Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
From the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos was used in a variety of industrial and commercial products. Asbestos was used to make insulation for fireproofing, drywall, cements, auto brakes and more.
Workers who worked or handled in the vicinity of these materials are at risk of the risk of developing lung diseases. Typically, asbestos-related lung diseases such as mesothelioma do not become apparent until many years after exposure.
Know Where to Find Asbestos
Asbestos was a component of hundreds of building products up until recently. While it's no longer common in construction materials, it's still used in a lot of homes across the United States. Asbestos isn't dangerous if it's in good condition and isn't disturbed. It's important that people are aware of where asbestos is so they don't touch or disturb it.
The most frequent places where asbestos can be found include flooring, walls around wood-burning stoves, textured paint and insulation. Older homes often contain vermiculite insulation, which is made up of asbestos, and can also contain sprayed-on or poured-on asbestos plaster or adhesives. Other asbestos-containing materials include paper, millboard, and cement sheets that were used in ceiling and wall drywall.
When these kinds of materials are disturbed, it releases asbestos fibers that can be deadly to the air. These fibers can be inhaled and lead to serious health issues, including mesothelioma. It is advisable to engage an experienced asbestos abatement or removal contractor to take on any job that involves the removal of these materials.
It is essential that homeowners understand the difference between non-friable and friable asbestos. Friable asbestos is more likely to cause illness as it is more likely to release dangerous asbestos particles into the air. Non-friable asbestos however is less hazardous because it is unbroken and only releases tiny fibers when it is damaged or broken.
Asbestos can be difficult find, and even if it's present, it can be difficult to determine if it's good condition. It is generally recommended to leave asbestos in its place, unless you plan to undertake major remodels or renovations to your home.
It is recommended to contact a mesothelioma lawyer immediately should you suspect asbestos in your home. They can advise you on the next steps you should take and determine whether you are eligible for compensation from an asbestos trust. Asbestos lawyers can help file a lawsuit against companies that have exposed their employees to asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.
Take measures to avoid disturbing asbestos
Asbestos was utilized in a variety of construction and industrial products from the 1930s through the 1970s. It was used as insulation for pipes, fireproofing material, plasters and cements and also brakes for cars. In fact, virtually anyone working in a construction site or shipyard during this time period probably handled or touched asbestos at some time or another. Anyone who handled or touched asbestos could be exposed at dangerous levels for a long time. Some employees carried asbestos-containing fibers home on their clothing and exposed their family members to lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Fortunately the United States passed legislation to ban many uses of asbestos and today, no longer does asbestos pose as any threat. However, asbestos fibers are still present in older buildings and homes. However, many of these buildings will be undergoing renovations or demolitions. This puts the people who are involved in these projects at a high risk for exposure.
Because asbestos is invisible to the naked eye, those working with it might not be aware that they have come into contact with it until they experience serious health issues. Asbestos symptoms can take many years to show up this is the reason why people working on construction projects must be aware of the asbestos exposure they are exposed to.
Undamaged asbestos products, like unaffected ceiling or floor tiles or laboratory cabinet tops, as well as siding shingles, do not release asbestos fibers unless altered in any way. But if these materials are cut or sawed, drilled, or disturbed, they can potentially become airborne and contaminate the surrounding area.
Water damage, vibrations or aging can make these asbestos-containing materials more friable. They can then break down and release the fibers into the air. This is why people who are renovating or handling a building must be cautious and consult an expert in environmental inspection.
Military personnel are also at risk of exposure to asbestos. Because of their frequent travels overseas, they may encounter asbestos-containing buildings that were burned, bombed or otherwise destroyed. They may also be exposed to asbestos when they repair or service military vehicles and equipment. In reality, veterans are more than 30 times more likely to develop pleural mesothelioma as compared to those who do not have a military service.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
It is your responsibility, if suspect or know that asbestos is present in your workplace to inform your employer as soon as possible. If your employer was aware of the dangers associated with asbestos and failed to warn you, you may be legally able to bring an asbestos lawsuit against them for negligent false representation. However, your lawyer will need to prove a variety of aspects of this claim such as that your employer knew that asbestos was dangerous and was negligent in not disclosing this information.
Asbestos is a significant health hazard that requires workplaces to follow strict safety regulations and standards. This includes the laws and guidelines put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Certain occupations are thought to have a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than others. Miners, asbestos abatement workers, maintenance and custodial workers and insulation workers are all at risk. 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 many diseases which include mesothelioma. The cancer is mostly in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) however, it can also affect the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma), and other organs. It can also affect your heart (pericardial pericardioma).
If an employee is exposed, they must be provided with safety equipment as well as safe working conditions and training. This should help prevent accidental exposure to asbestos. Employers are also required to keep track of worker exposure and medical examinations for a minimum of 30 year.
If you have been diagnosed with a condition related to asbestos exposure, it is important to consult a knowledgeable attorney immediately. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you recover compensation from companies accountable for your exposure to asbestos. This may include filing claims with bankruptcy trusts and pursuing injury claims against companies that make of asbestos or products containing asbestos, building owners, and many more. In certain cases families of those who have died from mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases could be entitled to damages for wrongful death.
Contact an Attorney
Whether you have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer or asbestosis, a skilled lawyer is your best resource to obtain compensation for medical treatment and other expenses. You may be able to file an asbestos lawsuit against the companies that exposed you or your loved one to this harmful substance.
Many people with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases didn't know they had been exposed to asbestos until many years later. This can make it extremely difficult to obtain the justice you are entitled to. Your attorney will determine if you're eligible to file a lawsuit and the amount of damages you need to seek.
Asbestos lawyers specialize in holding large corporations accountable for recklessly harming people. They also recognize that mesothelioma patients they represent are often confronted with complex legal issues, such as coordinating with numerous insurance companies and doctors.
Mesothelioma is a fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that pose a threat to health. It takes a long time before symptoms begin to manifest and a lot of patients are in their final stages of life by the time they receive a diagnosis. Asbestos companies were aware that asbestos was harmful, however they kept this information hidden for a long time. This put millions of Americans in danger.
The most frequent type of exposure to asbestos is at work. Asbestos was used in a myriad of commercial and industrial products during the 1930s to the 1970s, such as insulation for pipes, fireproofing plasters and cements and car brakes. Anyone who touched or handled these products were exposed fibers and family members could be affected when workers brought asbestos dust home on their clothes.
Construction workers are at highest risk for asbestos exposure. They frequently work on construction, renovations, demolitions and reconstruction of older structures which contain asbestos-containing products. A lot of construction workers are tasked with the removal of old insulation from buildings, which could result in more exposure to asbestos. Certain construction companies have also didn't take proper safety precautions when working on hazardous locations like the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Personal injury lawyers don't deal with asbestos cases. They usually focus on motor vehicle accidents or other general injuries. A mesothelioma lawyer will comprise a team of attorneys and support staff who deal with only asbestos-related cases. They will have a deep knowledge of asbestos's locations and history, as well as companies that employed asbestos. They can help victims determine if they've been exposed to asbestos while at work or in other places. They can also assist in finding the correct asbestos attorney lawyer mesothelioma documents, file an asbestos lawsuit against a company that may not exist and determine if the company has trust funds to compensate victims.