Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
Asbestos was used in a variety of commercial and industrial products from the 1930s until the 1970s. Asbestos was used to make insulation for fireproofing, drywall, cements as well as auto brakes and other automobile parts.
People who work with or near these materials are at a greater risk of developing lung illnesses. Typically, asbestos-related lung diseases such as mesothelioma are not diagnosed for many years after exposure.
Know Where to Find Asbestos
Up until recently asbestos was a component in hundreds of building materials. While asbestos is no longer a common building material but it is found in many buildings in the United States. Asbestos is not dangerous when it's in good condition and not disturbed. This is why it's essential for people to be aware of where asbestos is to avoid touching or disturbing it.
Asbestos is typically found in the flooring and walls around wood-burning stoves as well as painted surfaces. Older homes often have vermiculite insulation that contains asbestos, and could also contain asbestos plaster that has been poured on or sprayed or adhesives. Other asbestos-containing materials include paper, millboard and cement sheets that were used in wall and ceiling drywall.
The agitation of these materials releases asbestos fibers that can be deadly to the air. The fibers are then breathed in which can lead to serious health issues including mesothelioma. It's a good idea to hire an skilled asbestos removal or abatement contractor to do any work that involves removing these materials.
It is important that homeowners are aware of the distinction between friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos can cause illness more easily because it could release harmful asbestos particles in the air. Non-friable asbestos on one however, is not as much of a threat because it stays together and only releases tiny fibres when it's broken or damaged.
Asbestos can be difficult detect, and even if it's present, it's difficult to determine if it's in good condition. This is why it's advised to leave asbestos-related items alone unless you're planning any major renovation or remodeling of your home.
You should contact mesothelioma lawyers immediately should you suspect asbestos in your home. They can advise you on the next steps you should take and determine whether compensation is available through an asbestos trust. Asbestos exposure lawyers can aid you in filing a lawsuit against companies who have exposed their employees to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Be Certain Not to Disturb Asbestos
In the 1930s and into the 1970s, asbestos was often placed in a wide range of industrial and construction products such as pipe insulation and fireproofing materials, as well as plasters and cements, automotive brakes and more. In reality, almost everyone working in a construction site or shipyard during this time period likely handled or touched asbestos at one point. Anyone who did may be exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos for years. Some employees even brought home the fibers that were on their clothing, exposing their families to dangers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Fortunately that the United States passed legislation to stop the use of asbestos in many ways and today, no longer does asbestos pose as much of a threat. Nevertheless, the fibers are still present in older buildings and homes. Many of these buildings are slated for demolition or renovation however. This puts the people who are involved in these projects at a significant risk for exposure.
Because asbestos is invisible to the naked eye, those working with it may not know they have come into contact with it until they develop serious health issues. These symptoms typically take decades to manifest themselves, which is why it is crucial for those involved in any construction project to be aware of their exposure to asbestos.
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 some way. If the materials are cut or drilled, sawed, or manipulated in any way, they could be released into the air, contaminating the surrounding area.
The effects of vibrations, water damage or aging may also make these asbestos-containing materials more easily brittle. They could break down and release fibers into air. This is why those who are renovating or handling a building should be aware and consult an environmental inspector.
Members of the military also face a significant risk for asbestos exposure. Because of Farmington Hills asbestos attorney to overseas locations, they are likely to encounter asbestos-containing structures destroyed by fire, bombs or demolished. They can also be exposed to asbestos if they repair or service military vehicles and other equipment. In fact, these veterans could be more than 30 times more likely to develop pleural cancer compared to those who do not serve in the military.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
If you suspect or know that your workplace may be contaminated with asbestos it is your obligation to inform your employer as soon as you can. You may be able file an asbestos suit against your employer if they were aware of the dangers associated with asbestos, but did not warn you. Your lawyer will have to prove that your employer knew that asbestos was harmful, and they were negligent in not revealing this information.
Asbestos poses a serious health hazard that requires workplaces to adhere to strict safety regulations and standards. This includes the laws and guidelines that are formulated 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 others. These include 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 has been linked to a number of diseases which include mesothelioma. This type of cancer is seen most commonly in the lung (pleural msothelioma), but it can also affect the stomach (peritoneal msothelioma), and other organs. It can also affect your heart (pericardial pericardioma).
If employees are exposed, they must be provided with safety equipment and safe working conditions and training. This will prevent any accidental exposure to asbestos. In addition employers are required to keep records on worker exposure and medical exams for a minimum of 30 years.
Get in touch with an attorney as quickly as possible if you have been diagnosed with a disease caused by asbestos exposure. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will help you to recover compensation from the companies responsible for your exposure. This may include filing claims through bankruptcy trusts as well as pursuing injury claims against manufacturers of asbestos or products that contain asbestos or asbestos-containing products, building owners, and many more. In some instances families of those who have passed away from mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses may be entitled to wrongful death benefits.
Contact an attorney
If you've recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer or asbestosis, a skilled lawyer is your best resource to get compensation for medical treatments and other expenses. You could be able to file an asbestos lawsuit against the companies who exposed you, or someone you love to the harmful substance.
Many who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses did not know they were exposed to asbestos until years after exposure. This can make it difficult to get the justice you deserve. Your attorney can determine if you qualify to file a suit and what damages you should be seeking.
Asbestos lawyers specialize in holding large corporations accountable for recklessly harming people. They also know that mesothelioma victims they represent are often faced with complicated legal issues, including coordination with a variety of doctors and insurance companies.
Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer is caused by asbestos fibers. The symptoms can take a long time to develop, and many sufferers are at the end of their lives before they are diagnosed. Asbestos companies knew asbestos was harmful and concealed the truth for years, putting millions of Americans at risk.
The most frequent type of asbestos exposure occurs in the workplace. From the 1930s to the 1970s asbestos was found in many industrial and commercial products, including pipe insulation, fireproofing materials, cements, plasters and car brakes. People who touched or handled these products were exposed fibers and family members were sometimes affected by workers bringing asbestos dust home on their clothes.
Construction workers are at the highest risk of exposure to asbestos. They frequently work on renovations, demolitions and re-building of older structures that contain asbestos-containing products. Construction workers are also required to remove old insulation from buildings, which can expose them to asbestos. Certain construction companies have also failed to take the proper precautions to protect themselves while working on dangerous sites like the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Personal injury lawyers do not deal with asbestos cases. They typically focus on motor vehicle accidents or other general injuries. A mesothelioma law firm will have a team of attorneys and support staff that handle only asbestos-related cases. They will have a vast understanding of asbestos's history, locations, asbestos-related companies and more, and 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 right records, file an asbestos lawsuit against a business which may not exist and determine if the company has trust funds available to compensate victims.