Toxic Tort
The large verdicts seen in recent toxic tort cases are the result of a powerful, creative and well-organized plaintiffs’ bar that has become increasingly aggressive in targeting big companies – often for events or operations that took place decades ago. The continuing evolution of scientific techniques for chemical exposure detection, combined with the uncertainty and unreliability of our domestic and global regulatory environment, are intersecting with plaintiffs’ lawyers’ aggressive use of our civil justice system to greatly increase liability exposure. Sophisticated plaintiffs’ lawyers have effectively put major well-known corporations into bankruptcy and are armed with experts and significant war chests to aid them in identifying their next targets.
EXPERIENCE
Our toxic tort lawyers include trial lawyers with national reputations for success in some of the most contentious toxic tort cases in the nation, premier class action specialists who understand the particular challenges posed by major environmental toxic tort cases, nationally respected environmental regulatory and litigation lawyers who know how to deal with plaintiffs’ lawyers’ misuse of regulatory investigation and cleanup activities as leverage in toxic tort cases, and science-oriented lawyers with an unparalleled track record in effectively bringing scientific principles to the courtroom and a proven history of success with Daubert challenges to plaintiffs’ experts.
SUBSTANCES AND DEFENSES
The work we have done on behalf of clients has involved agricultural chemicals, airborne toxins, arsenic, asbestos, benzene, creosote, diesel fumes, dioxins, hydraulic fluid, isocyanates, lead, manganese, mercury, mold, MTBE, PCBs, petroleum products, polyurethanes, PERC, silica and uranium. We have served as trial counsel, national and regional coordinating counsel and appellate counsel for Fortune 500 clients throughout the United States. We handle defense of air, ground and drinking water contamination litigation, citizen suits, class actions, government enforcement matters, Daubert/Frye motions and other complex environmental, toxic exposure and products liability litigation in state and federal courts.
RECOGNITION
In-house counsel for a Fortune 100 company recently told us we are unique among law firms because we effectively and efficiently integrated this expertise to produce a superior result for the company. Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business notes that according to clients, Alston & Bird is “virtually unbeatable in terms of the depth, range and scope of the skills it offers.”
WHY ALSTON & BIRD?
We understand the impact that litigation, or the threat of litigation, will have on your business, from public relations priorities to shareholder concerns. We also help companies prepare for toxic tort litigation before the complaint is even filed by staying one step ahead of the plaintiffs’ bar and being proactive not reactive.