When workers are exposed to toxic substances on the job, the consequences can be life-altering. From respiratory diseases to long-term neurological damage, toxic workplace exposure often leads to serious injuries that take time, money, and medical attention to manage.
As occupational exposure attorneys in Clayton, Missouri, our team at The Law Office of Steve Slough knows that proving toxic exposure isn’t just about showing symptoms—it’s about having the right documentation to back it up.
Medical records are often the foundation of any occupational exposure case. They tell the story of what our clients have been through, from the first signs of illness to a confirmed diagnosis.
What medical documentation to look for:
Doctor’s notes and visit summaries showing complaints of symptoms consistent with toxic exposure
Diagnostic imaging like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs that reveal damage to internal organs or tissues
Lab results confirming presence of toxins or abnormal levels of certain substances in the body
Specialist reports from pulmonologists, neurologists, or oncologists detailing long-term impact
Medical records help link exposure at work to specific health conditions. Your lawyer may also work with medical professionals to provide expert opinions, especially when the exposure involved chemicals like benzene, asbestos, or lead.
To prove toxic exposure happened on the job, occupational exposure attorneys need to show where and when our clients worked, and what roles they held.
Key employment documents include:
Pay stubs or W-2 forms that confirm the dates of employment
Job descriptions showing duties that may involve handling or being near hazardous materials
Timecards or clock-in data that support daily presence at specific worksites
Correspondence from the employer confirming a worker’s position or job site
We’ve worked with many clients who were exposed over years, even decades. A long employment history in a high-risk setting—like manufacturing, construction, or mining—helps us show repeated exposure over time.
Many employers are required to follow strict safety regulations. When they don’t, and a worker becomes ill, those failures matter in a legal claim.
What documentation to gather:
OSHA reports or citations showing violations at the worksite
Incident reports filed at the company level, especially if others were exposed too
Emails or memos warning about chemical spills or unsafe work conditions
Safety audits or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) from the employer
When these documents show a pattern of negligence or failure to provide protective equipment, it strengthens our argument that the company put workers in harm’s way.
While records are important, expert interpretation of those records can help drive the case home. Your occupational exposure attorneys work with experts in multiple disciplines to connect the dots between exposure and illness.
Expert documentation might include:
Occupational medicine reports linking a specific toxin to our client’s symptoms
Industrial hygienist evaluations describing the presence and concentration of toxins
Toxicology reports explaining how certain chemicals behave once inhaled or absorbed
Vocational assessments that measure the impact of the illness on a client’s ability to work
We rely on these professionals to give us written reports and testimony that withstand scrutiny in court or during settlement negotiations.
First-hand accounts can provide missing context. Co-workers often notice patterns that support a claim, such as faulty ventilation systems or lack of safety training.
Lawyer often use:
Written affidavits from those who worked alongside our client
Witness interviews that reveal how widespread the exposure was
Statements from supervisors acknowledging knowledge of the hazard
We’ve seen powerful cases built with the help of co-workers who were also affected—or who saw what was happening but felt they couldn’t speak up at the time.
Employers are supposed to provide gear like masks, gloves, and protective clothing. When they don’t, or if the gear was ineffective, that can be a key part of the case.
Useful documents in this category include:
Inventory records showing what safety equipment was provided (or not provided)
Training logs indicating whether workers were educated on how to handle chemicals
Emails from workers requesting better gear or improved ventilation
Maintenance records on equipment like air scrubbers or respirators
If there’s a history of cost-cutting or ignoring worker complaints, occupational exposure attorneys highlight that. It often reflects a larger disregard for safety.
Sometimes, employers or third-party inspectors perform environmental testing to assess the presence of dangerous substances at a worksite.
Your lawyer will try to gather:
Air quality tests
Soil or water contamination reports
Asbestos abatement reports
Radiation exposure logs, especially in hospital or lab settings
These reports can directly connect the physical work environment to the illnesses our clients experience. If testing hasn’t been done, occupational exposure attorneys may request it as part of our investigation.
Occupational exposure attorneys often encourage our clients to keep personal records. While these aren't official documents, they paint a detailed picture of what it’s like to live with exposure-related illness.
These might include:
Daily health journals
Pain logs showing symptom progression
Photos of rashes or visible health effects
Medication lists and changes over time
These types of records help us humanize the case. It’s not just about lab results—it’s about showing the real toll of a toxic workplace.
Claims made through health insurance or workers’ compensation often produce valuable paperwork that can back up a toxic exposure case.
Helpful documents:
Claim filings listing exposure or injury
Denials and appeal paperwork
Statements of benefits paid
Correspondence with insurers or adjusters
Even if a claim was denied, it often includes details that can be build on. Lawyers regularly help clients who were initially told they didn’t have a case.
Missouri law doesn’t always make it easy for workers to prove toxic exposure. Unlike sudden accidents, the effects of exposure often appear over time, which can make it harder to show a direct connection. That’s why lawyers emphasize building a paper trail that’s as strong as possible.
By combining medical proof, employment records, safety reports, expert opinions, and first-hand accounts, occupational exposure attorneys create a story that’s difficult to dispute. Each piece of documentation supports a part of the claim—how the exposure happened, what the harm was, and how it’s affecting our client’s life today.
If you’re experiencing symptoms and suspect a workplace connection, don’t wait. Start gathering your own records now:
Save medical visit summaries
Write down details about your job duties and environment
Keep a journal of your symptoms
Talk to co-workers who may have similar concerns
The sooner your lawyer starts collecting documentation, the better our chances of holding your employer accountable.
Toxic exposure in the workplace is more common than most people realize. Whether the exposure came from asbestos or other hazardous substances, we’re here to stand up for you. We serve clients in St. Louis, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, Missouri, as well as those located in St. Clair County and Madison County, Illinois. If you believe you’ve suffered toxic exposure on the job, call The Law Office of Steve Slough.
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