Toxic/Mass Tort & Environmental

Baker Sterchi brings a streamlined litigation approach and an in-depth understanding of numerous technical, medical and regulatory issues to toxic tort, mass tort and environmental issues.  We have years of experience managing hundreds of cases on behalf of clients facing claims of alleged injury or misuse of industry substances and chemicals. We have extensive knowledge of the maze of federal and state regulations that govern the business practices of our industrial clients.  Our attorneys are active in leadership positions within defense organizations focused on toxic tort issues, mass tort and environmental issues. We are particularly sensitive and responsive to the importance our clients place on their reputations and use the utmost discretion in handling high-profile litigation.

Toxic Tort & Mass Tort

Our attorneys have extensive experience in complex toxic tort and mass tort litigation, including multiparty and consolidated proceedings and class actions.  We have handled cases on behalf of companies that manufacture a range of products, including: industrial equipment and materials; chemicals; underground storage tanks; breast implants; building products; consumer items; packaged foods; and, commercial products.  We have been retained to coordinate national and regional defense efforts on behalf of major clients, bringing uniformity, consistency and efficiency to the defense and overall management of these claims. We have acted as national and regional counsel supervising mass tort litigation. Baker Sterchi uses efficient litigation management strategies to handle individual cases or a large volume of cases, including the coordination of discovery responses.

Strategically, our lawyers have developed innovative approaches to the use of expert opinions and literature. We are skilled in the use of the alternate causation defense as well as Daubert/Frye evidentiary arguments. Drawing on our extensive experience representing industry clients, we have also developed innovative approaches to analyzing and developing product literature warnings and product testing reports, preparing product and medical expert reports, and, analyzing and developing product literature and warnings.

Our experience includes handling claims involving toxins, hazardous wastes and injurious emissions. We represent companies that handle the following chemicals:

Our attorneys have defended a variety of injury claims including those in which serious medical conditions are alleged. In addition to being well versed in the science of chemicals, we are knowledgeable about medical issues and have medical professionals on our staff well versed in the following topics: 

Environmental

Baker Sterchi attorneys have extensive experience handling environmental and natural resources matters on behalf of commercial and industrial clients in a number of forums, including before the Environmental Protection Agency, state environmental and natural resource agencies, and state and federal courts. Our environmental litigators are as prepared defending clients in the courtroom as they are handling complex settlement negotiations or discussions of litigation strategy.  We have successfully represented clients in civil and administrative environmental proceedings, including government enforcement actions, CERCLA (Superfund), RCRA claims, insurance coverage disputes, contract and indemnity claims, and property damage and loss of use actions. We defend clients in litigation involving abatement and remediation, improper storage, solid and hazardous waste management, wastewater and air permitting, rulemaking, standard-setting, environmental site investigation and cleanup, underground storage tanks, release reporting, and compliance auditing. In addition, we are up to date on state and federal regulations and statutes, and advise clients about how best to understand and operate within the regulatory framework. 

