AT&T, Verizon, Pacific Bell Telephone, and other telecommunications companies could face lead cable exposure lawsuits after utility workers may have been exposed to lead from deteriorating cables in communities across the United States. In addition, lead cables in networks previously maintained by these telecom companies may have contaminated soil and water sources across the United States, potentially impacting members of the public who didn’t work on telecommunications lines, too.
Lead Cable Exposure Concerns
Lead poisoning is linked to a range of health problems, including developmental delays, neurological damage, and cognitive impairments.
Unfortunately, many people may have been exposed to lead via old telecommunications lines and have no idea of this risk. In July 2023, The Wall Street Journal found that there are more than 2,000 lead-sheathed cables across the United States that may have corroded and spread toxic lead into their surrounding environments.
Meanwhile, utility workers who worked up close and personal with or near lead-covered phone cables may have been exposed to high levels of lead contamination from the cables over many years. Now, these workers and their families may be entitled to compensation if they suffered after long-term exposure to lead cables.
Lead Exposure Health Issues
According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of lead exposure that may develop in adults include:
- Headaches
- Abdominal pain
- Personality changes
- Anemia
- Numbness in feet and legs
- Loss of sex drive
- Infertility
And the effects of lead poisoning in adults may include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Kidney problems
- Reproductive issues
The effects of lead poisoning aren’t reversible. If utility workers and community members across the country may have been exposed to lead from phone lines abandoned by telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon. If telecommunications companies didn’t make appropriate efforts to dispose of cables or monitor the environment around them for lead exposure in soil, air, and water runoff, they may be able to be held accountable through lead cable exposure lawsuits.
Companies like Verizon and Pacific Bell Telephone have been accused of knowing about the risks of lead contamination in their abandoned phone lines and not acting to mitigate the risk, particularly for workers handling the cables or even just working near them. If you or a loved one has been exposed to lead from deteriorating cables, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Work With a Lead Cable Exposure Lawyer
Negligent parties should be held accountable for failing to prevent harmful lead exposure. AT&T, Pacific Bell Telephone, and Verizon may have known about the dangers but allegedly failed to warn workers, officials, or community members of the potential for lead contamination. Sadly, many workers may have been exposed over many years and now have an increased risk of serious illness.
At Phillips Law Group, we may be able to assist you in taking on the big telecommunications companies. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping victims pursue justice and obtain the compensation they deserve, with over three decades of experience to prove it.
We understand the profound impact lead poisoning can have on your life and the lives of your family members, and we want to help. Our team is committed to guiding you through every step of the personal injury legal process, from initial consultation to final settlement or trial, and we offer a free, no-obligation evaluation to discuss your situation.
If you suspect you or a loved one has been exposed to lead from deteriorating cables, contact us today for a consultation to discuss your legal rights and options. Your health and well-being are our top priority. Call now at 602-222-2222 to learn more.
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