You trusted your environment—your workplace, your neighborhood, your tap water. You breathed the air, drank the water, touched the walls. And now your body is paying the price.
In Michigan, toxic exposure isn’t some distant possibility—it’s a disturbing reality. From the PFAS contamination that tainted drinking water across the state, to asbestos still hiding in older Detroit housing, to dangerous pesticides used in agricultural communities—chemicals are silently harming people who did nothing wrong.
These aren’t accidents. They’re avoidable failures. And they’re often the result of negligence, cost-cutting, or outright disregard for human life.
At Marko Law, we’ve seen what toxic exposure does to families. Respiratory problems. Chronic fatigue. Cancer diagnoses. Birth complications. Unexplained illnesses that keep getting worse. It’s not just physical—it’s emotional. Financial. Personal.
Chemical exposure is not just a health crisis—it can be a legal one. And under Michigan and federal law, if someone failed to protect you, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve endured.
Michigan Laws and Regulations That Protect You
MEPA gives every Michigan resident the right to seek legal action when the environment—and human health—is harmed by pollution or hazardous waste. It allows you to challenge:
- Industrial dumping
- Water contamination
- Airborne toxins near your home or school
This law has been used in major cases, including PFAS contamination in Michigan groundwater.
Workers’ Disability Compensation Act
If you were exposed to chemicals on the job, you may be entitled to workers' compensation under this Michigan statute. That means:
- Medical expenses covered
- Wage loss benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation if you can't return to your old job
Employers are strictly liable, which means you don’t have to prove fault—just that the exposure happened while you were working.
CERCLA / Superfund (Federal Law)
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)—better known as Superfund—holds polluters financially responsible for environmental cleanup and personal harm caused by hazardous waste.
If you live near an old dump site, factory, or water source that was contaminated decades ago, you may still have a claim.
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) & OSHA Standards
TSCA gives the federal government power to ban or regulate dangerous chemicals before they hit the market.
Meanwhile, OSHA enforces workplace safety rules. Employers must:
- Warn workers of chemical dangers
- Train them properly
- Provide protective equipment
Violations of TSCA or OSHA standards can help prove negligence or gross misconduct in your case.
Premises Liability Laws in Michigan
If your exposure happened in a rental property, public housing, or commercial facility, the Michigan premises liability law applies.
Property owners have a duty to:
- Maintain safe living and working environments
- Fix hazards like mold, lead, or asbestos
- Warn about known dangers
MCL 554.139 specifically holds landlords accountable for failing to maintain a safe rental space.
Who Can Be Held Legally Responsible?
Employers
If your chemical exposure happened at work, your employer may be on the hook—especially if they:
- Failed to provide proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Ignored OSHA safety regulations
- Didn’t provide proper training or containment protocols
Many Michigan workers are exposed to harmful substances like benzene, lead, pesticides, or asbestos on job sites. When employers cut corners on safety, they endanger lives—and violate federal and state laws.
Landlords and Property Owners
Under Michigan law, specifically MCL 554.139, landlords and property managers have a legal duty to maintain safe rental properties. That includes:
- Preventing mold outbreaks
- Remediating lead paint and asbestos
- Ensuring proper ventilation and water quality
If you were exposed to toxins in your apartment, condo, or rental home—you may have a premises liability claim.
Manufacturers or Distributors
If you were harmed by a chemical product—whether through skin exposure, inhalation, or ingestion—you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor. This applies to:
- Pesticides
- Industrial cleaners
- Defective materials (like lead pipes or asbestos insulation)
These companies can be held accountable for failing to warn, designing unsafe products, or releasing hazardous materials into the public.
Government Agencies or Contractors
When toxic exposure is linked to public water supplies, industrial waste, or environmental negligence, public entities and their contractors may be liable.
For example:
These cases often involve complex litigation and shorter deadlines—but Marko Law has the experience and tenacity to take them on.
Legal Claims You May Pursue
Personal Injury Due to Negligence
If a company, landlord, or agency exposed you to a harmful chemical through carelessness or neglect, you may have a strong negligence claim. This includes:
- Failure to warn about known risks
- Failure to fix a hazardous condition
- Exposure caused by routine maintenance or operations
We work with medical experts, environmental engineers, and toxicologists to prove the exposure—and the damage it caused.
If you were exposed to a dangerous chemical through a consumer product, pesticide, building material, or industrial agent, you may be able to sue the manufacturer or distributor.
Product liability claims cover:
- Design defects (inherently dangerous chemical makeup)
- Manufacturing defects (contaminated or improperly mixed chemicals)
- Failure to warn (no label, insufficient safety instructions, or misleading advertising)
These cases often involve multiple victims—and the potential for punitive damages if the manufacturer acted recklessly.
If a loved one died due to long-term or acute toxic exposure, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim under MCL 600.2922. This may cover:
- Medical costs
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship and financial support
- Emotional grief
Workers’ Compensation (Job-Related Exposure)
If you were exposed to a hazardous substance while working, you may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits—regardless of who was at fault. This includes:
- Immediate medical treatment
- Ongoing care and rehab
- Lost wage replacement
- Disability benefits
Class Action or Mass Tort Participation
Some toxic exposure cases—like PFAS water contamination, lead poisoning, or asbestos exposure—affect hundreds or even thousands of people. In those cases, you may be eligible to join:
- A mass tort lawsuit (individual claims grouped for efficiency)
- A class action (one suit filed on behalf of all victims)
Compensation Available to Victims
Medical Expenses and Long-Term Care
Toxic exposure often leads to serious and chronic illnesses—cancers, neurological damage, respiratory failure, reproductive harm. These conditions demand:
- Emergency care
- Ongoing treatment
- Prescription medications
- Specialist visits and surgeries
- Rehabilitation and in-home assistance
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
If your exposure forced you to miss work—or prevents you from returning to your job—you may be entitled to:
- Back pay for missed work
- Lost future income (if you can’t return to the same line of work)
- Loss of benefits or retirement contributions
Pain and Suffering
Michigan law recognizes the emotional and physical toll of toxic exposure. You may be compensated for:
- Chronic pain
- Psychological trauma (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD)
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Disability and Disfigurement Damages
Permanent harm like organ damage, amputation, nerve damage, or visible disfigurement can entitle you to additional damages. These affect not only your health—but your dignity, independence, and identity.
Wrongful Death Compensation for Surviving Family
If a loved one died due to chemical exposure, Michigan’s Wrongful Death Act allows you to recover for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional grief
Punitive Damages in Gross Negligence Cases
When a company, landlord, or employer knew of the danger and did nothing, the court may award punitive damages—not just to compensate you, but to punish them.
We pursue these aggressively in cases where:
- Warnings were ignored
- Coverups were attempted
- Long-term exposure was allowed to continue unchecked
Toxic Exposure Isn’t Your Fault—But Fighting Back Is Your Right
Toxic exposure cases are more than legal battles—they’re deeply personal. Your health has been compromised. Your peace of mind shattered. You’re left picking up the pieces while the people who caused the harm walk away clean.
At Marko Law, we’ve stood beside Michigan families devastated by chemical exposure. We’ve taken on big corporations, negligent landlords, and even public agencies—and we’ve fought for the truth to come out. Our team knows how to build complex toxic tort cases, gather expert medical evidence, and demand accountability for the pain you’ve suffered.
The emotional toll of exposure is real—but so is your legal power. Whether it’s cancer caused by PFAS-contaminated water, mold in a Detroit apartment, or workplace exposure to carcinogens, you may have a strong legal claim.
Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation
📞 Phone: 1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com
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