This Week s Top Stories About Asbestos Exposure Attorney
An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos sufferers can develop mesothelioma or lung cancer. These diseases can not be detected for decades. A skilled New York asbestos lawyer could aid those suffering from this debilitating condition obtain compensation for their losses.
An attorney may sue the owners of buildings or worksites manufacturers, as well as other parties who are responsible for exposing workers and customers to asbestos law.
Military Personnel
In all branches of the military, asbestos was employed extensively from the 1930s through the 1970s. It provided fire resistance, heat insulation and the ability to tensile strengthen vessels, aircraft, bases and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing materials or were in their vicinity are at greater risk of developing cancers, such as mesothelioma. The Navy is the most frequently reported cause of asbestos-related illnesses but other branches of the military could be as well.
Asbestos was prevalent on Navy ships and also in the Navy's armored vehicles. It was weaved into the ropes of boats, and used as an insulation in engine rooms and boiler rooms. Even the bedding, ceiling tiles and flooring were made of asbestos. As these materials degraded they released toxic asbestos case fibers into the air. When asbestos dust is inhaled, it can cause serious health complications including mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Army veterans also face mesothelioma risks due to their exposure the dangerous substance. The Army ended the use of asbestos-based products in late 1970s but many Army bases still had asbestos settlement-based products from decades ago that were not removed or replaced. While at the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos from working on military vehicles and equipment, including electric wiring and brake components. The harmful mineral was also found in the Army's barracks and living quarters.
Soldiers also occupied buildings in areas of war that were being bombed, or burning down. These buildings typically contained large amounts of asbestos that were burned and then released into the air. As a result of inhaling asbestos, the veterans suffered serious health consequences. An experienced asbestos attorney could assist veterans to obtain financial compensation to pay for medical expenses such as lost wages and home treatment as well as funeral and burial costs in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Veterans may also be compensated for the loss of their families in the event that someone close to them died from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. An asbestos attorney can assist family members in filing an action against negligent businesses that produced and sold the hazardous products.
Industrial Workers
Many industrial workers across New York State were exposed to asbestos during the course of their work. This is particularly relevant for those who worked in construction projects, shipyards textile mills, power plants and brakes for cars.
Asbestos is widely used in building materials, such as insulation, fireproofing, and drywall. Asbestos was also used in various consumer products, such as roofing, flooring and pipes. Asbest was also used in many public institutions, including hospitals, schools and offices. Unfortunately most of these industries have been shut down and the victims are now suffering from severe asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Fabricators, mechanics, and welders who work with equipment and vehicles that contain asbestos or work in older buildings without asbestos abatement are most at risk. They may have also handled asbestos-contaminated tools and safety gear, such as gloves and fire blankets made of asbestos-treated cotton.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recognized that these types of jobs are more susceptible for exposure than other occupations. Additionally, certain individuals who have been in the military or served in the rescue and recovery efforts following natural disasters are at risk of future exposure when they enter damaged structures.
Anyone who has experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure should talk to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. The prompt reporting of asbestos exposure is essential, since the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits are three years. In the case of asbestos-related disease, this period can be extended because it could take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma or other diseases to develop.
If someone is found to be suffering from a condition such as asbestosis or mesothelioma it can have a significant impact on their family and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma law firm can assist patients in obtaining the financial compensation they need to provide for their families and live a life of comfort.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos can cause cancer and lung diseases, like mesothelioma. Asbestos was used extensively in American industries during the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos were not limited to those who handled it directly. The asbestos fibers are so tiny that they are able to stick to hair, clothing and even equipment. Blue-collar workers unknowingly exposed their spouses and kids to asbestos dust when they brought it home on their hair, clothing, or even tools from work. This is referred to as secondary exposure.
Many people who never been exposed to asbestos have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims are able to bring lawsuits against companies that failed to warn about the risks that their products pose. An experienced lawyer can assist such victims to trace the source of their exposure, and to a defendant who could be held accountable for their inattention.
Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer as soon as possible when you're diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos. These attorneys can help victims to locate compensation sources to cover medical expenses and other expenses. In addition, mesothelioma victims can bring wrongful-death claims against companies that did not fulfill their duty to warn about the dangers associated with their products.
Construction workers are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma. Construction workers are at risk for asbestos-related illnesses because they often remodel, demolish and reconstruct old structures that are made of asbestos-containing materials.
While there is no cure for mesothelioma the symptoms can be treated with medications. These medications can enhance a victim's quality of life and increase the chances of survival. These treatments can be expensive. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws allowing spouses of asbestos workers to sue negligent employers for their ailments. In order to be successful in such claims, the victims must show that the defendant's negligence was responsible for the exposure to asbestos. This is a challenging task since mesothelioma as well as lung cancer have a latency that can last up to 30 years.
Homeowners
If you have developed mesothelioma or another lung disease due to exposure to asbestos, you could be entitled to compensation. You could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or through filing an injury lawsuit against the company that exposed you to asbestos. A seasoned New York asbestos attorney can assist you in determining the best way to proceed.
While asbestos is not mined or processed in the United States anymore, it is still found in a variety of homes and buildings. It was used as insulation, particularly for older buildings that had to withstand fires and extreme temperatures. It was also used for construction materials like ceilings, pipes, and roofing shingles. Other asbestos-containing products included paper products, floor felt and fake fireplaces embers. It was also used in automotive friction products (brake clutch, transmission and brake pads) and in heat-resistant clothing.
If these materials are disturbed, asbestos-like airborne fibers may be released. These fibers can also cling to clothing, posing the risk of exposure to second-hand. Homeowners who are remodeling should have their properties inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered it must be tested before removal by a professional.
Homeowners should avoid taking samples of the materials themselves. Asbestos testing is a complicated process, and attempting to collect samples without proper instruction could result in health risks for the homeowner as well as any other person in the area. If the asbestos-containing material is in good shape and will not be disturbed, a trained professional may recommend it be left alone.
Asbestos-related illnesses are severe and painful, but they can be treated. An experienced asbestos lawyer can assist the victims and their families by filing claims for compensation against negligent building owners as well as employers and manufacturers of products. If you or someone you know suffers from an asbestos lawsuit-related condition, speak with an experienced New York asbestos attorney today. Our attorneys will review your case for free and we won't get paid unless you are paid. Call us today to arrange your complimentary legal consultation.