How To Resolve Issues With Asbestos Exposure Attorney
An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos-related victims may suffer from mesothelioma and lung cancer. These diseases might not be apparent for decades. A New York asbestos litigation lawyer can help those who suffer from this debilitating illness get compensation for their losses.
An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against the owners of work sites or buildings as well as manufacturers and other parties who are responsible for exposing workers as well as consumers to this deadly mineral.
Military Personnel
Across all branches of the military, asbestos was used extensively from the 1930s until the 1970s. It was used to add resistance to fire, heat insulation and the strength of tensile to vessels, aircrafts, bases and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing products or who were in close proximity to them are at greater risk of developing cancers, such as mesothelioma. The Navy is the most frequently reported cause of asbestos-related illnesses however other branches of the military could be as well.
Asbestos was used extensively on Navy ships and armored vehicles. It was utilized in the boiler rooms and engine rooms to act as an insulation and was ropes were woven on boats. Even ceiling tiles, bedding and flooring were made of asbestos. When these products degraded they released toxic asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust could lead to serious health complications such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Army veterans are also at risk of mesothelioma due to their exposure asbestos. Although the Army had stopped using new asbestos products in the latter part of the 1970s, a lot of Army bases had years of asbestos-based products that were not removed or replaced. While at the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos from working on military vehicles and other equipment, such as brake and electric wiring. The harmful mineral was also present in the Army's barracks as well as living quarters.
In addition, soldiers deployed to war zones and occupied buildings that were in midst of being bombed or burned down. These sites were contaminated with large amounts of asbestos. These were then destroyed and released into the air. As a result of inhaling asbestos, the veterans experienced serious health problems. An experienced asbestos lawyer can help veterans recover financial compensation to pay for medical expenses such as lost wages, home treatment as well as funeral and burial costs if they have mesothelioma as a diagnosis. Veterans could also be compensated for the losses of their families in the event that they lost a loved one to mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease. A lawyer with expertise in asbestos law may be able to assist family members to sue negligent companies that sold and produced asbestos-related products that are dangerous.
Industrial Workers
Many industrial workers across New York State were exposed to asbestos throughout the course of their job. This is particularly applicable to those who worked in construction projects, shipyards, textile mills, power plants and automotive brakes.
Asbestos was frequently used in various building materials, including insulation, fireproof coatings, and drywall. Asbestos was also utilized in various consumer products like roofing, flooring, and pipes. Many public institutions also employed asbestos, such as hospitals, schools, offices and sewage treatment facilities. Unfortunately, these industries have closed, and many victims now suffer from asbestos-related ailments such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Industrial workers most at risk of being exposed include fabricators, mechanics and welders, who work on vehicles and equipment that contain asbestos, or who work in older buildings that haven't been subjected to asbestos abatement. 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 prone for exposure than many other careers. In addition, some people who have served in the military or participated in rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of natural disasters are more at risk of exposure in the future if they enter damaged buildings.
Anyone who has recently experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure must speak to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Notifying asbestos exposure experts immediately is vital, as the statutes of limitations for personal injury lawsuits are three years. However in the case of asbestos-related illnesses, this time period can be extended, as it could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma and other conditions to develop.
When a person is found to have a disease such as asbestosis or mesothelioma it can have a profound impact on their loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can help those diagnosed to get the financial compensation needed to support their families.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is a highly dangerous mineral that can lead to lung cancer and lung diseases like mesothelioma. Asbestos was used extensively in American industries in the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos extended beyond those who handled it directly. The asbestos fibers are so small that they are able to stick to clothing, hair and even equipment. Blue-collar workers would bring the dust home with them on their clothes, in their hair or on the tools they used at work they did not realize that they exposed their children and their spouses to these dangerous particles. This is referred to as secondary exposure.
As a result, many people who never handled asbestos in the workplace are now receiving mesothelioma diagnoses. They can bring lawsuits against companies that failed to warn about the risks of their products. An experienced attorney can assist victims in tracing out the source of their exposure to find an individual who could be held accountable for this negligence.
If someone is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it is important to contact an asbestos exposure attorney immediately. They can assist victims to discover compensation sources to pay for medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also pursue claims for wrongful death against companies who did not warn of the risks their products could pose.
For workers in the construction industry, mesothelioma can be especially dangerous. Because this construction industry often involves demolitions, renovations and reconstruction of old structures that were containing asbestos-containing materials, they are at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.
There is no cure for Mesothelioma. However, you can treat the symptoms by taking medications. These medications can boost the likelihood of survival and improve the quality of life of a victim. However, these treatments are costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws allowing spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers liable for their illnesses. To be successful, victims must show that the defendant's negligence led to their exposure to asbestos. This can be a difficult job when mesothelioma or lung cancer, and other diseases have a long latency period of 30 years or more.
Homeowners
You may be entitled to compensation if your experience led you to develop mesothelioma or another lung disease due to asbestos exposure. You can make a personal injury claim against the company who exposed you to asbestos lawsuit, or you could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. An experienced New York asbestos attorney can help you determine the best method to pursue.
Although asbestos isn't mined or processed in the United States, it can be found in a variety of buildings and homes. It was used in insulation, especially in older buildings that needed to withstand fires and extreme temperatures. It was also used as a building material for pipes, ceilings roofing shingles, siding and roofs. Other asbestos-containing products included paper products, floor felt and fake fireplaces embers. Asbestos was also used to create friction products for automobiles (brake transmission, clutch and brake pads) and heat-resistant clothing.
When these materials are disturbed, asbestos-like airborne fibers can be released. These fibers can also cling to clothing, creating the possibility of exposure to second-hand asbestos. Homeowners who are renovating their properties must have their homes checked for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered it must be tested before removal by a professional.
Homeowners should not attempt to collect materials samples themselves. Asbestos is a difficult material to test, and trying to take samples without proper education could expose homeowners and others living in the vicinity to take on dangerous health hazards. A trained professional can suggest that asbestos lawsuit-containing materials be kept in place if they are in good shape and won't be disturbed.
Asbestos-related diseases can be extremely painful and dangerous, however they can be treated. A knowledgeable asbestos lawyer can help victims and their families in filing claims for compensation against negligent building owners as well as employers and product manufacturers. Contact a New York asbestos lawyer today in the event that you or someone near you has an asbestos-related disease. Our attorneys will review your case for free and won't be paid unless you receive a payment. Contact us now to arrange your free consultation.