AIRPLANE FUME EVENTS – TOXIC EXPOSURE LAWSUITS

What is the problem?

All commercial airplanes, except Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, are intentionally designed to make pressurized cabin air by drawing in a compressed supply of “bleed air” directly from the plane’s jet engines. This bleed air is then mixed with the existing cabin air and recirculated throughout the flight.

Jet engines get extremely hot, so they must use synthetic chemical oils that release toxic fumes at high temperatures. Metal expands when it is hot, so jet engines use wet seals which are designed to be somewhat leaky when the engine is cold and then tighten up when the engine gets hot.

“Fume Events” occur when the wet seals get worn-out and toxic oil fumes mix with the bleed air supply for the cockpit and cabin, causing dangerous neurotoxic gases to circulate inside the plane. The leaking synthetic oils that produce a Fume Event are made with many toxic chemicals, including TriCresylPhosphate (oil) or TriButyl Phosphates (hydraulic fluid). These dangerous neurotoxins can cause serious damage to the central nervous system of exposed flight attendants, pilots and passengers.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A TOXIC FUME EVENT

When toxic fumes from jet engine oil and hydraulic fluid contaminate the cabin air supply, you may notice an unusual smell or see smoke or a haze in the air. Jet engine oil fumes smell musty or moldy like a pair of dirty socks or bad cheese. Hydraulic fluid fumes tend to have a strong chemical odor and may have a metallic aftertaste. Both types of toxic fumes typically contain odorless carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide id especially dangerous on a plane because the air contains less oxygen at altitude.

EARLY AEROTOXIC SYNDROME SYMPTOMS

Short-term effects of Fume Events:

Blurred vision
Loss of balance, vertigo
Tunnel vision
Tremors
Loss of consciousness
Seizures
Headache
Feeling intoxicated
Confusion
Dizziness
Memory impairment
Nausea, vomiting
Irritation – nose, eyes, throat
Increased heart rate
Breathing difficulties
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath

SEVERE AEROTOXIC SYNDROME SYMPTOMS MAY TAKE WEEKS TO DEVELOP

Long-term neurological side effects of Fume Events:

Toxic Encephalopathy
Brain damage
Chronic fatigue
Numbness- limbs, fingers, lips
Memory loss
Hand tremors
Severe migraine headaches
Sleep disorders
Depression, anxiety, irritability
Muscle pain and weakness
Lack of coordination
Skin rashes, blisters
Vision problems
Other systemic health problems

WHY CHOOSE US TO REPRESENT YOUR FAMILY?

Our law firm is filing individual law suits, not class action lawsuits, on behalf of people who are suffering from Aerotoxic Syndrome after breathing toxic air during a Fume Event.

These cases require a very specialized knowledge and experience to litigate effectively. They require an intimate knowledge of the victim’s medical history and baseline cognitive functioning, organic chemistry, the design and engineering of the jet’s air bleed system and the evidence linking a Fume Event to a person’s long-term neurological problems. It’s not something that a typical lawyer, or even a typical personal injury lawyer is able to handle.

Our law firm focuses in these kinds of cases and has earned such a strong reputation in this niche area of the law that other law firms refer us their clients due to our integrity, responsiveness and our proven track record of success in these types of cases.

Are you ready to work with an attorney who genuinely cares about your case – a law firm who really knows how to prosecute these complex cases inside and out?

If you or a loved one was exposed to toxic chemical fumes while working as a pilot or flight attendant, or you flew as a passenger on a flight in which a Fume Event occurred, contact our law firm today to speak with an experienced lawyer who can answer your questions, explain your legal rights and evaluate your claim.

We offer free, no-obligation consultations and represent all clients on a contingent fee basis, meaning you pay no out of pocket fees or costs unless we successfully resolve your claim.