Rumford, Rhode Island, is a subdivision of the city of East Providence that touches Naragansett Bay. Roger Williams originally settled at (what is now) the intersection of Roger Williams and Wilson Avenues. The settlement was told by the governor of Plymouth that the area was still under the authority of Plymouth Colony. Thus, Roger Williams crossed the Providence River and settled what is now Providence. Rumford has previously been part of three towns and two states; Rehoboth, Massachusetts, Seekonk, Massachusetts, and East Providence, Rhode Island. Rumford Baking powder was made in the town, but is actually named after Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford. Wannamoisett Country Club is also located in Rumford. This country club and golf course, designed by Donald Ross, is spread out over 100 acres (0.4 km) on Hoyt Road, and hosts the Northeast Amateur Invitational Golf Tournament each year. Agawam Hunt Country Club is also located in Rumford, and it is much older. Rumford's zip code is 02916, and the area code is 401. Several Native American tribes originally settled in the area including the Algonquin, Agawam, and Massasoit.

What is toxic tort law?

Toxic Tort cases involve people who have been injured through exposure to dangerous pharmaceuticals or chemical substances in the environment, on the job, or in consumer products -- including carcinogenic agents, lead, benzene, silica, harmful solvents, hazardous waste, and pesticides to name a few.

Most toxic tort cases have arisen either from exposure to pharmaceutical drugs or occupational exposures. Most pharmaceutical toxic injury cases are mass tort cases, because drugs are consumed by thousands of people, many of whom become ill from a toxic drug. There have also been many occupational toxic tort cases, because industrial and other workers are often chronically exposed to toxic chemicals - more so than consumers and residents. Most of the law in this area arises from asbestos exposure, but thousands of toxic chemicals are used in industry and workers in these areas can experience a variety of toxic injuries. Unlike the general population, which is exposed to trace amounts of thousands of different chemicals in the environment, industrial workers are regularly exposed to much higher levels of chemicals and therefore have a greater risk of developing disease from particular chemical exposures than the general population. The home has recently become the subject of toxic tort litigation, mostly due to mold contamination, but also due to construction materials such as formaldehyde-treated wood and carpet. Toxic tort cases also arise when people are exposed to consumer products such as pesticides and suffer injury. Lastly, people can also be injured from environmental toxins in the air or in drinking water.

Answers to toxic tort law issues in Rhode Island

In certain kinds of cases, lawyers charge what is called a contingency fee. Instead of billing by the hour, the...

Because of the health problems caused by lead poisoning, the federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction...

Property owners may be liable for tenant health problems caused by exposure to environmental hazards, such as...

In general, mass tort cases involve a large number of individual claimants with claims associated with a single...