Attorneys

News

Illinois Supreme Court Fails to Rein in Destructive Legislation Allowing Civil Claims Against Employers (Mar. 21, 2025)
Challenging Venue and Timely Filing (Mar. 10, 2025)
Judicial Hellholes 2024/2025: A Rising Storm of Litigation Abuse (Feb. 19, 2025)
Generative AI Ethics in Missouri and Beyond (Jan. 27, 2025)
Guidelines on Generative AI Ethics for Kansas and Other Midwest States (Jan. 27, 2025)
Exploring Generative AI Ethics in Illinois and the Broader Midwest (Jan. 27, 2025)
Four Attorneys Join Baker Sterchi In Oregon, Expanding Pacific Northwest Presence (Jan. 07, 2025)
Nuclear Summer: Cook County, Illinois Juries Breaking the Bank in Toxic Tort Claims (Dec. 02, 2024)
The Times They Are a-Changin': Madison County Revises Standing Order for Asbestos Lawsuits (Nov. 19, 2024)
Eighth Circuit overturns fee award in megafund settlement, but declines adoption of bright line rule for limits on fees (Oct. 01, 2024)
Illinois BIPA Reform Reduces Potential Liability for Collecting or Sharing Biometric Data (Sep. 10, 2024)
"Show Me the Malice!": Eighth Circuit Reverses $30 Million Punitive Damages Award (Aug. 20, 2024)
Supreme Court Declines Credit Card Companies' Request to Review Class Certification (Jun. 03, 2024)
Sanction of Dismissal with Prejudice Approved for Repeated Discovery Violations (May. 07, 2024)
"Judicial Hellholes" – Cook County rises to number 2 while St. Louis, St. Clair and Madison County Hold Steady (Dec. 29, 2023)
"Judicial Hellholes" – Cook County rises to number 2 while St. Louis, St. Clair and Madison County Hold Steady (Dec. 29, 2023)
Illinois Expands Law to Allow Punitive Damages for Wrongful Death and Survival Plaintiffs (Oct. 04, 2023)
Medical Causation Opinion Excluded in Toxic Exposure FELA Case (Sep. 14, 2023)
Emily O'Connor Joins Baker Sterchi's Belleville Office (Aug. 01, 2023)
Cary Press Joins Baker Sterchi in St. Louis (Jul. 31, 2023)
The Impact of Mallory v. Norfolk Southern R. Co. in Illinois, Missouri & Kansas (Jul. 31, 2023)
Greg Odom Contributes to Illinois Defense Counsel 2022 Survey of Law (Jun. 14, 2023)
Baker Sterchi Welcomes David Schneidewind in Belleville (Jun. 06, 2023)
Baker Sterchi Welcomes Experienced Trial Lawyer Justin Borawski in Illinois (Mar. 31, 2023)
Baker Sterchi Appoints Practice Group Leaders, Blog Co-Editor (Mar. 01, 2023)
Greg Odom Toxic Tort Article Featured in IDC Quarterly Magazine (Jan. 13, 2023)
"Judicial Hellholes" – St. Clair and Madison County Make Their Way off the List While Cook County and St. Louis Hold Steady (Dec. 29, 2022)
"Judicial Hellholes" – St. Clair and Madison County Make Their Way off the List While Cook County and St. Louis Hold Steady (Dec. 29, 2022)
Baker Sterchi Recognized in "Best Law Firms" (2023 Edition) (Nov. 03, 2022)
SCOTUS Rules States May Seek Recovery from Settlement Payments Allocated for Future Medical Expenses (Jul. 15, 2022)
U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Monsanto's Appeal to End Roundup Lawsuits (Jul. 08, 2022)
Timely Motion for Change of Judge Strips a Judge's Authority to Rule on Subsequent Motions (Jun. 22, 2022)
Baker Sterchi Attorneys Contribute to ALFA Product Liability & Complex Torts Compendium and Quick Reference Guide (Jun. 16, 2022)
TRO Puts Illinois Judicial Circuit Redistricting to a Halt (Feb. 07, 2022)
The Pandemic Continues to Impact Kansas City Area Trials and Verdicts (Feb. 01, 2022)
Favorable Discovery Ruling Obtained for Toxic Tort Client in St. Louis County (Jan. 20, 2022)
"Judicial Hellholes" - A trio of Illinois Counties Move Up the List while the City of St. Louis Remains an Honoree (Dec. 28, 2021)
Baker Sterchi Recognized in "Best Law Firms" (2022 Edition) (Nov. 04, 2021)
Twenty-One Baker Sterchi Lawyers Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© (2022 Edition) (Aug. 19, 2021)
Baker Sterchi Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2022 Edition) (Aug. 19, 2021)
Baker Sterchi Attorneys Holliday and Odom to Continue Leadership Roles on IDC Committees (Jul. 29, 2021)
Prejudgment Interest Has Hit Illinois (Jun. 03, 2021)
Illinois Courts Begin Weighing in on COVID-19 Exposure Claims (Apr. 19, 2021)
Jurisdictional Expansion: Specific Personal Jurisdiction Just Got Broader (Mar. 31, 2021)
Governor Pritzker Vetoed HB3360 but HA2 which imposes a 6% prejudgment interest is already close on its tail. (Mar. 26, 2021)
Baker Sterchi Member Laura Beasley to Present at IDC Webinar Focused on Asbestos Litigation (Feb. 17, 2021)
The Kansas City Area Saw Trials Plummet in 2020 Due to the Pandemic (Feb. 08, 2021)
If Illinois' Governor signs HB3360 it would impose a 9% pre-judgment interest. (Jan. 25, 2021)
Baker Sterchi Elects Two New Members in St. Louis and Belleville (Jan. 04, 2021)
Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom to Speak at IDC Webinar Addressing Expert Witness Deposition Strategies In Asbestos Litigation (Nov. 30, 2020)
U.S. News - Best Lawyers® Recognizes Baker Sterchi with National and Metropolitan Rankings (Nov. 05, 2020)
Missouri enacts significant changes affecting punitive damages and consumer protection claims (Oct. 26, 2020)
Baker Sterchi Lawyers Included in 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Aug. 20, 2020)
Twenty Baker Sterchi Lawyers Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America 2021 (Aug. 20, 2020)
