$
0
Billion
Recovered in Verdicts and Settlements
Toxic exposure on the job is one of the most insidious forms of workplace danger. Unlike sudden machinery accidents or falls, exposure to harmful chemicals or substances can build quietly over time—often without any immediate symptoms. But the long-term effects can be devastating, leading to chronic illness, permanent disability, or even death.
When these outcomes are caused by unsafe working conditions or a failure to provide proper protections, you may have legal options that go beyond workers’ compensation. The lawyers at Nix Patterson can help you investigate your exposure, identify negligent third parties, and pursue full compensation through civil litigation. We do not handle workers’ compensation claims. Instead, we represent people who have suffered severe injuries and illnesses as a result of preventable workplace hazards.
Many workers assume that if they don’t work in a factory or chemical plant, they aren’t at risk. But toxic exposure can happen in a wide variety of environments—from construction sites and office buildings to hospitals and farms.
Toxic exposure occurs when harmful substances enter the body through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. Some of the most dangerous substances include:
Even low levels of exposure, when repeated over time, can result in serious health issues. And in high concentrations, some of these substances can cause immediate injury.
Acute exposure happens in a short timeframe—often during a spill, equipment failure, or accident. Chronic exposure develops over weeks, months, or even years of repeated contact. In either case, symptoms can be difficult to trace back to a specific source without legal and medical guidance.
At Nix Patterson, our lawyers work with toxicologists, industrial hygienists, and medical experts to pinpoint when and how your exposure occurred. We use this insight to build a case that connects your illness or injury to unsafe workplace conditions.
The effects of toxic substances vary depending on the substance, level of exposure, and the length of time you were exposed. But across all industries, exposure-related injuries and illnesses tend to be serious, progressive, and life-altering. Some of the most common conditions linked to toxic exposure include:
These diagnoses often require long-term treatment, repeated hospitalization, and lifestyle changes. In many cases, victims are no longer able to work, care for themselves, or participate fully in daily life.
The lawyers at Nix Patterson will work with your medical team and expert witnesses to fully assess the scope of your illness. We incorporate this information into a detailed legal strategy designed to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Toxic exposure is rarely the result of a single event. More often, it’s the outcome of repeated oversights, poor safety practices, or a disregard for regulatory requirements. Understanding how and why exposure occurs is key to identifying legal liability.
Employers have a legal responsibility to protect their workers from known hazards. When they fail to implement proper ventilation systems, provide protective gear, or follow chemical handling guidelines, they may be creating a dangerous work environment.
In many industries, workers handle hazardous materials without being fully informed of the risks. If you were not trained on safe handling procedures or were given improper instructions, this may constitute negligence.
Sometimes, the source of exposure is not the employer, but a defective product. Faulty ventilation systems, leaking containers, or poorly manufactured protective gear can all contribute to dangerous conditions. In these cases, liability may extend to manufacturers, distributors, or maintenance contractors.
The lawyers at Nix Patterson investigate every possible cause of your exposure. We review workplace safety audits, equipment logs, employee handbooks, and prior complaints to trace where the failure occurred.
Because most workers are limited in their ability to sue employers directly, toxic exposure lawsuits often focus on third parties—such as contractors, suppliers, or manufacturers—whose negligence created or worsened the risk.
In many workplaces, multiple entities may share responsibility for safety. These may include:
At Nix Patterson, our lawyers know how to identify and pursue claims against these third parties. We examine contractual relationships, conduct depositions, and gather evidence from across the supply chain to show how their actions contributed to your exposure.
Unlike workers’ compensation claims, civil lawsuits allow you to seek broader damages—including pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and punitive damages when applicable. We focus on maximizing your recovery and forcing negligent companies to take responsibility for their actions.
To succeed in a toxic exposure lawsuit, your legal team must clearly link your illness or injury to a specific source and prove that the responsible party failed to meet their legal obligations. This requires detailed investigation, technical expertise, and a strong litigation strategy.
Each case must demonstrate:
We work closely with scientific experts to perform chemical analyses, reconstruct workplace exposure scenarios, and provide medical assessments. These insights help establish both causation and liability.
Gathering the right evidence is critical in any toxic exposure case. It’s not enough to show you’ve been sick—you must also demonstrate how your illness directly resulted from hazardous substances in your workplace. That’s why our legal team at Nix Patterson takes a comprehensive and systematic approach to collecting proof.
We begin by reviewing your medical records and diagnostic test results to establish a clinical connection between your condition and the toxic agent. These documents help us show not just what went wrong, but when and how it likely began. We then analyze your work history and job duties to understand your routine exposure and the safety protocols—or lack thereof—in your environment.
We also obtain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that outline the risks associated with the substances you worked around. If your employer failed to share this critical information or ignored its warnings, that negligence becomes a key part of your claim. We cross-reference these findings with OSHA citations and workplace inspection records to uncover any past violations or overlooked hazards.
Coworker statements and eyewitness accounts further help us piece together what happened, especially if others on-site experienced similar symptoms or witnessed dangerous practices. Finally, we use industry safety guidelines and training documentation to show how your employer—or another responsible party—fell short of the legal standard.
