Toxic Torts Lawyers

Thanks to increased awareness of climate change, America is taking pollution more seriously than ever before. Unfortunately, this comes too late for many victims of environmental poisoning, chemical spills or other exposure to unsafe chemicals. Industrial waste and other pollution doesn't degrade quickly; some toxins linger in the environment for decades, poisoning the soil, water, air and everything that lives nearby. The results can be devastating:

"Cancer clusters," neighborhoods in which multiple families are affected with the same types of rare cancers due to contaminated groundwater, airborne pollutants or other toxins
Sterility or poisoning of farm workers and neighbors exposed to harmful pesticides
Exposure to unsafe chemicals and solvents in the workplace, including during military service
Exposure to carcinogenic inhaled particles like asbestos, silicon and coal dust
Unwitting exposure to seemingly safe consumer products that contain poisonous chemicals like lead
Poisoned land that won't produce crops or produces unsafe crops

When pollution and contamination causes death, cancer, brain damage or other extremely serious injuries, victims may file a lawsuit -- called a toxic tort -- to hold polluters responsible for their actions. Because pollution usually affects entire communities or groups, toxic torts are frequently class actions.

Panish, Shea & Boyle has substantial experience with complex and large-scale litigation presenting complex scientific, medical and legal issues. Our attorneys are recognized as leaders in consumer product defect litigation, an area where partners have won the largest jury verdict of any kind in U.S. history and the largest defective-tire verdict in U.S. history. Partners Kevin Boyle and Brian Panish have taken leadership roles in successful national plane crash and defective drug class actions, all of which settled for tens of millions or more.

The attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle are recognized as some of the top consumer and personal injury attorneys in the United States. In addition to winning several record-setting verdicts and settlements, our attorneys have won more than 150 cases worth $1 million or more. Our partners have been repeatedly recognized or nominated for honors such as Trial Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America or Top 100 Lawyers in California. All of our attorneys are active in professional life, with some in leadership roles for professional organizations. Partners frequently write and speak to other attorneys about good trial practices and procedures.

Latest Firm News

Michael Nelsen v. Hillyard, Inc., et al. - Record $21 million verdict for Iraq war veteran. 27 year-old Iraqi War veteran Michael Nelsen injured when Hillyard, Inc. truck rear-ended Mr. Nelsen's vehicle on the I-15 freeway.

Tilton v. Sempra - $15 million verdict for brain injury to minor resulting from a power company truck hitting a family vehicle.

Dominguez v. San Francisco - $21 million settlement while case was on appeal. Wrongful death of 4 year-old girl. Largest settlement ever paid by San Francisco.

Contreras v. State of California - $9 million settlement for amputation caused by a damaged freeway guardrail.

Don Gino Dominguez v. South Central Los Angeles Regional Care Center - $2 million verdict for wrongful death of a mentally and physically disabled 39 year-old man. Health care center left man unsupervised and he choked to death.

Doe v. Driver - $5.5 million settlement for death of pedestrian in an auto accident.

Doe v. Oil Refinery - $6.2 Million settlement for wrongful death and personal injury caused by the collapse of tank floating roof.

Avila v. Dresick Farms - $5.64 million dollar jury verdict for girl injured in truck v. van collision. Believed to be the largest verdict in the history of Imperial County, California.

Konrad, et al. v. Hewlett-Packard - Lawsuit filed against Hewlett-Packard for pretexting journalists and their families

Chief Warrant Officers v. Boeing, et al. - $13.55 million settlement for Army maintenance officers severely injured in the crash of Apache Longbow helicopter on a maintenance test flight during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.

Does v. Doe Auto Manufacturer: confidential multimillion dollar settlement on behalf of a family involved in on-road rollover of sport utility vehicle.

Does v. Van Manufacturer and Rental Company - Confidential multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of the survivors and family members of 14 church group members involved in a fifteen passenger van rollover.

Hill v. Titan Tire - Confidential multi-million dollar settlement for a 42 year old man who sustained brain injuries following a tire failure on his vehicle.

Dominguez v. San Francisco - $27.4 Million Verdict - Mother and 6 others witnessed a city truck driver run over her daughter on a sidewalk. City completely denied responsibility. Largest verdict ever against the City of San Francisco.

Sherman v. Courrege - $25.5 Million Verdict - Wrongful death of mother, father, and son hit by a drunk driver.

Sorenson v. Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway - $2.8 Million Verdict - Plaintiffs were parents of a 48 year-old man killed when a freight train crashed into a commuter train.

Doe v. Auto Manufacturer - Major Confidential Settlement Fuel fed fire caused by defectively designed 15 passenger van rollover. Many occupants killed or severely burned.

Flores v. Continental Tire - Major Confidential Settlement - Woman sustained paraplegia when the right rear tire on the family's Ford Windstar van experienced a tread belt separation, causing the vehicle to roll over.

Panish, Shea & Boyle on TV - The trial attorneys at Panish, Shea & Boyle have been on numerous televisions shows because of their involvement in many high profile cases.

11111 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 700 Los Angeles CA 90025 • P:310-477-1700 • F: 310-477-1699 • Toll Free: 1-877-800-1700

California Chemical Injury Lawyer Disclaimer: The toxic torts or other legal information presented at this site should not be considered formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Please note that you are not considered a client until you have signed a retainer agreement and your case has been accepted by us.

Website Design and Search Engine Optimization by SLS Consulting | Sitemap