Chicago Toxic Chemical Exposure Lawyer

Attorneys Representing Victims of Dangerous Chemicals Throughout Chicagoland Area

A variety of laws, regulations, and agencies have been put in place to protect public safety in the United States and ensure that citizens are free from the danger of toxic substances being released into the environment. Sadly, there are many cases in which companies fail to meet their requirements, and they often put large numbers of people in danger of harm as a result. Whether this occurs out of greed or carelessness, it is a form of negligence, and these companies should be held responsible for the serious injuries caused by exposure to harmful chemicals.

At Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, LLC, our personal injury lawyers have over 20 years of experience working to protect public safety and pursue justice for the victims of toxic chemical exposure. We are committed to holding negligent companies responsible and helping put policies in place that protect and enhance public safety.

Prominent Cases Involving Toxic Chemicals

Sadly, instances in which companies act negligently and risk the health of the public are far from rare. The following are only a few examples of negligence which have put people in danger and caused serious injuries to large numbers of victims:

• In 2019, air monitoring tests demonstrated widespread ethylene oxide pollution in northern Illinois from two facilities operated by Medline and Vantage Specialty Chemicals. Ethylene oxide is a toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic gas which many have linked to a variety of cancers, miscarriages, birth defects, and other life-altering health effects. For decades prior, local residents and workers surrounding these facilities were unknowingly exposed to ethylene oxide.
• In 2018, a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that a facility in Willowbrook, Illinois operated by Sterigenics International had been releasing ethylene oxide, a dangerous carcinogen, into the atmosphere for years. These emissions have put tens of thousands of residents at risk of cancer, miscarriages, infertility, birth defects, brain and nervous system damage, neurological disorders, emphysema, pulmonary edema, and bronchitis.
• In 2002, a mercury spill by Nicor Gas resulted in the contamination of more than 1,000 homes in dozens of suburbs throughout the Chicago area. This mercury exposure put many families at risk of serious damage to the brain, nervous system, and kidneys.
• Between 1989 and 1999, at least 19 employees who worked at the Amoco Research Center in Naperville, Illinois contracted a rare form of brain cancer known as glioma. In many cases, these workers were chemical researchers, and the brain tumors they experienced were found to be work-related.
• In 2015, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) found that there was a link between Glyphosate, the primary chemical in the weedkiller Roundup, and cancer. These findings have led to a number of lawsuits being filed against Monsanto, the herbicide's manufacturer, after users contracted diseases such as non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
• Since 2002, people have become aware of the dangers of diacetyl, a chemical used in a variety of food products to simulate the taste and smell of butter. In recent years, lawsuits have been filed against a number of food product manufacturers for severe lung disease caused by the inhalation of this chemical.

Contact Our Illinois Hazardous Chemical Exposure Attorneys

Exposure to harmful chemicals can result in serious injuries to individuals and families, leading to debilitating conditions that impact people's health for years. In many cases, these toxic substances can lead to wrongful death. At TKK, we understand the devastating financial impact that these illnesses can have on a family, especially when they involve life-long health problems and disability. We are dedicated to holding negligent companies responsible for the harm they have caused, ensuring that victims are able to receive the compensation that will allow them to recover from their injuries. If you have been exposed to toxic chemicals in your home or at work, we can provide you with the legal help you need. Contact our office at 312-605-8800 to set up a free consultation.