This Week s Top Stories About Asbestos Exposure Attorney
An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos-related victims may suffer from mesothelioma and lung cancer. These illnesses might not be apparent for decades. A New York asbestos lawyer can help those who suffer from this debilitating condition receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney can file a lawsuit against the owners of the buildings or worksites as well as manufacturers and other parties who are responsible for exposing workers and consumers to asbestos.
Military Personnel
From the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos was widely employed throughout the military. It enhanced the resistance to fire, heat insulation, and the tensile strength of vessels, aircrafts, bases and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing materials or who were in close proximity to them are more at risk of developing cancers, such as mesothelioma. The Navy is the most common cause of asbestos-related illness, but other branches of the military could also be at risk.
Asbestos was used extensively on Navy ships and in the Navy's armored vehicles. It was woven into the ropes of boats and was 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 asbestos-containing toxic fibers into the air. When asbestos dust is inhaled it can cause serious health problems including mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Army veterans also face mesothelioma risks due to their exposure to the deadly substance. The Army stopped using asbestos products in the late 1970s, but many Army bases still had asbestos-based materials from the past that were not removed or replaced. Army personnel were exposed asbestos during their stay on the base, when they worked on military vehicles and equipment, such as brake components and electric wiring. The toxic mineral was also found in the Army's barracks as well as living quarters.
Additionally, soldiers were deployed to areas of war and buildings were in the process of being bombed or burned down. These places were often filled with large quantities of asbestos that were burned before being released into the air. Inhaling asbestos, these veterans suffered serious health issues. If a veteran is diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos attorney can help the veteran recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost income, home care, suffering funeral and burial costs as well as discomfort and pain. A successful claim can also be able to compensate veterans for their families' losses in the event that someone close to them died from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. An asbestos attorney could also assist family members in filing an action against negligent businesses that produced and sold the hazardous products.
Industrial Workers
Asbestos was a typical substance used in the work of a lot of industrial workers across New York State. This is especially applicable to those who worked in shipyards, construction projects, power plants, textile mills and automotive brakes.
Asbestos was often incorporated into various building materials, including insulation, fireproof coatings and drywall. Additionally, it was used to make various consumer goods, including flooring, roofing and pipes. Asbest was also used in many public institutions, including hospitals, schools, and offices. Unfortunately many of these industries have been shut down, and the people who were affected are suffering from severe asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
Mechanics, fabricators and welders who work with machinery and vehicles that contain asbestos or who work in older buildings that do not have 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 acknowledged that these kinds of jobs are more susceptible for exposure than many other careers. Some individuals who have served in the military or in recovery and rescue efforts following natural disasters, are also at risk for future exposure when they go into damaged buildings.
Anyone who has experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure should speak to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Reporting suspected asbestos exposure immediately is crucial, as the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. In the case of asbestos-related disease, this time period may be extended as it could take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma attorney or any other conditions to develop.
If a person is diagnosed with a condition like asbestosis or mesothelioma the condition can have a wide-ranging consequences for their family members and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can help those diagnosed to get the financial compensation they need to provide for their families.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is a highly hazardous mineral that could cause lung diseases and cancers such as mesothelioma. When asbestos was extensively used in American industries during the 20th century, the dangers extended far beyond the workers who handled the substance. The asbestos fibers are small enough that they tend to stick to hair, clothing, and equipment. Blue-collar workers were unaware of exposing their spouses and kids to asbestos dust when they brought home their hair, clothing or equipment from work. This is known as secondary exposure.
Many people who never worked with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. They can bring lawsuits against companies that did not warn of the dangers of their products. An experienced lawyer can assist these victims trace the source of their exposure, and to a defendant that may be held accountable for their negligence.
If a person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it is important to contact an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately. These lawyers can assist victims in obtaining compensation to pay medical bills and other expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma lawyers patients may pursue wrongful death claims against companies who failed to fulfill their duty to warn about the dangers of their products.
For those working in construction mesothelioma can be particularly deadly. Construction workers are at risk for asbestos-related diseases because they frequently renovate, demolish and rebuild old structures that are made of asbestos materials.
There is no cure for Mesothelioma. However you can treat the symptoms with medication. These drugs can improve the quality of life for a victim and increase the likelihood of survival. These treatments can be costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
New Jersey, as well as other states, have passed laws that allow spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers accountable for their ailments. To succeed in bringing these claims, victims must prove that the defendant's negligence led to their exposure to asbestos. This can be a difficult task, as mesothelioma and lung cancer have a latency that can last up to 30 years.
Homeowners
If you've contracted a lung disease like mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos, you may have a claim for compensation. You could bring a personal injury lawsuit against the company that exposed you to asbestos or you may be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. A seasoned New York asbestos attorney can help you determine the best course of action.
While asbestos isn't mined or processed in America however, it is still present in many homes and structures. It was used for insulation, particularly for older buildings that needed to withstand fires and extreme temperatures. It also was used as a building material for ceilings, pipes roof shingles, siding, and ceilings. Other asbestos-containing items included paper products, flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. It was also used in automotive friction products (brake, clutch and transmission pads) and heat-resistant clothing.
When these materials are disturbed, asbestos fibers that are airborne may be released. In addition, the process of agitating these materials may cause the fibers to adhere to clothes, posing the risk of exposure to other people. Homeowners who are constructing their homes should have their homes examined for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered, it should be tested by a professional before being removed.
Homeowners should not attempt to collect samples of the materials themselves. Asbestos is a difficult material to test, and attempting to take samples without proper training could lead homeowners and others in the vicinity to serious health risks. A qualified professional can advise that asbestos-containing materials be left alone if they are in good shape and won't be disturbed.
Asbestos-related diseases can be painful and serious, but they can be treated. An experienced asbestos lawyer can assist the victims and their families by filing a claim for compensation against negligent builders, employers and product manufacturers. If you or someone you love has an asbestos-related disease, get in touch with a compassionate New York asbestos attorney today. Our lawyers are available to review your case no cost, and we do not get paid unless we recover money for you. Contact us now to arrange your free consultation.