Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
From the 1930s to the 1970s, asbestos was used in a variety of industrial and commercial products. Asbestos was put into insulation as well as fireproofing, plaster, cements, auto brakes and more.
Workers who worked or handled in the vicinity of these materials are at risk of an increased risk of developing serious lung ailments. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments are usually not diagnosed until several years after exposure.
Be aware of where asbestos is located
Asbestos was a component of hundreds of building materials until the last few years. Although asbestos is no longer a typical material used in construction, it can still be found in many American buildings. Asbestos that is in good state and not disturbed, is not a danger. This is why it's essential for people to be aware of where asbestos is to avoid touching or damaging it.
Asbestos is most commonly found in the flooring and walls around wood-burning stoves as well as painted surfaces. Older homes typically contain vermiculite insulation, which is made up of asbestos, and could also contain sprayed-on or poured-on asbestos plaster or adhesives. Other asbestos-containing materials are paper, millboard, and cement sheets that were used in ceiling and wall drywall.
When these kinds of materials are disturbed, it releases deadly asbestos fibers into the air. These fibres can then be inhaled and lead to serious health problems, including mesothelioma. It is advisable to hire an expert asbestos removal contractor to do any work that involves the removal of these materials.
It is essential for homeowners to understand the distinction between friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos can cause illness more easily because it could release dangerous asbestos particles into the air. Non-friable asbestos however is less hazardous because it is unbroken and only releases tiny fibres when broken or damaged.
Asbestos isn't easy to identify and even if aware of its presence, it's tough to know if it's in good health. This is why it's recommended to leave any suspected asbestos alone unless you're planning on doing some major renovation or remodel of your home.
Contact an attorney for mesothelioma immediately when you suspect asbestos is present in your home. They can guide you on the next steps you should take and determine whether compensation is available through an asbestos trust. Asbestos lawyers can help you file a lawsuit against companies that have exposed their employees to asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Be Certain Not to Disturb Asbestos
Asbestos was used in various construction and industrial products from the 1930s to the 1970s. These included insulation for pipes, fireproofing materials and cements, plasters and mortars as well as automotive brakes. In fact, nearly every person who worked in a shipyard or a building during this time probably had contact with asbestos. Those who did could be exposed to harmful levels of asbestos for decades. Some employees carried asbestos-containing fibers home with them on their clothing and exposed their families to lung cancer as well as mesothelioma.
Fortunately, the United States passed legislation to ban many uses of asbestos and today, there is no longer does asbestos pose as an issue. The fibers are still found in older buildings and homes. Many of these structures are scheduled to be renovated or demolished, however. This puts the people who are involved in these projects at a high risk for exposure.
Since asbestos is inaccessible to the naked eye, workers may not know they have come into contact with it until they develop serious health problems. These symptoms typically take decades to show up and this is why it is important for those who are working with any type of construction project to be mindful of the exposure to asbestos.
Undamaged asbestos products, such as unaffected ceiling or floor tiles, laboratory cabinet tops and siding shingles, will not release asbestos fibers unless manipulated in some way. But if these materials are cut or sawed, drilled or tampered with, they could be airborne and pollute the surrounding area.
Damage to water, continuous vibration or aging can also make asbestos-containing products more friable and cause them to break down and release fibers into the air. For this reason, those who are handling or renovating a building should be cautious and seek the advice of an expert in environmental inspection.
Military personnel are also at risk of asbestos exposure. Because of their frequent travel to overseas locations, they can easily encounter asbestos-containing structures bombed, burned or otherwise destroyed. Asbestos is also present in military vehicles and equipment when they repair or service them. They are 30 times more likely to develop pleural msothelioma than those who did not serve.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
It is your responsibility, if you suspect or are aware that asbestos is present in your workplace, to inform your employer as soon as you can. You may be able to file an asbestos suit against your employer when they knew of the dangers associated with asbestos but failed to warn you. Your lawyer will have to demonstrate that your employer knew asbestos was dangerous, and that they were negligent in not disclosing this information.
Asbestos poses a serious health risk that requires workplaces to follow strict safety regulations and standards. This includes the laws and guidelines implemented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
There are many jobs that have a higher exposure risk to asbestos. These include miners, asbestos abatement workers, custodial and maintenance workers and insulation workers. In addition, people who work in shipyards and at asbestos-contaminated construction sites also face a higher risk of exposure.
Asbestos exposure is linked to various diseases that include mesothelioma. This cancer is most commonly found in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) however it can also affect stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) and other organs as well. It can also affect the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
If an employee is exposed to toxic substances, they should be provided with protective equipment as well as safe working conditions and training. This will prevent any accidental exposure to asbestos. Additionally employers are required to keep records on worker exposure and medical examinations for at least 30 years.
Get in touch with an attorney as quickly as possible if you have been diagnosed with a condition that is related to asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in recovering compensation from the companies that were responsible for your exposure. This could involve filing claims through established bankruptcy trusts and also making personal injury claims against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, building owners and more. In some instances family members of those who died from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases could be entitled to damages for wrongful death.
Contact an attorney
If you've recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer asbestos lawyer or asbestosis, a skilled lawyer is your best resource for obtaining compensation to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. You may be able to bring an asbestos lawsuit against the companies who exposed you or your loved ones to this harmful substance.
Many people who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases didn't realize they were exposed to asbestos until years after exposure. This can make it difficult to obtain the compensation you are entitled to. Your lawyer can help determine if you're qualified to bring a lawsuit and the amount of damages you should be seeking.
Asbestos attorneys are experts in holding corporations accountable when they harm people recklessly. They also understand that mesothelioma patients that they represent have to deal with complicated legal issues like coordinating several doctors and insurance companies.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that can be fatal is caused by asbestos fibers. The symptoms can take decades to show up, and a lot of victims have reached the end of their lives before they are diagnosed. Asbestos companies knew that asbestos was dangerous and hid this information for decades, putting millions of Americans at risk.
The most prevalent type of asbestos exposure happens in the workplace. During the 1930s-1970s asbestos was utilized in a variety of commercial and industrial products, including pipe insulation, fireproofing materials, cements, plasters and car brakes. People who handled these products or touched them were exposed to asbestos fibers. Even family members might be affected if workers brought asbestos dust home with them on their clothing.
Construction workers are most at the risk of exposure to asbestos. They are often involved in the demolition, renovations, and re-building older structures that have asbestos. Many construction workers also have to remove old insulation from buildings which can expose them to asbestos. Additionally, some construction companies didn't take the appropriate safety precautions when working on sites that were hazardous like the World Trade Center following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Personal injury lawyers don't deal with asbestos cases. They are usually focused on motor vehicle accidents or other general injuries. A mesothelioma law firm will comprise a team of attorneys and support staff who deal with only asbestos-related cases. They will have a vast understanding of asbestos's history, locations, companies that used asbestos and much more. They can help victims determine if they were exposed to asbestos at work or elsewhere. They can also assist in finding the correct documents, file an asbestos lawsuit against a company that may not exist and determine if the company has trust funds in place to compensate victims.