By assembling this wide range of evidence, we build a case that not only proves how your injury occurred but demonstrates how easily it could have been avoided if proper precautions had been taken.
Toxic exposure injuries often have long-term consequences that go far beyond a hospital stay. Victims may face years of lost income, costly rehabilitation, or permanent disability. A civil lawsuit offers the chance to recover compensation that reflects the full impact of your injury.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills related to your toxic exposure injury. This includes not only past expenses such as emergency treatment and hospital stays, but also the cost of future care—such as surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and follow-up visits.
If your illness or injury has prevented you from working, either temporarily or permanently, we pursue recovery for the income you’ve lost. In cases where your condition reduces your ability to earn a living going forward, we also account for diminished earning capacity.
The physical pain and emotional toll of a serious exposure injury can be immense. Compensation for pain and suffering aims to account for your ongoing physical discomfort, mental anguish, and psychological hardship.
Many exposure-related conditions require extensive rehabilitation or lifelong care. You may need assistance with mobility, speech, or basic daily activities. We work with medical and life care experts to calculate the full cost of ongoing support.
If your injuries have made it difficult or impossible to participate in the activities you once enjoyed—whether that means hobbies, exercise, or time with loved ones—you may be compensated for this significant loss.
Toxic exposure can lead to disabilities that require changes to your living space. Ramps, stair lifts, widened doorways, and specialized equipment may all be needed to maintain your independence. These expenses are factored into your claim.
Emotional distress caused by a life-altering illness or diagnosis can affect every part of your life. This form of non-economic damage may be recoverable when emotional or psychological trauma accompanies a physical injury.
In cases involving gross negligence or misconduct—such as knowingly exposing workers to harmful substances—punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish wrongdoing and deter similar behavior by others.
At Nix Patterson, our lawyers consult medical professionals, economists, and life care planners to ensure that your damages are fully documented and properly valued. We build every case with these long-term impacts in mind.
If you believe that toxic exposure at work has caused your illness or worsened your health, taking immediate steps can help protect both your well-being and your legal rights.
Get evaluated by a doctor who understands occupational illnesses. Follow all treatment recommendations carefully. This not only supports your health but also creates a clear medical record linking your condition to your workplace exposure.
Write down everything you can remember about the substances you handled, the conditions you worked in, and the dates of any known incidents or symptoms. The more detail you can provide, the stronger your case may be.
Keep copies of any incident reports, safety warnings, photographs of your job site, emails, and medical documents. This documentation may be critical to demonstrating how your exposure occurred and who may be responsible.
Others may have experienced similar symptoms or shared your working conditions. Their testimony can help corroborate your account and support your legal claim.
Do not sign any settlement agreements, waivers, or liability forms before consulting a lawyer. These documents can affect your ability to seek full compensation later.
The lawyers at Nix Patterson can guide you through these important first steps. We act quickly to protect your rights and preserve key evidence.
We understand how disorienting and frightening a toxic exposure diagnosis can be. You may be facing mounting medical bills, uncertain employment prospects, and serious health challenges. Our team is here to support you, fight for your rights, and seek the compensation you need to move forward.
When you reach out to Nix Patterson, we begin with a free, confidential case evaluation. We investigate the source of your exposure, identify responsible third parties, and gather expert insight and documentation to support your claim. All litigation costs are covered upfront, and you only pay if we win your case.
With decades of experience and a track record of success in complex litigation, our lawyers are equipped to take on powerful companies and fight for the outcome you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition related to toxic exposure in the workplace, don’t wait. Contact Nix Patterson to explore your legal options. We can help you determine if you have a case and guide you through the next steps with clarity and compassion.
Reach out to us today for a free consultation. Let us help you pursue justice, protect your rights, and move forward with strength.
Nix Patterson only works on a contingency fee basis. Our clients pay us nothing unless we win. Schedule a free consultation today. Call 512.328.5333 or complete the form below.
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The information on this site is for informational purposes only. Though it deals with legal issues, it should not be taken as legal advice for any specific case or situation. The law changes rapidly, and we make no warranty or guarantee about the accuracy or reliability of the content or links on this site. Every case and legal issue is different. Speak with a lawyer for specific advice.
This site is not intended to create, and viewing it does not create, an attorney-client relationship. The verdicts and settlements shown on this site are intended to be representative of cases Nix Patterson handles. These listings are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome of any other cases or claim. Results in litigation can never be guaranteed.
La información contenida en este sitio tiene únicamente fines informativos. Aunque trata de cuestiones jurídicas, no debe tomarse como asesoramiento jurídico para ningún caso o situación específicos. La legislación cambia rápidamente y no garantizamos la exactitud o fiabilidad de los contenidos o enlaces de este sitio. Cada caso y asunto jurídico es diferente. Hable con un abogado para obtener asesoramiento específico.
Este sitio no pretende crear, y su consulta no crea, una relación abogado-cliente. Los veredictos y acuerdos mostrados en este sitio pretenden ser representativos de los casos que maneja Nix Patterson. Estos listados no son una garantía o predicción del resultado de cualquier otro caso o reclamación. Los resultados en litigios nunca pueden ser garantizados.