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Answer: If I understand you correctly, you're saying that there was a gas leak for a year.
If that is the case, you would have a case IF you can prove that (1) there was a gas leak for a year; and (2) that the gas leak made you sick.
If you have been sick for a year, yes, it's worth pursuing, and you have a good chance of winning.
It'll probably take up to two years. To win, you'll need medical records that show that you became ill after you moved in, and continued to be ill during that time period.
How much you may win may depend on how sick you were. The way that attorneys often figure out the value of these cases is by looking at jury award for similar cases in your geographical area.
In most instances, an attorney will accept a case like this on a commission (contingency). You will be responsible for costs (such as the costs of experts, paying for medical records, etc). Some attorneys will want this money up front in a retainer (make sure it's refundable if not used); others, particularly in larger law firms, may pay the costs up front, and then get reimbursed at settlement or when a trial is won.
The type of attorney you would use is a personal injury attorney; ideally, someone with experience dealing with these types of cases in particular. Some of these attorneys call themselves plaintiffs' attorneys or trial attorneys.
Don't actually HIRE an attorney without first checking references. And don't try to pick the attorney's brain on the phone. Schedule an appointment and visit the office, like you would for a doctor!
You can find personal injury attorneys through here: http://www.ttla.com/TX/
and
here: http://www.texasbar.com/Content/NavigationMenu/Additional_Information_For_The_Public/Selecting_a_Lawyer/Lawyer_Referral_Information_Service/Lawyer_Referral_Information_Service.htm
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Atty. 22 years; Plain English answers to family law, employment, landlord-tenant, & other questions