An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos sufferers often suffer from conditions like lung cancer and mesothelioma that can take decades to show symptoms. A New York asbestos lawyer can assist those suffering from this debilitating disease get compensation for their losses.
An attorney may bring a lawsuit against owners of worksites or buildings 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 used throughout the military. It added fire resistance, heat insulation and the ability to tensile strengthen bases, aircrafts, vessels and vehicles. Veterans of the military who were exposed to asbestos-rich materials are at greater risk of chance of developing mesothelioma as well as other cancers. The Navy is the most frequently reported cause of asbestos-related illnesses, but other branches of the military could also be at risk.
Asbestos was extensively used on Navy vessels and armored vehicles. It was woven into the ropes of boats, and used as an insulator in boiler rooms and engine rooms. It was even incorporated into flooring, bedding, and ceiling tiles. As these materials degraded, they released toxic asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust can cause serious health issues like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Army veterans are also at risk of mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos. While the Army has stopped using asbestos-based products in the late 1970s, many Army bases had years of asbestos-based materials that were not replaced or removed. Army personnel were exposed to asbestos at times while on base as they worked on military vehicles and equipment such as brake components and electric wiring. The toxic mineral was present in the living areas and barracks of the Army.
Additionally, soldiers were sent to areas of war and buildings that were in process of being bombed or destroyed. These sites contained large amounts of asbestos, which were then burned and released into the air. These veterans inhaled the asbestos and suffered serious health effects. An experienced asbestos attorney could assist veterans in obtaining financial compensation to pay for medical expenses such as lost wages as well as home treatment and pain and suffering, as well as funeral and burial costs in the event of mesothelioma as a diagnosis. Veterans could also be compensated for the loss of their families in the event that someone close to them died from mesothelioma, or a different asbestos-related illness. An asbestos attorney can assist family members in filing an action against negligent businesses that produced and sold the dangerous asbestos-related products.
Industrial Workers
Many industrial workers across New York State were exposed to asbestos in the course of their jobs. This is particularly true for those who worked on construction projects, shipyards and power plants, textile mills automotive brakes, and other industries that employed asbestos extensively during the 20th century.
Asbestos is widely used in building materials such as insulation, fireproofing, and drywall. Asbestos was also utilized in a variety of consumer goods, such as roofing, flooring and pipes. A lot of public institutions also utilized asbestos, like schools, offices, hospitals and sewage treatment facilities. Unfortunately, many of these industries have been closed and the people who were affected are suffering from a variety of devastating asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma lung cancer and asbestosis.
Mechanics, fabricators, and welders who work with machinery and vehicles that contain asbestos or who work in older structures that are not equipped with asbestos abatement are the ones 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.
OSHA has acknowledged that exposure to these kinds of jobs is greater than many other occupations. Some individuals who have served in the military, or in recovery and rescue efforts following natural disasters, are also at risk of exposure when they enter buildings that have been damaged.
Anyone who has recently suffered symptoms of asbestos exposure should speak to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Reporting suspected asbestos exposure immediately is essential, since the statutes of limitations for personal injury lawsuits are three years. However, in the case of asbestos-related diseases, this period is often extended as it could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma as well as other conditions to develop.
When someone is diagnosed with a condition like asbestosis or mesothelioma and asbestosis, it can have profound consequences for their family members and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can assist those who have been diagnosed with the financial compensation required to help their families.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos can cause cancer as well as lung diseases, such as mesothelioma. Asbestos was used extensively in American industries during the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos were not limited to those who handled it directly. The tiny asbestos fibers tend to cling to clothes hair, equipment and clothing. Blue-collar workers would bring the dust home on their clothes or hair, or on tools from work they did not realize that they exposed their spouses and children to the hazardous particles. This is known as secondary exposure.
In the end, many people who have never worked with asbestos in their work environments are now receiving mesothelioma diagnoses. The victims can sue companies that did not warn about the risks associated with their products. An experienced attorney can help victims in tracing the source of their exposure to find a defendant who may be held accountable for the error.
Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately if you are diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos. They can assist victims locate compensation sources to cover medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also file wrongful death lawsuits against companies that failed to warn consumers of the risks their products could pose.
For workers in the construction industry mesothelioma is particularly deadly. Because the construction industry typically involves demolitions, renovations and reconstruction of old structures that were containing asbestos-based materials, those who work in the field are at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.
Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, the symptoms can be controlled with medications. These drugs can improve the quality of life for a victim and increase the odds of survival. However, these treatments can be costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
New Jersey, as well as other states, have enacted laws allowing spouses of asbestos workers hold negligent employers responsible for their illnesses. To be successful, victims must prove that negligence by the defendant led to their exposure to asbestos. This is a daunting job when mesothelioma or lung cancer, and other diseases have a long latency of 30 years or more.
Homeowners
If you've contracted mesothelioma or another lung disease because of exposure to asbestos, you could have a claim for compensation. You can make a personal injury claim against the company who exposed you to asbestos or you may be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. An experienced New York asbestos attorney can assist you in determining the best course of action.
Although Arlington Heights asbestos lawsuit isn't mined or processed in the United States, it can be present in many buildings and homes. It was used as insulation, especially in older buildings that required to withstand high temperatures and fires. It was also used in building materials such as ceilings, pipes and roof shingles. Other asbestos-containing products included flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. Asbestos was also used to create friction products for automobiles (brake, transmission and clutch pads) and heat-resistant clothing.
Asbestos fibers can release into the air when they are disturbed. These fibers can also cling to clothing, increasing the possibility of exposure to second-hand asbestos. Homeowners who are renovating should be able to have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered, it should be tested by a professional before being removed.
Homeowners should avoid taking samples of the materials themselves. Asbestos testing is a complex process, and taking samples without proper training could result in health risks for the homeowner and anyone else in the area. If the asbestos-containing material is in good shape and isn't disturbed, a trained professional may recommend it be left in its place.
Asbestos-related illnesses are extremely painful and abrasive, but they are treatable. An asbestos lawyer who has experience can help the victims and their families file a lawsuit against negligent employers and building owners, as well as the manufacturers of products. Contact a New York asbestos lawyer today should you or someone close to you has an asbestos-related disease. Our attorneys will review your case at no cost and won't be paid unless you receive money. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.