Trespass The term trespass means an intrusion onto the property of another person. A defendant will be liable for trespass if he or she enters the plaintiff's property without the plaintiff's consent and interferes with the landowner's exclusive right to use the land. However, an accidental intrusion onto the property of another does not subject one to liability for trespass. For example, a burglar who intentionally enters someone's home commits trespass. A person who negligently drives onto the property of another is also liable for trespass.
Chattel refers to personal property such as a car, pet or jewelry.
The contamination of a property owner's land and water with toxic residues can cause irreparable harm to health, destroy market value and make an owner's property altogether uninhabitable. A defendant may be liable for a toxic tort if he or she used insufficient disposal or storage methods. Aside from trespass and potential negligence liability, there are a variety of federal, state and local statutes that regulate environmental toxins. Work with an experienced lawyer in your state.