Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
From the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos was utilized in a variety of industrial and commercial products. Asbestos is used in insulation, fireproofing and plaster and cements. It's also found in automobile brakes.
Workers who work or handle near these materials are at a greater risk of developing lung diseases. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments are usually not diagnosed until years after exposure.
Know Where to Find Asbestos
Asbestos was a component of hundreds of building products until recently. Although asbestos is no longer a popular material in construction however, it is present in a variety of American buildings. Asbestos, if it's in good condition and not disturbed is not dangerous. This is why it's essential for people to know where asbestos is so they can avoid touching or causing damage to it.
Asbestos is commonly found in floors and walls around wood-burning stoves as well as painted surfaces. Older homes may contain asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation and asbestos-containing adhesives or plaster. Other asbestos-containing products include paper, millboard and cement sheets which were used in ceiling and wall drywall.
Disturbing these types of materials releases deadly asbestos fibers into the air. These fibres can then be inhaled and 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 the removal of these materials.
It is crucial for homeowners to know the distinction between friable and non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos can trigger disease more quickly as it can release harmful asbestos particles in the air. Non-friable asbestos, on the other hand is much less of a threat as it stays together and only releases tiny fibres when broken or damaged.
Asbestos isn't always easy to spot and even if you are aware of its presence, it's difficult to know if it's in good shape. Gilbert asbestos lawyers is generally advised to leave asbestos in its place unless you are planning to undertake major renovations or remodeling of your home.
It is recommended to contact a mesothelioma lawyer immediately should you suspect asbestos in your home. They will advise you on the next steps to take and determine whether compensation is available through an asbestos trust. Asbestos exposure lawyers can aid you in filing an asbestos lawsuit against companies that have exposed their workers to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Do Not Disturb Asbestos
In the 1930s and into the 1970s, asbestos was often found in a variety of industrial and construction products including pipe insulation, fireproofing materials, plasters and cements, automotive brakes, and more. In fact, almost everyone who worked in a shipyard or a building during this period probably had contact with asbestos. Those who did could be exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos for years. Some employees even brought home asbestos fibers on their clothing which exposed their families to dangers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Fortunately that the United States has passed legislation which bans the use of asbestos. Asbestos is no longer a serious danger. However, the asbestos fibers are still present in older homes and buildings. However, many of these buildings will be being renovated or demolished. This puts those involved in these projects at an increased risk for exposure.
Because asbestos is invisible to the naked eye, workers might not realize they've come into contact with it until they suffer serious health issues. Asbestos symptoms can take many years to manifest and that is why those who work on construction projects should be aware of the asbestos exposure they are exposed to.
Undamaged asbestos products such as unaltered floor or ceiling tiles and siding shingles won't release asbestos fibres unless the material has been handled. If they are cut or sawed, drilled, or disturbed, they can potentially become airborne and contaminate the surrounding area.
The effects of water damage, constant vibration or aging can also make asbestos-containing materials fragile and cause them to break down and release the fibers into the atmosphere. For this reason, those who are handling or renovating a building must be aware and seek the advice of an expert in environmental inspection.
Members of the military also face a significant danger of exposure to asbestos. Because of their frequent travels to overseas locations, they can easily encounter asbestos-containing structures destroyed by fire, bombs or demolished. Asbestos can also be found in military vehicles and equipment when they service or repair them. In fact, these veterans could be more than 30 times more likely to develop pleural cancer compared to those who don't participate in the military.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
It is your responsibility, if you suspect or know that asbestos is present in your workplace, to inform your employer as soon as possible. You may be able file an asbestos lawsuit against your employer when they knew of the dangers posed by asbestos, but did not warn you. Your lawyer must show that your employer was aware that asbestos was harmful, and they were negligent in not revealing the information.
The majority of workplaces are required to comply with specific safety standards and regulations when it comes to asbestos. This includes the laws and guidelines put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
There are many jobs that are at a greater risk of exposure risk to asbestos. Miners, asbestos abatement workers, maintenance and custodial employees, 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 has been linked to many diseases, including mesothelioma. This cancer is found mostly in the lung (pleural msothelioma) however it can also affect the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) as well as other organs. It can also affect the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
If an employee is exposed to asbestos, they must be provided with safety equipment in addition to safe working conditions and education. This will help prevent 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 an illness due to asbestos exposure it is essential to consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A mesothelioma attorney can help you obtain compensation from the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure. This may include filing claims through established bankruptcy trusts, as well as making personal injury claims against the manufacturers of asbestos or asbestos-containing products, building owners and more. In certain cases, family members of those who have passed away from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be entitled to damages for wrongful death.
Contact an attorney
If you've recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis, an experienced lawyer is your best resource to get compensation for medical treatment and other costs. You may be able to make a claim for asbestos against the companies who exposed you or a loved ones to this dangerous substance.
Many who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases didn't realize they were exposed to asbestos until years after exposure. This can make it extremely difficult to receive the justice you deserve. An attorney can assist you determine if you are qualified to bring a lawsuit and what damages you need to be seeking.
Asbestos lawyers specialize in bringing large corporations accountable for negligently harming people. They also understand that mesothelioma patients they represent often struggle with complex legal issues like coordinating several doctors and insurance companies.
Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer, is caused by asbestos fibers. It can take decades for symptoms to show up, and many victims are in the last stages of life by the time they are diagnosed. Asbestos companies knew that asbestos was harmful, however they kept this information hidden for decades. This put millions of Americans in danger.
The most popular form of asbestos exposure is at work. Asbestos was used in a variety of industrial and commercial products in the 1930s and 1970s, such as insulation for pipes, fireproofing, cements and plasters as well as automobile brakes. The people who handled these products or touched them were exposed to asbestos fibers. Even family members could be affected by asbestos if workers brought asbestos dust home with them on their clothing.
Construction workers are at the highest risk of exposure to asbestos. They often work on renovations, demolitions and re-building of older structures that have asbestos-containing products. A lot of construction workers have to remove old insulation from buildings which can expose them to asbestos. Some construction companies also failed to take the proper safety measures while working on dangerous sites such as 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 and other general injuries. A mesothelioma lawyer will comprise a team of attorneys and support staff that handle only asbestos-related cases. They will have a vast understanding of asbestos ' history, locations, asbestos-related companies and much more. They can assist victims in determining if they were exposed to asbestos while at work or in other places. They can also help locate the right records and file an asbestos lawsuit against a business which may not exist, and determine if that company has trust funds in place to compensate victims.