Galveston Chemical Exposure Lawyer

Legal Help for People Harmed by Toxic Chemicals in Galveston County

Daspit Law Firm represents workers and residents who became sick or injured after exposure to hazardous chemicals. That includes sudden releases that send people to the emergency room and slow, long-term exposure that leads to cancer or lung disease years later.

These are known as toxic tort claims. They require scientific proof, medical experts and early investigation. Call (281) 748-2044 for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney fee unless we win.

How Chemical Exposure Happens Around Galveston Bay

Galveston County is home to refineries, chemical plants, storage terminals, pipelines and a busy port. Chemicals move by ship through the Port of Galveston and the Houston Ship Channel, by rail through the mainland, and by truck on I-45. Most of the time they stay contained. When they do not, both workers and neighbors can be harmed.

Sudden Releases and Shelter-in-Place Events

A leak, fire or explosion can send a cloud of toxic gas over nearby neighborhoods. Residents near the Texas City industrial area have been told to shelter in place during past plant incidents. Workers inside the fence line often face the highest concentrations. Read about a recent example in our post on the chemical plant explosion in Shepherd, Texas. If a release injured you on the job, our refinery and plant accident lawyers can review the incident itself.

Long-Term Occupational Exposure

Other harm builds slowly. Workers who handle solvents, fuels, coatings or process chemicals for years may develop serious illness long after the exposure. Contractors, tank cleaners, painters, sandblasters, welders and maintenance crews are often at risk.

Chemicals and Illnesses We Investigate

Toxic tort cases usually connect a specific substance to a specific illness. Common examples on the Gulf Coast include:

•      Benzene, linked to leukemia, including acute myeloid leukemia, and other blood disorders

•      Hydrogen sulfide, which can cause loss of consciousness, lung damage and death

•      Chlorine and ammonia, which can cause chemical burns to the eyes, skin and lungs

•      Hydrofluoric acid, used at some refineries, which causes deep tissue burns

•      Butadiene, ethylene oxide and other petrochemicals linked to certain cancers

•      Solvents and degreasers linked to nerve, liver and kidney damage

•      Silica dust from sandblasting, linked to silicosis

OSHA sets specific exposure limits for many of these substances. Its benzene standard, for example, requires monitoring and medical surveillance for exposed workers. When employers or plant operators ignore these rules, they may be held accountable.

Asbestos is a separate type of toxic exposure with its own legal rules. If you have mesothelioma or asbestosis, visit our Galveston asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers page.

Who Can Be Held Responsible

•      Plant and refinery owners that released chemicals into the air or workplace

•      Contractors and employers who failed to provide respirators, monitoring or training

•      Chemical manufacturers that sold products without adequate warnings

•      Pipeline, rail, trucking and shipping companies involved in a spill

•      Waste handlers that stored or disposed of hazardous materials improperly

Toxic tort claims focus on harm to your health. If chemicals or oil and gas operations damaged your land, water or property value, see our page on property contamination claims.

Texas Law in Toxic Tort Cases

Proving Causation

Texas courts require reliable scientific evidence that the chemical can cause your illness and likely did cause it in your case. That usually means expert testimony from toxicologists, industrial hygienists and treating physicians, along with records showing the level and length of your exposure.

Filing Deadlines and the Discovery Rule

Most Texas personal injury claims must be filed within two years. In latent disease cases, the clock may not start until you knew, or reasonably should have known, that your illness was related to the exposure. Because this rule is applied case by case, it is best not to wait.

Workers' Comp, Shared Fault and Group Claims

If your employer has workers' comp, an occupational disease claim may go through that system, while claims against plant owners or manufacturers can proceed separately. Recovery is reduced by any share of fault assigned to you under Chapter 33. When many people are harmed by the same release, a class action or mass tort may be an option.

Damages in Chemical Exposure Claims

•      Emergency care, ongoing treatment and future medical monitoring costs

•      Lost wages and lost earning capacity

•      Pain, mental anguish and reduced quality of life

•      Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one

•      Exemplary damages when a company acted with gross negligence, proven by clear and convincing evidence

Why Choose Daspit Law Firm for a Toxic Tort Claim

Attorney John Daspit spent years as an insurance defense lawyer, which helps him anticipate how chemical companies and their insurers will challenge causation. He also worked thousands of hours on litigation following the 2005 BP Texas City refinery explosion.

We work with qualified medical and scientific experts, request air monitoring and incident data, and gather your work history. Exposure claims often overlap with industrial accident cases, and we handle both. We offer home and hospital visits in English and Spanish.

Talk to a Galveston Chemical Exposure Lawyer

If you or a family member became ill after a chemical release or years of workplace exposure, call (281) 748-2044 or request a free case evaluation. We are available 24/7, and there is no fee unless we win.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a toxic tort?

A toxic tort is a personal injury claim for harm caused by exposure to a dangerous substance, such as benzene, hydrogen sulfide or chlorine. The injured person must show that the defendant exposed them to the substance, that it can cause the illness at issue, and that it more likely than not caused their specific illness.

Can I file a claim if I was exposed during a shelter-in-place event?

Possibly. Residents and workers who suffered real injuries, such as breathing problems, burns or a hospital visit, after a plant release may have claims against the company responsible. Being under a shelter-in-place order alone is usually not enough. Medical records linking your symptoms to the release are important, so see a doctor promptly.

How long do I have to file a chemical exposure lawsuit in Texas?

The general deadline is two years. For illnesses that appear years after exposure, Texas courts may apply the discovery rule, which can delay the start of the clock until you knew or should have known the illness was linked to the exposure. Exceptions are narrow, so speak with a lawyer soon after a diagnosis.

How do I prove a chemical caused my illness?

Proof usually comes from several sources: your work and exposure history, air monitoring or incident data, your medical records, and expert opinions from toxicologists and physicians. Texas courts expect reliable scientific studies showing the substance can cause your condition at the level you were exposed. An experienced firm will build this evidence from the start.

What is the difference between a chemical exposure claim and a property contamination claim?

A chemical exposure claim seeks compensation for harm to your body, such as illness, burns or lost income. A property contamination claim seeks compensation for damage to your land, water or property value, often from oil and gas operations or pipeline leaks. Some incidents give rise to both, and we can evaluate them together.