South Carolina Toxic Tort Attorneys

The first step that you should take if you suspect that you or your child has been exposed to toxic substances is to contact a doctor immediately. After getting appropriate medical care, consult with an attorney who has handled toxic tort claims before or contact the Department of Public Health in your state or county.

If You Have Been or Are Being Exposed to Toxic Substances

A state court in Louisiana on June 20 began informing potential class members that a group of insurance companies agreed to pay $65.5 million to settle claims.   The corporations decided to do so because of lead paint in New Orleans public housing ended up causing thousands of children to get sick.

According to the Court notice to be eligible for recovery, members of the suit must have lived in or visited one of the affected houses before February 2001.  The families must have medical records that prove they were damaged by lead in community housing developments, or must have already filed a lawsuit.

The court notice said the resolution account will be created with payments from separate settlement agreements with National Union Fire Insurance Co., Lexington Insurance Co., U.S. Fire Insurance Co., Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association, Starr Indemnity & Liability Co., Scottsdale Insurance Co. and Travelers Insurance Co.

The plaintiffs’ lawyers said they intend to ask for up to 45 percent of the settlement fund, for fees and expenses, and will also ask for $15,000 to be paid to each of the five named plaintiffs and class representatives.

The attorneys said they estimate that up to 10,000 children may have been exposed to lead paint and as a result suffered a variety of physical, learning and behavioral problems.

  In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new plans to protect consumers from lead poisoning, which contain tougher restrictions on lead-based paint products. 

 Source:  Billieson et al. v. City of New Orleans et al.

If you or a loved one were exposed to a toxic substance and suffered injury contact The toxic tort attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. to discuss your situation in more detail and for further information about our practice. We welcome co-counsel opportunities and regularly accept referrals in toxic tort cases from lawyers practicing in other parts of the country.