Toxic tort lawyers represent people who have been exposed to dangerous substances or toxic chemicals. These lawsuits can be filed on behalf of individuals who have been exposed to toxic substances or as a class-action injury claim. A law degree, passing a professional exam, and obtaining a license to practice law are all required to become a toxic tort lawyer. To litigate toxic tort claims, no specific post-graduate training is required, but having a background in toxicity and a thorough understanding of the laws governing toxic exposure in the environment and workplace is advantageous.
Toxic tort law education requirements are similar to those for any other type of personal injury law. A person must obtain a college degree from an accredited university after completing high school or its equivalent. Although no specific undergraduate course of study is required for admission to law school, a toxic tort lawyer can benefit from a curriculum that includes liberal arts and science courses.
The next step in becoming a toxic tort lawyer is to enroll in law school. Students take general education courses to gain a basic understanding of the law during their first few years of law school. Some law schools allow students to concentrate their education in the area of law in which they wish to practice, but it is not necessary to study toxic tort litigation exclusively in order to become a toxic tort lawyer. Toxic tort lawyers typically learn a lot of their skills on the job rather than in law school.
To become a toxic tort lawyer, a person must pass a professional exam and obtain a license to practice law after completing law school. Finding a job or an internship with an established law firm that handles toxic tort claims is the best way to gain experience with toxic tort litigation. For any attorney who wants to focus on toxic tort claims, working with experienced toxic tort attorneys and scientific experts can be beneficial.
Toxic tort law is unique in that it encompasses aspects of product liability, medical malpractice, environmental law, and workplace injury law. Though toxic tort lawyers are not required to have a technical background in all of these areas of law, familiarity with a wide range of legal theories relating to toxic exposure can be advantageous. For anyone handling toxic tort claims, building relationships with medical experts and scientists is also a good idea.