Toxic Torts Attorney

Red Dust
Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, acting as co-counsel with the Law Offices of Lee J. Rohn and Baron and Budd, is currently prosecuting a class action in the U.S. Virgin Islands arising out of the contamination of hundreds of homes and thousands of residents on St. Croix by bauxite residue (the "Red Dust") from a bauxite refinery. The Red Dust was stored in huge mounds on the south shore of St. Croix near a large population of St. Croix residents. In 1998, Hurricane Georges blew large quantities of the toxic substance into the nearby community. The class action has been certified by the Federal District Court and includes classes for property damage, medical monitoring, personal injury, and punitive damages.

Catalyst
Catalyst made from materials such as cobalt and nickel is used in the process of refining oil. Some of the catalyst ordinarily used in the refining process is toxic and can damage the lungs and central nervous system. Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman is currently representing hundreds of workers from the HOVIC refinery in the U.S. Virgin Islands who have suffered injury from exposure to catalyst. RPWB is preparing to bring suits against the refinery and suppliers of catalyst for failure to adequately protect the injured workers from the known hazards of catalyst exposure.

Creosote
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have both determined that coal tar creosote is probably carcinogenic to humans.

Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman represented approximately 120 former workers, family members and other community members in Green Spring, West Virginia, who were exposed to coal tar and creosote as a result of a nearby wood treating plant.

RPWB filed suit to not only redress the health damage suffered by several of the plaintiffs, but also to seek medical monitoring on behalf of the individuals who may develop health problems in the future as a result of being exposed to these toxic chemicals. Following a seven-week jury trial, which resulted in a favorable verdict for the plaintiffs, RPWB was able to settle all of the cases against the wood treating plant and other defendants.

Please contact us with any questions or if you'd like to explore your legal rights.