Austin, TX personal injury attorney Scott Hendler shares his advice for people who suspect they have been exposed to toxic chemicals. He notes that the first thing a prospective client needs to establish is whether they have an adverse reaction, illness, or condition that can be directly attributed to a chemical exposure. Simply being exposed to a toxic chemical does not automatically mean harm will occur, but if it does, it is critical to consult a lawyer as soon as possible. The reason is that once an illness or condition linked to the chemical manifests or is diagnosed, the statute of limitations begins to run. In most states, this period is two years from the date of diagnosis, and in some cases, it can be as short as one year.

It’s not enough to speak with just any lawyer—these cases are complex, high-value, and require specialized experience. Without the right legal guidance, serious mistakes can occur. For instance, a growing number of cases involve exposure to the herbicide paraquat, which has been scientifically linked to Parkinson’s disease, particularly among those who applied it professionally. Paraquat is a tightly controlled chemical, but manufacturers knew of the risk and failed to disclose it, leaving users unaware of the danger.

Once a person develops Parkinson’s and learns of the connection to paraquat, it is imperative they contact an experienced attorney immediately. If the one- or two-year statute of limitations expires, the right to bring a claim is permanently lost. Timing is critical in these toxic exposure cases.