Toxic tort cases tend to be rather difficult to prove since it is generally not an easy task to successfully reveal a connection between one’s exposure to toxic chemicals and their resulting injury or disease. Some cancers, for example, can take over 25 years to develop after exposure to the chemical that caused it. Oftentimes, the key to successful toxic tort actions is hidden in plain sight, waiting to be noticed in a technical report, analytical data, or ecological studies. Pharmacokinetics, can be used to help effectively prove a toxic tort case by studying the way we absorb, distribute, and eliminate a chemical.
How is Pharmacokinetics Used?
Unlike toxicology, which measures the effect of a chemical on an animal, pharmacokinetics measures the effect of the animal on a chemical. Through this method, one can determine how much of a chemical is in the body when an animal is exposed to it repeatedly or continuously, as a person might be while in a work environment that is laden with dangerous toxic chemicals. Additionally, when combined with accurate analytical measurements and knowledge of the length of exposure, pharmacokinetic data on the rate of elimination in humans can accurately calculate the dose of chemicals received by a victim.
A key element in proving a toxic tort case is being able to measure the difference between exposure and dose, which is why pharmacokinetics can play such a critical role in these types of cases. A successful outcome for a toxic tort case will allow an injured person to receive monetary compensation for the consequences of that exposure, which includes:
- Expenses related to past and future medical care
- The cost of rehabilitation
- Lost wages, both past and future
- Loss of earning capacity, including fringe benefits
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Embarrassment and inconvenience
If you believe you were exposed to harmful toxic chemicals and are now suffering from an injury or illness as a result, it is critical that you seek the skilled legal assistance of a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Given the complexity of these cases, it is imperative to have an attorney who is experienced in handling such matters.
Toxic Tort Attorney in Mississippi
At Richard Schwartz & Associates Injury Lawyer, P.A., our toxic tort attorneys in Mississippi understand the difficulties that are often associated with toxic tort cases and have the experience, knowledge, and resources to effectively handle these complex issues. If you were injured or developed an illness caused by toxic exposure, you need to take legal action now. Reach out to our team.