Asbestos
Asbestos is used in many industries, household products, and construction materials. Asbestos causes mesothelioma, a painful and deadly form of cancer. It also causes asbestosis which is not cancerous but can still kill you. The symptoms normally take 20 to 50 years to appear after being exposed. Asbestosis and pleural mesothelioma both affect the lungs. Other types of mesothelioma affect the abdominal organs, heart, and testicles.
Benzene
Benzene is found in petroleum products and a vast array of other products. Benzene poisoning can occur with just a few minutes of exposure to high levels of the substance and can be fatal. Symptoms include:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Tremors
- Loss of consciousness
More common are the illnesses caused by long-term exposure to the toxic chemical. Exposure to benzene is known to cause:
- Leukemia
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Other cancers
- Problems with bone marrow and blood production
- Respiratory problems
- Skin problems
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to toxic exposure, please call our Texas personal injury attorneys or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation with our personal injury lawyers is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, in most cases we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.