Ohio Toxic and Environmental Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Toxic and Environmental Injury throughout the State of Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule a Free Consultation with on of our Experienced Toxic and Environmental Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Toxic & Environmental Hazard Lawyers: Premises Liability for Exposure Injuries
Property owners, landlords, and commercial operators in Ohio are legally required to maintain premises free from dangerous toxic and environmental hazards. When negligence leads to exposure to substances like lead, asbestos, mold, or hazardous chemicals, the resulting injuries—which often include lung cancer, neurological damage, and chronic respiratory issues—can be devastating and life-altering. Victims of such toxic exposure are often entitled to substantial compensation through Premises Liability and toxic tort claims.
Our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team handles the complex science and law required to prove toxic exposure cases. We work with leading environmental experts and medical specialists to trace the harm directly back to the property owner’s failure to maintain a safe environment, fighting aggressively for maximum recovery under the Ohio Revised Code.
Owner's Duty of Care & Liability Under Ohio Law
Ohio law imposes a strict duty of care on property owners to protect tenants, employees, and lawful visitors from known or foreseeable hazards. This duty is anchored in the Ohio Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (R.C. Chapter 5321) and the common law of negligence, with many hazards specifically regulated by state and federal environmental agencies (like the Ohio EPA and ODA).
Key Environmental Hazards & Statutory Breaches:
- Lead Poisoning (Peeling Paint): Landlords' failure to inspect, maintain, and safely remediate lead-based paint in older residential properties violates the duty to maintain a safe and habitable condition (R.C. § 5321.04) and federal disclosure rules.
- Asbestos Exposure (Renovation/Demolition): Owners of older commercial or residential buildings must follow strict abatement procedures before disturbing asbestos-containing materials. Failure to warn occupants or negligently allowing fibers to become airborne during renovation can create liability under R.C. § 2307.941.
- Mold & Water Leaks (Respiratory Issues): Negligently ignoring water leaks or moisture intrusion is a direct breach of the duty to make timely repairs and keep premises fit for habitation (R.C. § 5321.04), leading to toxic mold exposure.
- Chemical Spills & Hazardous Waste: The improper storage or disposal of industrial, commercial, or cleaning chemicals, or hazardous waste, violates state and federal environmental regulations, establishing clear negligence per se for resulting injuries or fumes.
- Pesticide/Herbicide Exposure: Injury caused by the improper application of toxic chemicals on grounds, including drift or overspray, breaches the standard of care regulated by the Ohio Pesticide Law (R.C. Chapter 921).
- Radon Exposure: While natural, failure to disclose known dangerous radon gas levels (R.C. § 5302.30) or mitigate them in commercial properties where testing shows high levels constitutes actionable negligence.
- Contaminated Water Supply: Negligent maintenance or failure to test private wells/plumbing that results in bacterial (e.g., E. coli) or chemical contamination of the water supply violates the duty to provide safe premises.
- Sick Building Syndrome (SBS): Chronic illness caused by defective HVAC systems, poor ventilation, and substandard air quality violates the general duty to maintain a safe living/working environment.
Proving Complex Toxic Tort Causation
Toxic exposure cases are scientifically complex, often requiring the use of expert witnesses to link the defendant's negligence directly to the victim's illness. Our firm builds causation by:
- Expert Site Investigation: Engaging industrial hygienists and environmental engineers to test air, water, paint, and soil samples to identify and quantify the specific toxic hazard.
- Documentation of Notice: Proving the owner had actual notice (e.g., failed inspection reports, tenant complaints) or constructive notice of the dangerous condition but failed to correct it.
- Medical Testimony: Collaborating with toxicologists, oncologists, and pulmonologists to establish that the victim’s illness (such as lung cancer or neurological damage) is consistent with and directly caused by the documented toxic exposure.
Damages and Ohio's Statute of Limitations (R.C. 2305.10)
Injuries from toxic and environmental hazards often result in chronic, long-term conditions and staggering medical expenses. We fight for full financial recovery, including compensation for:
- Extensive Medical Bills, Chemotherapy, Specialist Care, and Rehabilitation Costs
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity and Permanent Disability
- Pain and Suffering, Loss of Consortium, and Emotional Distress
- Wrongful Death Claims resulting from fatal exposure.
The statute of limitations for a Personal Injury lawsuit in Ohio (R.C. § 2305.10) is typically two years. However, in toxic exposure cases, this period often begins on the date the plaintiff is informed by competent medical authority that they have an injury related to the exposure (the **Discovery Rule**). Given the time-sensitive nature of evidence and complex medical records, immediate legal consultation is critical.
Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one suffered severe illness from toxic and environmental hazards on a negligent property, contact us immediately for a free, confidential case review.