Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
Asbestos was used in a variety of industrial and commercial products from the 1930s until the 1970s. Asbestos is used in insulation, fireproofing and plaster and cements. It's also found in auto brakes.
People who work or play near these materials are at an increased chance of developing serious lung ailments. Usually, asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma do not become apparent until several years after exposure.
Know Where to Find Asbestos
In the past, asbestos was a component in hundreds of building materials. Although asbestos is no longer a common material in construction, it can still be found in many buildings in the United States. Asbestos isn't a danger if it's in good shape and not disturbed. This is the reason it's crucial for people to know where asbestos is to avoid touching or damaging it.
The most common locations where asbestos can be found include flooring and walls around wood-burning stoves, textured paints and insulation. Older homes might have asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation and asbestos-containing adhesives or plaster. Other asbestos-containing products include paper millboard and cement sheets used in roof and wall drywall.
Asbestos fibers are released into air when these materials are disturbed. These fibres are then inhaled and can cause serious health issues like mesothelioma. It is advisable to hire an skilled asbestos removal or abatement contractor to do any work that involves disturbing the asbestos-containing materials.
It is crucial for homeowners to be aware of the difference between friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos. Asbestos with friability is more likely to cause illness because it can easily release dangerous asbestos particles into the air. Non-friable asbestos on the other however, is not as much of a threat since it remains in place and only releases tiny fibres when it's broken or damaged.
Asbestos can be difficult to detect and even if aware of its presence, it's tough to determine if it's in good health. This is why it's advised to leave any suspected asbestos alone unless you're planning to do any major renovation or remodeling of your home.
You should contact mesothelioma lawyers immediately should you suspect asbestos in your home. Chino asbestos lawsuit can advise you on what steps to take and determine if you're eligible to receive compensation from an asbestos trust fund. Asbestos exposure lawyers can aid you in filing a lawsuit against companies that exposed their employees to mesothelioma, asbestos-related diseases.
Do Not Disturb Asbestos
From the 1930s to the 1970s, asbestos was typically used in a variety of industrial and construction products such as pipe insulation and fireproofing materials, as well as plasters and cements, automotive brakes and more. In reality, nearly everyone who worked in a building or shipyard during this time period probably handled or touched asbestos at some time or another. Those who did could be exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos for a long time. Some employees brought the fibers home on their clothes and exposed their families to lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Fortunately, the United States has passed legislation that prohibits the use of asbestos. Asbestos is no longer a serious threat. Nevertheless, the fibers remain in older buildings and homes. A lot of these structures are scheduled to be renovated or demolished, however. This puts those involved in these projects at a significant risk of exposure.
Since asbestos is inaccessible to the naked eye, workers may not know they have come into contact with it until they develop serious health issues. Asbestos symptoms can take years to show up and that is why those who work on construction projects should be aware of their exposure to asbestos.
Undamaged asbestos products, for instance undamaged floor or ceiling tiles, laboratory cabinet tops and siding shingles, will not release asbestos fibers unless they are altered in any way. If these materials are cut or cut, sawed, or otherwise disturbed in any way, they may become airborne, contaminating surrounding area.
The effects of vibrations, water damage or aging may also make these asbestos-containing materials more fragile. They may break down and release fibers into air. This is why people who are renovating or constructing a structure should be aware and consult an environmental inspector.
Military personnel are also at risk of asbestos exposure. Due to their frequent travels overseas they may come across asbestos-containing buildings that were burned, bombed or otherwise destroyed. They may also be exposed to asbestos if they repair or service military vehicles and equipment. They are 30 times more likely to develop pleural msothelioma than those who did not serve.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
If you know or suspect that your workplace is asbestos-contaminated it is your responsibility to notify your employer immediately. If your employer was aware of the risks associated with asbestos but failed to warn you, you may be legally able to file an asbestos lawsuit against them for negligent deception. Your lawyer will have to demonstrate that your employer knew that asbestos was harmful, and that they were negligent in not disclosing this information.
The majority of workplaces are required to adhere to specific safety standards and regulations pertaining to asbestos. This includes the laws and guidelines implemented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
There are many occupations with a higher risk to asbestos. Miners, asbestos abatement, 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 can cause a variety of diseases such as mesothelioma. The majority of the time, this cancer is found in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) but it can also affect the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) and other organs as well. It can also affect the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
When an employee is exposed to asbestos, he or she should be provided with a protective equipment in addition to safe working conditions and education. This will help avoid any accidental exposure to the harmful substance. Employers are also required to keep records of worker exposure and medical examinations for a minimum of 30 year.
If you're diagnosed with a condition caused by asbestos exposure, it is important to consult a knowledgeable attorney immediately. A mesothelioma attorney can help you recover compensation from companies that are responsible for your exposure to asbestos. This may include filing claims through bankruptcy trusts and pursuing injury claims against companies that make of asbestos, products containing asbestos as well as building owners and more. In certain cases, relatives of those who died due to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases can claim a compensation for the loss of a loved one.
Contact an attorney
If you've recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, cancer of the lung or asbestosis, a skilled lawyer is your best resource to get compensation for medical treatment and other expenses. You may be able to make a claim for asbestos against the companies who exposed you or a loved one to this harmful substance.
Many people suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses did not realize they were exposed to asbestos until years after exposure. This can make it difficult to receive the amount of compensation you're entitled to. Your attorney can help you determine if you're legally qualified to bring a lawsuit and what damages you should seek.
Asbestos lawyers are adept in holding corporations accountable for their actions that harm people irresponsibly. They also recognize that mesothelioma patients that they represent struggle with complex legal issues like coordination between multiple doctors and insurance companies.
Mesothelioma is a fatal disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that are dangerous. It takes decades for symptoms to appear and a lot of patients are in the final stages of life by the time they receive a diagnosis. Asbestos companies were aware that asbestos was harmful, but they kept this information hidden for decades. This put millions of Americans in danger.
The most common form of asbestos exposure is in the workplace. During the 1930s-1970s asbestos was found in a variety of commercial and industrial products, including pipe insulation, fireproofing materials, plasters, cements, and brakes for cars. People who touched or handled these products were exposed to the fibers and family members were sometimes affected by workers bringing home asbestos dust on their clothes.
Construction workers are at the highest risk of exposure to asbestos. They are frequently involved in renovations, demolitions and the re-building of older structures that contain asbestos. Construction workers are also required to remove old insulation from structures that could expose them to asbestos. Certain construction companies have also failed to take the proper safety precautions when working on hazardous sites like the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Personal injury lawyers don't deal with asbestos cases. They typically focus on motor vehicle accidents or other general injuries. A mesothelioma law company will comprise a team of attorneys and support staff that handle only asbestos-related cases. They will have extensive knowledge of asbestos history, locations, companies that used asbestos and much more. They can help victims determine if they were exposed to asbestos at work or elsewhere. They can also assist in locating the proper records, filing an asbestos lawsuit against companies that have ceased to exist and determining if the companies have trust funds that are available to compensate victims.