Chemical exposure incidents can cause serious injuries after spills, toxic releases, or unsafe workplace exposure. If you or a loved one was harmed in Charleston or Chemical Valley, call (304) 720-6700 or message Tiano O’Dell, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation.
Why Clients Trust Us
- Our firm treat clients and families with respect while helping them make sense of complex chemical exposure claims.
- We have the experience and resources to investigate cases involving industrial sites, toxic substances, and corporate safety failures.
- We believe companies that expose people to dangerous chemicals must be held responsible for the harm they cause.
Our Results
Tiano O’Dell, PLLC has secured significant results in serious injury, wrongful death, and defective product cases, including:
- $10 million settlement for a brain injury case involving a college student.
- $5 million settlement for a wrongful death case.
- $3 million verdict against Ford Motor Company for a defective product involving a stuck gas pedal.
Chemical Exposure Risks in the Charleston Area
Charleston has a long industrial history, and residents and workers in this region may face exposure risks from chemical plants, storage facilities, transportation routes, workplaces, and contaminated properties. Those risks increase significantly in Chemical Valley, the industrial corridor along the Kanawha River near Charleston, Institute, and South Charleston. Chemical exposure incidents may involve:
- Industrial leaks or chemical releases.
- Workplace exposure to toxic substances.
- Trucking or rail accidents involving hazardous materials.
- Contaminated water, soil, or air.
- Defective products containing unsafe chemicals.
- Improper chemical storage or disposal.
- Failure to warn nearby residents or workers of known risks.
- Gas drilling.
Some injuries appear immediately, while others develop slowly over months or years.
Injuries Linked to Toxic Exposure
Chemical exposure can affect nearly every part of the body. The severity depends on the chemical involved, the amount of exposure, the duration of exposure, and the victim’s health. Possible injuries include:
- Burns to the skin, eyes, throat, or lungs.
- Respiratory damage and breathing problems.
- Neurological symptoms, including memory problems or tremors.
- Kidney or liver damage.
- Reproductive harm or pregnancy complications.
- Cancer or increased cancer risk.
- Severe allergic or immune system reactions.
- Fatal injuries in high-dose exposure incidents.
The effects of chemical exposure can last long after the initial incident. You may face ongoing medical care, reduced ability to work, chronic pain, breathing problems, neurological symptoms, or fear about future health complications.
West Virginia Chemical Exposure Laws
Chemical exposure claims may involve several laws and legal theories depending on what happened.
Product Liability
Under West Virginia Code §55-7-31, product liability may apply when a defective or dangerous product causes injury. The statute defines product liability actions as claims involving harm caused by a product’s “manufacture, construction, design,” warnings, instructions, labeling, marketing, or sale.
Comparative Negligence
Under West Virginia Code §55-7-13A, “comparative fault” refers to the percentage of fault that contributed to injury, death, or property damage. If the injured person shares responsibility, any compensation may be reduced by that percentage.
Wrongful Death
If a toxic exposure causes death, West Virginia Code §55-7-6 may allow surviving family members to recover damages for “sorrow, mental anguish, and solace,” funeral expenses, and the loss of income, services, protection, care, and assistance.
Why Hiring a Charleston Chemical Exposure Incident Attorney Is Critical
Chemical exposure cases are difficult because the source of harm is not always obvious. Companies may deny responsibility, point to other possible causes, or claim that the exposure level was too low to cause injury. A Charleston Personal Injury Attorney can:
- Investigate where and how the exposure occurred.
- Preserve records from employers, manufacturers, property owners, or industrial sites.
- Work with medical, toxicology, industrial hygiene, and environmental experts.
- Identify all responsible parties and available insurance coverage.
- Calculate damages tied to medical care, lost income, future treatment, and long-term harm.
- Negotiate with insurers and prepare the case for trial when needed.
By handling the entire claims process, an attorney can reduce the legal stress on you and your family while you focus on your health.
Contact Us Today
Call (304) 720-6700 or message Tiano O’Dell, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation with our Charleston, West Virginia chemical exposure incident attorney.
