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, fireproofing, plaster and cements as well as auto brakes, among others.
Workers who handle or work near these materials are at a greater chance of developing serious lung diseases. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are typically not discovered until several years after exposure.
Know Where to Find Asbestos
Up until recently asbestos was used in a variety of building materials. While asbestos is no longer a common material used in construction, it can still be used in a number of buildings in the United States. Asbestos, if it’s in good state and not disturbed, is not dangerous. This is why it’s important for people to know where asbestos is located so that they don’t get it in their hands or disturbing it.
Asbestos is commonly found in floors and walls around wood-burning stoves as well as painted surfaces. Older homes typically contain vermiculite insulation which contains asbestos and may also have sprayed-on or poured-on asbestos plaster or adhesives. Other asbestos-containing products include paper, millboard, and cement sheets that are used in wall and roof drywall.
The agitation of these materials releases asbestos fibers that can be deadly to the air. These fibers can be inhaled and lead to serious health issues, such as mesothelioma. It is advisable to engage an skilled asbestos removal or abatement contractor to handle any work that involves disturbing the asbestos-containing materials.
It’s important for homeowners to be aware of the distinction between friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos. Asbestos that is friable is more likely to cause illness since it is more likely to release asbestos-related particles that are harmful into the air. Non-friable asbestos however is less risky since it remains intact and only releases tiny fibres when broken or damaged.
Asbestos is often difficult to identify, and even if it’s present, it can be difficult to determine if it’s good shape. This is why it’s advised to leave any suspected asbestos alone unless you’re planning to do some serious renovation or remodeling of your home.
If you suspect you have asbestos in your home, you should consult a mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced immediately. They can guide you on the next steps you should take and determine whether you are eligible for compensation from an asbestos trust. Asbestos exposure lawyers can aid you in filing an asbestos lawsuit against companies that have exposed their employees to mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
Make sure you do not disturb asbestos
Asbestos was a component of various industrial and construction products from the 1930s until the 1970s. These included insulation for pipes, fireproofing material, plasters and cements as well as brakes for AsbestosLawyersNearMe automobiles. In fact, nearly every person who worked in a shipyard or a building during this period probably was in contact with asbestos. Anyone who handled or touched asbestos could be exposed at dangerous levels for decades. Some employees brought the fibers home with them on their clothing and exposed their family members to lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Fortunately that the United States has passed legislation that bans many uses of asbestos. Asbestos is no longer a major threat. However, asbestos fibers are still present in older homes and buildings. Many of these structures are scheduled for demolition or renovation, however. The projects are exposing those involved to a high level of risk.
Since asbestos is inaccessible to the naked eye, workers might not be aware that they have come into contact with it until they suffer serious health issues. Asbestos symptoms can take many years to manifest, which is why those working on construction projects must be aware of the asbestos exposure they are exposed to.
Undamaged asbestos products like unaltered ceiling or floor tiles and siding shingles will not release asbestos fibres unless the material has been manipulated. If they are cut, drilled, sawed or tampered with, they could possibly become airborne and infect the surrounding area.
Water damage, continuous vibration or aging can make these asbestos-containing materials more porous and lead to them to disintegrate and release fibers into the atmosphere. This is the reason why those renovating or constructing a structure should be aware and seek advice from an environmental inspection specialist.
Members of the military also face a significant risk of exposure to asbestos. Due to their frequent travel to foreign locations, they are likely to encounter asbestos-containing structures that were bombarded, burned or destroyed. Asbestos is also found in military vehicles and equipment as they service or repair them. In reality, veterans are more than 30 times as likely to develop pleural mesothelioma as compared to those who don’t have a military service.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
If you suspect that your workplace may be contaminated with asbestos it is your obligation to notify your employer immediately. You may be able file an asbestos suit against your employer in the event that they were aware of the dangers posed by asbestos but failed to warn you. Your lawyer will have to prove that your employer knew asbestos was harmful and that they were negligent in not disclosing this information.
The majority of workplaces are required to comply with specific safety standards and regulations when it comes to asbestos. There are laws and guidelines created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Certain occupations are thought to be more at risk of exposure to asbestos than other. These include miners, asbestos abatement workers, maintenance and custodial 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 many diseases, including mesothelioma. This type of cancer is seen most commonly in the lungs (pleural msothelioma), but it can also affect the stomach (peritoneal msothelioma) and other organs. It can also affect the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
When an employee is exposed to asbestos, they must be provided with safety equipment, as well as safe working conditions and education. This will help prevent any accidental exposure to the harmful substance. Employers are also required to keep records of worker exposure and medical examinations for at least 30 year.
Get in touch with an attorney as quickly as you can if been diagnosed with a condition that is related to asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you get compensation from the companies responsible for your exposure to asbestos. This could involve filing claims against established bankruptcy trusts, as well as seeking personal injury claims against manufacturers of asbestos-containing or AsbestosLawyersNearMe asbestos-containing products, the owners of buildings and others. In certain cases family members of those who died from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be entitled to compensation for the loss of a loved one.
Contact an Attorney
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma in the last few months, a seasoned attorney is the best choice to seek compensation for medical bills and other expenses. You may be able to file an asbestos lawsuit against companies who exposed you or someone you love to this dangerous substance.
Many people suffering from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases didn’t realize they were exposed asbestos until years after exposure. This can make it extremely difficult to receive the compensation you’re entitled to. Your attorney will determine if you qualify to file a lawsuit and what damages you need to seek.
Asbestos lawyers specialize in bringing large corporations accountable for negligently harming people. They also understand that the mesothelioma victims they represent are often faced with complicated legal issues, such as coordination with a variety of insurance and medical professionals.
Mesothelioma is a fatal disease that is 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 the last stages of life when they receive a diagnosis. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was harmful, but they hid this information for a long time which put millions of Americans at risk.
The most popular form of exposure to asbestos is at work. During the 1930s-1970s, asbestos was used in many industrial and commercial products, including pipe insulation, fireproofing materials, cements, plasters, and car brakes. Workers who handled or touched these products were exposed to the fibers, and even family members could be affected by workers bringing asbestos dust home on their clothes.
Construction workers are at the most risk of exposure to asbestos. They frequently work on renovations, demolitions and re-building of older structures which contain asbestos-containing products. A lot of construction workers have to remove old insulation from buildings which can expose them to asbestos. A few construction companies did not take the appropriate precautions to protect themselves while working on dangerous sites like the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Asbestos cases are not handled by personal injury lawyers, who typically concentrate on cases involving motor vehicle accidents and other general injuries. A mesothelioma-related firm has a team made up of attorneys and support personnel who will only deal with asbestos-related cases. They will have a thorough knowledge of asbestos’ locations and history as well as the companies that used asbestos. They can help victims determine whether they were exposed to asbestos while at work or in other locations. They can also assist in finding the right documents, filing an asbestos lawsuit against businesses that may no longer exist and determining if the companies have trust funds available to compensate victims.