What Evidence is Needed for a Water Contamination Case?
The evidence needed for a toxic exposure case generally falls into three categories. This includes information about jobs you have held with details of toxins that were present at your job sites or environmental surveys showing toxin concentrations around your home or workplace. You will also need medical records documenting diagnoses, treatments, timeline and worsening of symptoms, and therapy you have received that are arguably related to toxin exposure.
Our team of attorneys at Douglas & London understands the complexity of an environmental toxic exposure lawsuit, from class action suits resulting from widespread chemical exposure in common consumer products to individual cases involving chemicals and solvents that leach into the water, air, and eventually human bodies. If you have been diagnosed with a serious illness that is likely the result of your exposure to environmental toxins in contaminated water anywhere in the United States or its territories, contact a toxic exposure attorney today.
What Evidence is Necessary to Prove Your Toxic Exposure Case?
As noted above, the crucial evidence that will prove your toxic exposure case generally falls into three categories:
Evidence of Your Exposure to Toxic Substances
- Information about jobs you have held with details of toxins that were present at your job sites.
- Environmental surveys showing toxin concentrations around your home or workplace.
- Statements and records from witnesses who have suffered similar toxin-related issues.
Evidence of Your Medical Problems
You will need health and medical records that document the following:
- Any medical diagnoses, treatments, timeline and worsening of symptoms, and therapy you have received that are arguably related to toxin exposure.
- Bills and invoices for all medical services and treatments you received.
- Testimony from medical and environmental experts that verify the link between your exposure to toxin-contaminated water and your adverse medical symptoms.
Evidence and Proof of Causation
This includes evidence that shows a causal link between your exposure to contaminated water and your illness, such as:
- Peer-reviewed studies showing a statistical link between a toxin and your medical problems.
- Expert analysis of the levels of toxins to which you may have been exposed and the verified effects of that exposure.
Your legal team at Douglas & London will thoroughly investigate your claim, subpoena documents if necessary, take sworn statements called depositions, and help you collect all the medical evidence, environmental research, and expert testimony you need to prove your claim in court.
Proving Negligence in a Water Contamination Case
To successfully secure restitution in your case, a toxic tort lawyer will have to demonstrate the following:
Duty of Care
The defendant (e.g., a company, municipality, or property owner) had a legal duty to ensure the water supply was safe and uncontaminated. For example, a company storing hazardous materials near a water source has a duty to prevent leaks or spills that could contaminate the water.
Breach of Duty
The defendant failed to uphold its duty by acting negligently or failing to take reasonable precautions. For example, a chemical plant improperly disposed of waste or failed to maintain containment systems.
Causation
A clear link must be established between the defendant’s actions (or inactions) and the water contamination by showing that the contamination was directly caused by the defendant’s actions, such as dumping pollutants into a river, and that this was a foreseeable consequence of the defendant’s behavior.
Damages
The victim must have suffered damages due to the contamination, such as lost wages, medical expenses, and emotional distress.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Douglas & London
The water contamination and toxic exposure lawyers at Douglas & London have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients who have suffered illnesses caused by exposure to environmental toxins. We understand the challenges of pursuing damages from negligent entities that dump toxins into water supplies, and we consistently overcome those challenges to get our clients the fair and just compensation they deserve. Please call our offices today to schedule a free consultation.
