Case Studies in Toxicology
TCAS case studies are impartial and objective summaries of toxicological investigations
Case studies are impartial and objective summaries of toxicological matters wherein
TCAS was retained for the purpose of assessing toxicological factors. In
many cases the assessment led to a determination of impairment, disease, death causation
or no causation. It is our hope that these case studies will familiarize and educate
readers with basic concepts in forensic toxicology.
Each case is unique and the toxicologist must always consider the context and
circumstances in a toxicological assessment or forensic investigation. What
may hold true for one case may be completely different for another, even if the
same substances or circumstances are present. For example, dosage, exposure
characteristics, duration and additive effects of a particular substance are likely
to be different in every case. Additionally, federal and state regulatory guidance
varies widely by region, by substance and with respect to toxicity standards. Thus,
the outcome of one case history in no way implies a similar outcome in other cases.
Indeed, in some cases the claims were shown to be scientifically invalid with successful
defense verdicts resulting from TCAS assessments.
This page presents a series of
toxic exposure studies for selected substances. Toxic exposure studies provide
descriptive and instructional information pertaining to some of the toxic
agents for which TCAS has been retained on numerous occasions.
Toxic Exposure Case Study Archives
Toxicology case studies provide historical overviews of past cases,
typically involving application of multiple disciplines. Each study outlines
facts, events and circumstances surrounding the case, a description
of some of the health and legal aspects, an overview of the steps taken by TCAS
to address the case requirements and a brief summary of the outcome. Names and critical
identifying data have been redacted to comply with privacy and legal guidelines.
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This case study illustrates how circumstantial evidence can be misinterpreted and how drug-impaired judgment and behavior can be regarded as evidential in a toxicological causation assessment. A motorcyclist was fatally injured when he collided with a city bus in a business district... (more)
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| This case study summarizes the events leading up to and following a fatal boating accident on Florida's intracoastal waterway. It illustrates the role of back-extrapolation and weight-of-evidence (WOE) in an alcoholic impairment assessment and demonstrates how behavior and judgment on the part of the defendant can be considered as evidential in a toxicological analysis... (more) |
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This case study summarizes a matter in which a group of campers were overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning. It illustrates the importance of taking the initiative to acquire necessary objective evidence to refute presumptions through a scientifically credible toxicological assessment.... (more)
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| This case study summarizes the events leading up to and following a widespread contamination case involving local residents and a company disclaiming responsibility for damages. It illustrates the role of weight-of-evidence (WOE) in a toxicological analysis and demonstrates how meticulous attention to detail can be a deciding factor in a complex assessment... (more) |
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| This case study recounts the circumstances surrounding a woman's claims that exposure to a chemical stripping agent caused burns, infection and damage to her immune system. The outcome illustrates the importance of validating claims against medical history and assessing toxicological factors according to peer-reviewed literature in order to establish reasonable... (more) |
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| This case study summarizes the events following the death of an elderly man involved in a motor vehicle accident and demonstrates how pharmacological factors and behavior on the part of the defendant can be considered as evidential in a toxicological analysis... (more) |
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| This case study recounts the circumstances relating to a teacher faced with pending dismissal for alleged drug use based on erroneous interpretation of cocaine in hair test samples. This case illustrates the importance of applying a correct, peer-reviewed scientific methodology to laboratory analyses and interpreting the results in line with established... (more) |
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| This case study demonstrates how causation can be demonstrated by weight-of-evidence (WOE) and how objective investigation of contributing factors can play a pivitol role in formulating an expert opinion to reasonable toxicological certainty. Toxic encephalopathy can be caused by repeated exposure to high-level refinery hydrocarbon vapors. A process engineer worked for seven... (more) |
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| This case study illustrates the role of toxicological weight-of-evidence (WOE) in a case involving exposure to mold inside a motor home. It also illustrates how analytical measurements and medical history can be considered as evidential in a toxicological analysis. Shortly after purchasing a new motor home, the owner noticed... (more) |
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| This case study summarizes events relating to the death of a man with a history of seizure disorder who was fatally exposed to pesticides in his unventilated basement apartment. It illustrates the role of an impartial toxicological assessment in litigation involving pesticides... (more) |
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| This case study reviews a residential contamination case involving local residents exposed to water contaminated with PAHs and PCBs flooding their properties. It illustrates the importance of applying generally-accepted, peer-reviewed toxicological assessment methods and the steps necessary to present scientifically credible findings in litigation.... (more) |
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| This case study illustrates the role of toxicological weight-of-evidence (WOE) in a motor vehicle accident case involving polypharmacology and antidepressants. It also illustrates how drug interactions can be considered evidential in a toxicological causation assessment. On the evening prior to a serious motor... (more) |
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| In this case study, a passenger severely injured in a motor vehicle fire filed a lawsuit against the vehicle manufacturer. The case partially rested on whether or not the driver could be shown to have been intoxicated. The surprising outcome was based on a little known but well-documented fact concerning endogenous alcohol which can be created following... (more) |
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| This case study summarizes the events surrounding the filing of a lawsuit by residents against a company for allegedly contaminating the local water supply with trichloroethylene, a chemical used in industrial cleaning and degreasing. It further illustrates how exposure evidence, historical factors, a residential questionnaire and a toxicological risk... (more) |
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| This case study summarizes the events leading up to and following the filing of a lawsuit by a woman against her employer for an injury allegedly suffered as a consequence of a toxic exposure to a cleaning chemical. It illustrates the important role a toxicological assessment can play in litigation and demonstrates how inference and assumption can... (more) |
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| This case study summarizes a matter in which a window worker was killed while on the job, resulting in the filing of a lawsuit for negligence. It illustrates how toxicological interpretation of historical factors and application of... (more) |
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| This case study summarizes a recent matter in which a worker was injured while on the job, then later denied Workmen's Compensation benefits when drug use was alleged. It illustrates the key importance of rebutting presumptions... (more) |
Toxic Exposure Studies
Toxic exposure studies provide descriptive and instructional information pertaining
to some of the various toxic agents with which TCAS has been involved on
numerous occasions. Studies outline the steps typically required to assemble relevant
site data and assess exposure, toxicity and risk. In some instances we have included
demonstratives TCAS has used in past hearings and trials for educational
and instructional purposes. No names or identifying information have been included
due to privacy and legal considerations.
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| TCAS has been involved in numerous cases involving TCDD exposures. We have had considerable experience in conducting toxicological risk assessments for TCDD, PCBs and other dioxin congeners. As part of our approach to presenting toxicological information in a manner that can be easily understood by a judge and jury, we have produced many demonstratives... (more) |
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| For more than two decades, TCAS has been retained in cases involving LNAPLs. We have significant experience in establishing the source(s), age and characteristics of LNAPL. We have performed LNAPL risk assessments on behalf of individuals, private industry and government agencies such as the New York State DEC, New Jersey DEC and others . We have offered unbiased... (more) |