2024 Guide to Toxic Torts Lawyers in San Francisco, CA

A "toxic tort" is the more formal term for when someone suffers a serious injury as a result of exposure to toxic materials. In these situations, injury lawyers work with their clients to investigate the circumstances of the chemical exposure, file claims in state or federal court, and stand up against corporations and insurance companies who deny wrongdoing. Toxic exposure lawyers can help you get the compensation you need to pay for your medical bills, ongoing medical expenses, and other costs after you've been exposed to harmful chemicals.

Toxic exposure is not just a legal issue, it is a health-related issue with serious ramifications. Whether as a result of environmental contamination, faulty products, or any other cause, the consequences of toxic exposure may include:

• Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and related health effects in asbestos exposure cases.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Birth defects.
• Silicosis (a lung disease that is caused by exposure to silica dust).
• Lead poisoning, which can come from exposure to lead paint and a variety of other materials that used to regularly contain lead.
• Bone marrow issues, blood cell damage, leukemia, and other forms of cancer from benzene exposure.

Sometimes, an exposure injury is so severe that it leads to the loss of a loved one. In these situations, a personal injury attorney can help you file a wrongful death claim against those who caused the loss.

Get a free case evaluation of your toxic exposure case to understand what options are available to you if you or a loved one have been exposed to toxic substances. Discuss your personal injury case or exposure injury with a toxic tort law firm in this directory to find out how you can hold those responsible for your serious injury or loss accountable for their actions. If you secure legal representation from the listed law firms, your communication with them will be protected by the attorney-client relationship and rules regarding client communication.

Many people who need to find a lawyer in California have never hired a lawyer before. Talking to a lawyer may be a new experience and you might want some help getting started. Here are some questions you may want to ask a lawyer before deciding who to hire.

• What is your main practice area?
• How many years of experience do you have in California with cases like mine?
• How often do you take cases to trial or settle them out of court?
• Can I take my case through mediation or arbitration?
• Do you offer a free consultation?
• What are your fees and costs?
• Will you be the attorney primarily handling my case?
• How will I be kept up-to-date about my case?

In order to practice law in California, attorneys have to both pass the California bar exam and be admitted by the State Bar of California. Most attorneys in California graduate from an accredited law school but some lawyers are admitted through on-the-job experience for a minimum of 4 years and through passing an additional legal exam. After a lawyer is admitted to law practice in California, they can practice in almost any area of law.

Lawyers in California are held to strict ethical guidelines known as the Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorneys may have duties and limitations in:

• Attorney-client confidentiality
• Duty of client advocacy
• Conflicts of interest
• Duty of candor
• Limitations in soliciting clients
• Restrictions on handling a client's money

Many people avoid calling a lawyer because they are worried it will be too expensive. In many cases, a lawyer can end up saving the client money. This includes getting an increased award, recovering additional damages, avoiding financial problems in the future, and avoiding future disputes and litigation. Some legal areas even allow the lawyer to recover legal fees from the party at fault.