By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Attorney at Law | Shin Law Office
If you ask the average person to name a personal injury case, they will probably think of a car wreck or a slip-and-fall.
But in my line of work, there’s another category of injury that’s less visible but no less important:
Toxic Tort Litigation in Virginia.
Toxic tort cases involve exposure to dangerous chemicals or substances, often without the victim even realizing it until it’s too late.
Let me explain in English:
What Is Toxic Tort?
A toxic tort is a legal claim alleging that a hazardous substance caused harm to an individual.
That substance might be in the air, water, soil, food, or even a product. Common examples include:
- Mold in your apartment or office
- Asbestos in older buildings
- Pesticides on your lawn
- Lead paint in homes built before 1978
- Industrial waste or chemical spills in your neighborhood
Sometimes the exposure happens over time.
At other times, it’s the result of a single major incident, such as a chemical plant leak.
The Big Difference: Tort vs. Toxic Tort
Regular tort law is about someone getting hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, like a slip and fall.
Toxic torts are more complicated because they involve invisible dangers and delayed harm.
You may not feel sick today. But months or years later, you start to experience health issues like:
- Breathing problems
- Rashes or skin irritation
- Nerve damage
- Cancer
That’s when I step in.
How I Approach a Toxic Tort Case
These cases aren’t easy. I don’t just file a complaint and wait. I build from the ground up.
Here’s what I focus on:
Exposure Proof
I gather records—property reports, water tests, air quality readings, and any other documentation that indicates you were exposed to a harmful substance.
Medical Evidence
I work with doctors, specialists, and sometimes toxicologists to prove a link between the exposure and your health problems.
Causation
This is the hardest part. I have to show not just that you were exposed, but that the exposure made you sick. I use science, expert witnesses, and case history to draw the link.
Negligence or Liability
I will figure out who’s responsible. It might be a landlord, a product manufacturer, or a chemical company that failed to warn or fix the danger.
Compensation
I fight for your right to recover:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care
- Future earnings if you can’t return to work
Common Toxic Tort Cases I Handle in Virginia
- Mold exposure in rental homes or condos
- Chemical spills from nearby industrial sites
- Unsafe construction materials (like asbestos insulation)
- Children exposed to lead-based paint
- Pesticide drift onto neighboring properties
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most clients come to me confused and overwhelmed. That’s normal.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to know the science or explain the details; I will do that.
Call me today if you think you have been exposed to something dangerous in your home, workplace or community. Don’t wait.
Time is of the essence in these cases.
Toxic tort cases can take months, years, sometimes even decades, before justice is obtained.
And I will be with you every step of the way.
— Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
Principal Attorney | Shin Law Office
Call 571-445-6565 or book a consultation online today.