Let's Be Specific About Personal Jurisdiction: Missouri and Illinois Address Bristol-Myers Squibb v. Superior Court of California (Jul. 27, 2020)
Let's Be Specific About Personal Jurisdiction: Missouri and Illinois Address Bristol-Myers Squibb v. Superior Court of California (Jul. 27, 2020)
Baker Sterchi Prevails in Appeal Against the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (Jul. 02, 2020)
Missouri House Approves Stricter Standards for Punitive Damages Claims (May. 13, 2020)
Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom to Speak at IDC Webinar Addressing Asbestos Case Deposition Tactics (May. 13, 2020)
Illinois Appellate Court Reverses Plaintiffs' Verdict in Asbestos Lawsuit (Mar. 16, 2020)
Illinois Appellate Court Reverses Plaintiffs' Verdict in Asbestos Lawsuit (Mar. 16, 2020)
Kansas City Area Saw Increase in Defense Verdicts in 2019, According to Annual Jury Data (Mar. 02, 2020)
Illinois First District Appellate Court upholds $4.8 million asbestos verdict against John Crane. (Feb. 20, 2020)
Illinois First District Appellate Court upholds $4.8 million asbestos verdict against John Crane. (Feb. 20, 2020)
City of St. Louis falls to 5th on the Judicial Hellhole list with Madison and St. Clair Counties, Illinois close behind ranking 7th. (Feb. 12, 2020)
Is a case overturned due to confusing special interrogatories still relevant under rule change? (Feb. 06, 2020)
Baker Sterchi Welcomes Christina Dubis in St. Louis (Jan. 28, 2020)
Baker Sterchi Member Greg Odom Speaks on Asbestos Litigation Panel (Nov. 22, 2019)
Baker Sterchi Recognized in 2020 U.S. News Best Law Firms (Nov. 01, 2019)
Baker Sterchi Adds Jennifer Maloney in St. Louis (Oct. 29, 2019)
Baker Sterchi Enhances Illinois Presence with Addition of Greg Odom and Meghan Kane (Oct. 29, 2019)
The Best Lawyers in America (2020 Edition) Recognizes Fourteen Baker Sterchi Lawyers (Aug. 20, 2019)
United States Supreme Court Holds Counterclaim Defendants May Not Remove Diverse Lawsuits (Jul. 25, 2019)
Second Update: Hopping On The Missouri Bandwagon? Not So Fast Out Of State Litigants. (Jul. 16, 2019)
Illinois Counties Remain Top Jurisdictions for Asbestos Litigation in 2018 (Jul. 08, 2019)
Update: Hopping on the Missouri Bandwagon? Not so Fast Out-of-State Litigants. (May. 20, 2019)
Baker Sterchi Adds Laura Beasley as Member in Belleville, IL Office (May. 06, 2019)
In a case of first impression, the Appellate Court of Illinois allows counsel to withdraw previously disclosed testifying expert (Apr. 12, 2019)
Hopping on the Missouri Bandwagon? Not so Fast Out-of-State Litigants. (Mar. 18, 2019)
City of St. Louis – Still A Judicial Hellhole (Dec. 26, 2018)
Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice Recognized in 2019 U.S. News "Best Law Firms" Report (Nov. 01, 2018)
Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 (Aug. 15, 2018)
Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice Lawyer Recognized as Kansas City Metropolitan Area Product Liability Litigation-Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" (Aug. 15, 2018)
ANTI-FORUM SHOPPING: Limitation on Joinder in Missouri on the Horizon (Jun. 18, 2018)
North Carolina Court Finds Employer's Negligence to Be Superseding, Sole Proximate Cause of Asbestos Plaintiff's Injuries (Feb. 07, 2018)
Missouri Upholds Pollution Exclusion to Relieve Insurance Company from Duty to Defend Toxic Tort Claims Arising from Industrial Pollution (Nov. 27, 2017)
Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice Recognized in 2018 U.S. News "Best Law Firms" Report (Nov. 01, 2017)
Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice Lawyers Recognized in 2018 Edition of Best Lawyers (Aug. 16, 2017)
You've Got Mail - Service of Process by Mail is Satisfactory under the Hague Service Convention (May. 30, 2017)
Court Muzzles Counsel: Says Defendants Cannot Ask Plaintiffs if Their Attorneys Referred Them to Treating Physicians (Apr. 27, 2017)
The Daubert Standard - Coming Soon to a Missouri Court Near You (Mar. 31, 2017)
Federal Judges Blow Their Stacks Over Boilerplate Objections (Mar. 27, 2017)
Reports of the Death of Litigation Tourism in Missouri Have Been Greatly Exaggerated (Mar. 01, 2017)
Successful Defense of Garnishment Action on $82M Class Action Judgment (Jan. 18, 2017)
Mere Designation of an Expert Witness Does Not Waive the Work Product Doctrine Protections (Nov. 02, 2016)
Baker Sterchi Recognized with Tier 1 Rankings in 2017 "Best Law Firms" List (Nov. 01, 2016)
Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice Recognized With 2016 U.S. News – Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" Rankings (Nov. 02, 2015)
Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America (Aug. 17, 2015)
Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice Wins Defense Verdict in Asbestos-Related Matter (Aug. 04, 2015)
The Supreme Court's Jurisdictional Stretch in Resolving the Evidence Needed to Support a CAFA Removal (Jan. 06, 2015)
Dismissal entered in favor or Client in Asbestos Matter (Sep. 22, 2014)
Frying the Frye Test and Increasing the Caps: New Amendments to Kansas Civil Actions and Civil Procedure (Jul. 11, 2014)
Legislative Changes Coming to Missouri's Workers' Compensation Law on January 1, 2014 (Jan. 01, 2014)
Jury Verdict Obtained for Client in Crop Damage Case (Feb. 15, 2013)
Baker Sterchi Obtains Complete Dismissal of Cases Against Pharmaceutical Client (Dec. 31, 2012)