An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos-related victims may suffer from mesothelioma and lung cancer. These conditions may not show symptoms for a long time. An experienced New York asbestos lawyer could aid those suffering from this debilitating disease receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney could make a claim for
asbestos compensation against owners of buildings or worksites, manufacturers and others responsible for exposing workers and customers to this dangerous mineral.
Military Personnel
All branches of the military, asbestos was used extensively from the 1930s until the 1970s. It improved the resistance to fire as well as heat insulation and tensile strengths of vessels, aircrafts, bases and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing materials or who were in close proximity to them are more at chance of developing cancers such as mesothelioma. The Navy is the most common cause of asbestos-related illness but other branches of the military may also be at risk.
Asbestos was prevalent on Navy ships as well as in the Navy's armored vehicles. It was woven into the ropes of boats and used as an insulation in engines and boiler rooms. It was even used in flooring, bedding and ceiling tiles. As the products degraded, they released asbestos-based toxic fibres into the atmosphere. Inhaling asbestos dust can cause serious health problems such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Army veterans are also at risk of developing mesothelioma due to their exposure asbestos. While the Army has stopped using
asbestos legal-based products in the latter part of the 1970s, a lot of Army bases were still stocked with years of asbestos-based products that weren't removed or replaced. Army personnel were exposed to asbestos while on base when they worked on military vehicles and other equipment such as brake components and electric wiring. The toxic mineral was present in the barracks and living areas of the Army.
They also occupied structures in war zones that were being bombed, or burning down. These sites typically contained large amounts of asbestos that were burned and then released into the air. Inhaling asbestos, these veterans experienced serious health problems. If an individual is diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos lawyer can help them obtain financial compensation for medical expenses loss of income as well as home care, suffering funeral and burial costs, and pain and discomfort. Veterans could also be compensated for the losses of their families if someone close to them died from mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness. An asbestos attorney could also assist family members in filing an action against negligent companies that manufactured and sold dangerous asbestos-related products.
Industrial Workers
Asbestos was a common substance used in the work of a lot of industrial workers across New York State. This is especially true for those who have worked in construction projects, shipyards, textile mills, power plants and automotive brakes.
Asbestos was often included in various building materials, including fireproof coatings, insulation and drywall. Additionally it was used to manufacture a wide variety of consumer products, including flooring, roofing and pipes. A lot of public institutions also utilized asbestos, including hospitals, schools, offices and sewage treatment plants. Unfortunately, many of these industries have since shut down and the victims are now suffering from a variety of devastating asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma asbestosis and lung cancer.
Fabricators, mechanics and welders who deal with vehicles and equipment containing asbestos or 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.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has acknowledged that these kinds of jobs are more prone for exposure than many other careers. Some individuals who have served in the military, or in recovery and rescue efforts following natural disasters are at risk of being exposed when they go into damaged buildings.
Anyone who has recently experienced symptoms of
asbestos case exposure should talk to a New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. It is important to report any suspected exposure away, as the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years after an incident. If asbestos is the cause of disease, this time frame can be extended since it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma and other conditions to develop.
If a person is discovered to have a condition like asbestosis or mesothelioma it can have a profound impact on their family and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can help those diagnosed to get the financial compensation required to provide for their families.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is a very dangerous mineral that can lead to lung diseases and cancer like mesothelioma. Asbestos was used extensively in American industries during the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos went beyond those who handled it directly. The tiny fibers that make up asbestos tend to stick to clothing hair, equipment and clothing. When blue-collar workers carried the dust home with them on their clothes and hair or on their work tools, they unknowingly exposed spouses and children to the hazardous particles. This is known as secondary exposure.
This has led to a large number of people who were never exposed to asbestos in their work environments are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The victims may bring lawsuits against companies that failed to warn about the dangers associated with their products. An experienced attorney can help these victims trace the source of their exposure and to a defendant who could be held accountable for this negligence.
When a person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition it is crucial to contact an asbestos exposure lawyer right away. They can assist victims to discover compensation sources to cover medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also file the case of wrongful death against businesses who failed to warn of the risks their products could pose.
For those working in construction, mesothelioma can be especially fatal. Construction workers are at risk for asbestos-related illnesses because they often remodel, demolish and reconstruct old structures that contain asbestos-containing materials.
While there is no cure for mesothelioma, the symptoms can be controlled with medication. These medications can increase the chance of survival and enhance the quality of life for the patient. However, these medical treatments can be costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws that permit spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers liable for their ailments. To be successful, victims must show that the defendant's negligence led to their asbestos exposure. This can be a difficult task, as mesothelioma and lung cancer have a time-to-latency of up to 30 years.
Homeowners
If you have developed a lung disease like mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos, you may have a claim for compensation. You could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust funds claim or through filing an injury lawsuit against the company that exposed you to asbestos. A New York asbestos lawyer can help you determine the best way to proceed.
Although asbestos is no longer mined or processed in the United States, it can be found in a variety of homes and buildings. It was used for insulation, particularly in older buildings that needed to withstand extreme temperatures and fires. It was also used as a building material in ceilings, pipes roof shingles, siding, and ceilings. Other asbestos-containing products included flooring products, paper products felt, and fake fireplace embers. Asbestos was also used create friction products for automobiles (brake transmission, clutch and brake pads) and heat resistant clothing.
When these materials are disturbed, airborne asbestos fibers may be released. The agitation of these materials could cause the fibers to cling to clothes, posing a risk of secondhand exposure to other people. Homeowners who are remodeling their homes should be able to have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered, it should be tested before removal by a professional.
Homeowners should never try to collect samples of materials themselves. Asbestos is an extremely difficult material to test, and attempting to collect samples without proper education could expose homeowners and others in the vicinity to take on dangerous health hazards. If the asbestos-containing material is in good condition and is not disturbed, a professional who is trained can recommend that it be left in its place.
Asbestos-related diseases can be severe and painful, but they can be treated. An experienced
asbestos claim lawyer can help victims and their families with filing an action for compensation against negligent builders as well as employers and product manufacturers. Contact a New York asbestos lawyer today should you or someone close to suffers from an asbestos-related illness. Our lawyers will review your case at no cost and won't be paid unless you receive a payment. Call us now to schedule your free consultation.