從1980年代中期開始,環境有害物質侵權訴訟逐漸得到美國法學界和實務界的關注。根據傳統侵權行為法理論,原告受到物理性侵害(有形性侵害)或身體受到實際傷害是請求損害賠償的前提。環境侵權潛在受害者因尚未表現出疾病症狀,其索賠面臨著法律上的難題。然而,環境污染(有害物質暴露)所引發的健康損害通常具有潛在性和延遲性,其結果一旦發生即不可逆轉,受害者待到疾病到來時的索賠往往缺乏實際價值。因此,環境侵權潛在損害的法律救濟問題成為21世紀現代侵權行為法的新課題,幫助潛在受害者尋求法律救濟的「非傳統型侵權訴訟」也應運而生。為回應社會的現實需要,美國法院逐漸允許環境有害物質的潛在受害者在疾病發生之前提起侵權訴訟,並在一定條件下為其提供法律救濟。
Since 1980’s, toxic tort claims have attracted lots of attention among American jurists. According to theory of traditional tort law, plaintiff should prove physical injury suffered when he or she brings a lawsuit. However, with the development of society, people gradually begin to recognize that exposure of toxic substance occurs frequently and the serious problems caused by latent harm could not be ignored anymore. As a challenge to traditional tort law, how to remedy potential victims becomes more and more important in modern society. In recent years, with the development of common law, in responding to change in society, American courts allowed people who have not endure physical injury yet to bring suits. Potential victims often bring claims based on such as fear of future injuries or increased risk of disease or medical monitoring.