An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos-related victims are often affected by ailments like lung cancer or mesothelioma. These conditions can take decades to show symptoms. A New York asbestos lawyer can help those who suffer from this debilitating condition receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against building or worksite owners as well as manufacturers and other parties who are responsible for exposing workers as well as customers to this dangerous mineral.
Military Personnel
In all branches of the military, asbestos was used extensively from the 1930s to the 1970s. It improved the fire resistance as well as heat insulation and the tensile strength of vessels bases, aircrafts, and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing substances or were around them are more at risk of developing cancers, such as mesothelioma. The Navy is responsible for the greatest number of asbestos-related illnesses, but members of other branches of the military are as well at risk of exposure to this carcinogen.
Asbestos was widely used on Navy ships and armored vehicles. It was utilized in the boiler rooms and engine rooms as an insulator and ropes were made on boats. Even ceiling tiles, bedding and flooring were constructed from asbestos. As these products deteriorated they released asbestos-containing toxic fibres into the atmosphere. Inhaling asbestos dust can lead to serious health complications such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Army veterans also face mesothelioma risks due to their exposure to this deadly substance. The Army ended the use of asbestos-based products in the late 1970s, but many Army bases still had asbestos-based products from the past that were not removed or replaced. While on the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos from working on military vehicles and other equipment, such as electric wiring and brake components. The toxic mineral was also present in the Army’s barracks as well as living quarters.
In addition, soldiers deployed to war zones and occupied buildings that were in process of being bombed or burned to the ground. These sites were contaminated with large amounts of asbestos, which were then destroyed and released into the atmosphere. These veterans inhaled the asbestos and suffered severe health issues. An experienced asbestos attorney could assist veterans to obtain financial compensation to pay for medical expenses including lost wages as well as home treatment, pain and suffering and funeral and burial costs when they have a mesothelioma diagnosis. A successful claim can also be able to compensate veterans for their family’s losses if a loved one died from mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases. A lawyer who specializes in asbestos law could assist family members to sue negligent companies that sold and manufactured asbestos-related products.
Industrial Workers
Asbestos was a popular material that was used in the workplace of many industrial workers throughout New York State. This is especially relevant to those who worked on shipyards, construction sites, and power factories, textile mills, automotive brakes, and other industries that utilized the material heavily during the 20th century.
Asbestos was frequently incorporated into various building materials, such as insulation, fireproof coatings, and drywall. In addition it was used in the production of many consumer products, including roofing, flooring, cement and pipes. Asbest was also utilized in a number of public institutions, including hospitals, schools and offices. Unfortunately the industries have ceased to exist, and many victims now suffer from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Fabricators, mechanics 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 recognized that exposure to these kinds of jobs is greater than in many other careers. In addition, some people who have been in the military or in the field of rescue and recovery following natural disasters are more at risk of exposure in the future if they enter damaged buildings.
Anyone who has experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure should speak to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Reporting suspected asbestos exposure immediately is crucial, as the statutes of limitations for personal injury lawsuits are three years. If asbestos is the cause of disease, this period may be extended as it can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma and other conditions to develop.
When a person is found to have a disease such as mesothelioma, or asbestosis it can have a devastating impact on their family and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma law firm can assist those who have been diagnosed with the financial compensation they require to provide for their families and enjoy a life of peace.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is an extremely dangerous mineral that can cause lung diseases and cancers like mesothelioma. Asbestos was extensively used in American industries in the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos extended beyond those who handled it directly. The asbestos fibers are small enough that they tend to stick to clothing, hair and even equipment. Blue-collar workers were unaware of exposing their spouses and kids to asbestos dust when they brought it home on their hair, clothing or tools from work. This is referred to as secondary exposure.
Many people who have not been exposed to asbestos have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims are able to file lawsuits against companies that did not warn of the risks associated with their products. A knowledgeable attorney can assist such victims to trace the origin of their exposure and to a defendant that may be held responsible for this negligence.
Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer right away when you’re diagnosed with an illness that is related to asbestos. These lawyers can help victims obtain compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma sufferers may pursue wrongful death claims against companies who failed to fulfill their duty to warn about the dangers associated with their products.
For construction workers mesothelioma can be particularly fatal. Since the construction industry usually involves renovations, demolitions and reconstruction of old structures that contain asbestos materials, these individuals are at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.
Although there is no cure for mesothelioma the symptoms can be treated by taking medications. These drugs can improve the quality of life of a patient and increase the odds of survival. These medical treatments can be expensive. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
New Jersey, as well as other states have passed laws that permit spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers responsible for their health issues. In order to succeed in bringing these lawsuits, victims must demonstrate that the defendant’s negligence was responsible for exposure to asbestos. This can be a difficult task since mesothelioma as well as lung cancer have a time-to-latency that can last up to 30 years.
Homeowners
You may be entitled to compensation if you developed mesothelioma or another lung disease due to asbestos exposure. You could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or through filing an individual injury lawsuit against the company who exposed you to asbestos lawsuit. An experienced New York asbestos case attorney can help you determine the best method to pursue.
Although asbestos isn’t mined or processed in the United States anymore, it is still present in a variety of homes and buildings. It was used as insulation, particularly in older buildings that required to withstand high temperatures and fires. It was also used as a building material for pipes, ceilings, roof shingles and siding. Other asbestos-containing products included flooring products, paper products felt and fake fireplace embers. It was also used in automobile friction products (brake, clutch and transmission pads) and heat-resistant clothing.
Asbestos fibers can release into the air when these materials are disturbed. Disturbing these materials can also cause the fibers to adhere to clothing, which poses the possibility of exposure to other people. Homeowners who are renovating their properties should have their homes examined for asbestos. If asbestos is found and tested, it should be removed before removal by a professional.
Homeowners should never try to take samples of materials themselves. Asbestos is an extremely difficult material to test, and trying to take samples without proper education could expose homeowners and others living in the vicinity to dangerous health hazards. If the asbestos-containing material is in good shape and is not disturbed, a professional who is trained can recommend that it is left to its own devices.
Asbestos-related ailments can be extremely painful and dangerous, however they can be treated. A knowledgeable asbestos lawyer can help victims and their families by filing claims for compensation against negligent building owners, employers and product manufacturers. If you or someone you know suffers from an asbestos-related condition, speak with an experienced New York asbestos attorney today. Our lawyers are available to review your case for free, and we do not get paid unless we get money back for you. Call us now to schedule your free consultation.