Environmental & Toxic Torts

Swartz Campbell has been in the forefront of preparing and trying cases resulting from the explosion in toxic substance litigation. Since its inception in 1978, our Toxic Tort Group has handled a wide range of product liability and property actions arising out of exposures to chemical and toxic substances.

Among the claims in which the Toxic Tort Group has assumed a leading defense role are exposure to asbestos, silica and other mineral dusts, latex, solvents, petroleum based specialty products, benzene, PCBs, lead, and numerous other toxins. These claims involve property damage due to the presence or release of a substance, and personal injury and death claims which result from various cancers, respiratory disorders, immune system deficiencies, neurological dysfunction, skin diseases and multiple chemical sensitivities.

Members of the Toxic Tort Group have represented clients in national and state-wide class actions such as the National School Asbestos class action; a class of building owners required to remove asbestos because they leased to federal agencies; and a class of all municipalities in Pennsylvania seeking costs for asbestos removal. Additionally, the group is defending clients in a medical monitoring class suit and has been involved in Superfund litigation.

In the asbestos personal injury area, the Toxic Tort Group, through its knowledgeable attorneys and paralegals, has coordinated and prepared thousands of cases for trial, representing a variety of clients involved in the manufacture and distribution process. Attorneys in the group regularly act as lead trial counsel as part of the Joint Medical Defense Committee. The Toxic Tort Group has taken the experience and successes gained in Southeastern Pennsylvania litigation and have expanded our representation to Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware and other jurisdictions.