Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
From the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos was utilized in countless commercial and industrial products. Asbestos was used in insulation, fireproofing and plaster and cements. It is also used in automobile brakes.
People who work or play in the vicinity of these materials are at risk of the risk of developing serious lung diseases. Usually, asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma do not become apparent until many years after exposure.
Know Where to Find Asbestos
Up until recently asbestos was used in a variety of building products. While asbestos is no longer a common material in construction however, it is found in many structures in the United States. Asbestos that is in good condition and not disturbed is not dangerous. It's important that people are aware of where asbestos is located so that they don't touch or disturb it.
The most frequent places where asbestos is found is flooring, walls around wood-burning stoves, textured paint and insulation. Older homes may contain asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation, as well as asbestos-containing plaster or adhesives. Other asbestos-containing products include paper, millboard, and cement sheets that are used in roof and wall drywall.
Asbestos fibers are released into air when these materials are disturbed. The fibers are then breathed in and can cause serious health issues including mesothelioma. Hiring an asbestos abatement or removal contractor with a track record is an ideal choice for any work involving these materials.
It is crucial that homeowners are aware of the distinction between non-friable and friable asbestos. Friable asbestos can trigger disease more quickly as it releases harmful asbestos particles into the air. Non-friable asbestos however is less hazardous as it remains intact and only releases tiny fibres when damaged or broken.
Asbestos can be difficult to identify, and even if it is present, it is hard to determine if it's in good condition. It is generally recommended to leave asbestos in its place unless you are planning on doing serious renovations or remodeling in your home.
If you suspect you have asbestos in your home, contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney immediately. They'll be able to provide you with the steps to take and determine if you're eligible for compensation from an asbestos trust fund. Asbestos lawyers can help to file a lawsuit against businesses that have exposed their employees to asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma.
Take measures to avoid disturbing asbestos
From the 1930s to the 1970s, asbestos was commonly placed in a wide range of construction and industrial products such as pipe insulation and fireproofing materials, cements and plasters, automotive brakes, and more. In fact, virtually anyone who worked in a building or shipyard during this time period probably handled or touched asbestos at one time or another. Anyone who did may be exposed to harmful levels of asbestos for years. Some employees carried asbestos-containing fibers home on their clothes and exposed their families to lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Fortunately the United States passed legislation to prohibit the use of asbestos in a variety of ways and today, there is no longer does asbestos pose an issue. The asbestos fibers can still be found in older buildings and homes. A lot of these structures are slated for demolition or renovation, however. The people involved in these projects are exposed to a significant level of risk.
As asbestos is invisible and invisible to the naked eye, workers may not be aware of their exposure until they experience serious health problems. Asbestos symptoms can take many years to show up this is the reason why people involved in construction projects should be aware of their asbestos exposure.
Undamaged asbestos products, for instance unaffected ceiling or floor tiles or laboratory cabinet tops, as well as siding shingles, do not release asbestos fibers unless they are manipulated in a way. However, if they are cut or sawed, drilled, or disturbed, they can be airborne and pollute the surrounding area.
Water damage, vibrations or aging can make these asbestos-containing products more fragile. They may break down and release the fibers into the air. This is why those who are renovating or constructing a structure should be aware and consult an expert in environmental inspection.
Military personnel are also at risk for asbestos exposure. Because of their frequent travel to foreign locations, they are likely to encounter asbestos-containing structures that were destroyed by fire, bombs or demolished. They can also be exposed to asbestos when they are servicing or repairing military vehicles and other equipment. These veterans are 30 times more likely to develop pleural mesothelioma than those who did not have a military background.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
It is your responsibility, if suspect or know that asbestos is present at your workplace, to inform your employer as soon as possible. You may be able file an asbestos lawsuit against your employer if they were aware of the dangers of asbestos, but failed to warn you. However your lawyer will have to prove several elements of the claim, including that your employer knew that asbestos was harmful and was negligent in not disclosing this information.
The majority of workplaces are required to adhere to specific safety standards and regulations when it comes to asbestos. This includes the laws and guidelines implemented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Certain occupations are believed to have a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than other. 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 has been linked to many diseases that include mesothelioma. This cancer is most commonly found in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) but can affect stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) and other organs as well. It can also affect the heart (pericardial pericardioma).
If employees are exposed, they should be provided with safety equipment and safe working conditions and training. This will help avoid any accidental exposure to the harmful substance. Additionally employers are required to keep track of employee exposure and medical examinations for at least 30 years.
If you have been diagnosed with a condition caused by asbestos exposure, it is essential to consult a knowledgeable attorney immediately. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you recover compensation from companies responsible for your exposure to asbestos. This could include filing claims through bankruptcy trusts, as well as pursuing injury claims against manufacturers of asbestos, products containing asbestos or asbestos-containing products, building owners, and more. In some instances, family members of those who have passed away from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases could be entitled to wrongful death benefits.
Contact an Attorney
If you've recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer or asbestosis, an experienced lawyer is your best resource for obtaining compensation to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. You may be able to file an asbestos lawsuit against a company that exposed you, or a loved one to this dangerous substance.
Many who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases didn't realize they were exposed asbestos until years after exposure. This can make it extremely difficult to obtain the amount of compensation you deserve. Your attorney can determine if you're eligible to file a lawsuit and what damages you should seek.
Asbestos lawyers are skilled in bringing large corporations to account for their actions that harm people irresponsibly. They also recognize that mesothelioma victims they represent are often struggling with complex legal issues, like coordinating with numerous insurance companies and doctors.
Mesothelioma is a fatal asbestos lawyers cases cancer is caused by asbestos fibers. It takes decades for symptoms to appear and many sufferers are in their final stages of life before they receive a diagnosis. Asbestos companies knew that asbestos was harmful, however they hid this information for decades. This put millions of Americans in danger.
The most frequent form of asbestos exposure is in the workplace. From the 1930s to the 1970s asbestos was utilized in a variety of commercial and industrial products, including pipe insulation, fireproofing materials cements, plasters, and brakes for cars. People who handled these products or touched them were exposed to asbestos fibers. Even family members could be affected if workers brought asbestos dust home on their clothes.
Construction workers are at the highest the risk of exposure to asbestos. They are often involved in renovations, demolitions and re-building of older structures that contain asbestos-containing products. A lot of construction workers are responsible for removing old insulation from buildings, which can create an additional exposure to asbestos. Furthermore, some construction firms did not take proper safety precautions when working on hazardous sites like the World Trade Center following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Asbestos cases are not handled by personal injury lawyers, who typically concentrate on cases that involve motor vehicle accidents as well as other general injuries. A mesothelioma-related firm has a team made up of attorneys and support staff who will only deal with asbestos-related cases. They will have an extensive understanding of asbestos's history locations, the places, asbestos-related companies and much more. They can assist victims in determining if they were exposed to asbestos while at work or in other places. They can also assist in finding the appropriate documents, submitting an asbestos lawsuit against companies which may have gone out of business and determining if those companies have trust funds that are available to compensate victims.