Access to clean water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene is a basic human necessity. Yet, numerous communities across the United States lack this essential resource. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 145 million Americans rely on groundwater sources for their tap water, which is often tainted with various toxic substances.
At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys in Chicago, IL, we are committed to advocating for those affected by such negligence.
If your community has suffered due to corporations discharging harmful chemicals into the water supply, you might have been unknowingly exposed to perilous pollutants for an extended period. Discovering that your family’s health has been compromised by groundwater contamination is distressing. You need legal representatives skilled in handling cases of groundwater contamination.
Contact our Chicago personal injury attorneys at (312) 726-1616 for a complimentary consultation. Our policy is straightforward: if we do not win a financial settlement for you, there are no attorney’s fees involved.
How Can Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Help if You’ve Been Exposed to Contaminated Water in Chicago?
Securing competent legal assistance is crucial if you or your community is grappling with illnesses such as cancer that could stem from exposure to toxins. The same is true if your property’s value has plummeted due to environmental contamination.
Our Chicago environmental lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys stand ready to champion the cause of those affected by groundwater pollution.
When you choose us, you get:
- A thorough investigation into the contamination and who may be responsible
- Examination of critical evidence
- Consultation with experts to pinpoint the pollution’s origins and scope
- Assessment of health impacts the contamination might have caused
- Settlement negotiations with relevant parties
- Representation in court if necessary
With a profound grasp of environmental law and a clear understanding of the implications for affected families, our Chicago personal injury lawyers are committed to supporting victims of negligent environmental practices.
If your family has suffered because of groundwater contamination, reach out to us in Chicago, Illinois, for a free consultation. Let us assist in uncovering the truth and seeking justice for you.
What Sources of Groundwater Contamination Are There?
Groundwater contamination can originate from numerous sources, including:
- Industrial Plants: Both accidental leaks and deliberate disposal of toxic substances can infiltrate the soil and migrate through groundwater far from the initial spill site.
- Storage Tanks: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies around 542,000 underground tanks nationwide storing petroleum or hazardous substances—leaks from these tanks are a direct threat to groundwater.
- Landfills: Though landfills should have protective liners to prevent leaks, not all do, and even those with liners can fail, allowing toxins to contaminate groundwater.
- Abandoned Waste Sites: One in six Americans lives close to a hazardous waste site—such locations can become focal points for contamination.
- Road Salts: The use of road salt and similar chemicals for road maintenance can seep into the earth beside roads, potentially contaminating nearby groundwater sources.
- Agricultural Chemicals: Herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers can also affect soil and groundwater.
- Atmospheric Pollutants: Pollutants in evaporated water, clouds, or rain can be captured in groundwater.
These contamination sources present both immediate and ongoing risks to communities that depend on groundwater, which often faces less regulation than other tap water sources. In Illinois, for example, groundwater is not subject to the same use or food and water supply standards that apply to other water sources.
As groundwater can carry contaminants from any point along its flow, the absence of a recent chemical spill in your area doesn’t guarantee the safety of your tap water.
How Can Chicago Groundwater Contaminants Affect My Health?
Groundwater may become contaminated with various harmful substances, including heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and pathogens. These pollutants can pose serious health risks. Among the most harmful contaminants found in groundwater are:
- Lead
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
- Mercury
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Copper
- Nitrates/Nitrites
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Herbicides
- Arsenic
- Chlorine
- Pesticides
- Vinyl Chloride
- Benzene
- Fluoride
PFAS, in particular, are a significant concern. These substances, which don’t occur naturally, are persistent and take nearly a millennium to break down in the environment and the human body.
The health implications of PFAS exposure are profound and include injuries ranging from mild to catastrophic:
- Effects on reproduction and development
- Elevated risk of cancer
- Weakened immune system
- Hormonal imbalance
- Increased cholesterol levels
Given the largely unregulated nature of PFAS, you need a committed environmental lawyer to help you navigate the scientific and legal issues.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Lawsuit in Illinois?
Illinois state law sets a firm two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident for filing a lawsuit. This deadline offers little flexibility (though there are some exceptions), so it’s important you don’t miss it.
Failure to file within this period typically results in the loss of your right to seek legal redress for any injuries or damages sustained. It can take time to build a strong case, so it’s crucial to act promptly and consult with our personal injury lawyers in Chicago to ensure all necessary documentation and evidence are prepared and filed correctly.
Contact Our Chicago Groundwater Contamination Lawyers for Help
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, located in Chicago, Illinois, provides representation for victims of groundwater contamination and other forms of industrial pollution.
Our assertive team of Chicago water contamination attorneys is equipped with the experience and resources necessary to confront and challenge the corporations responsible for environmental pollution head-on.
Contact us today at (312) 726-1616 for assistance. You deserve compensation and justice from the parties responsible for contaminating your water.
