An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos victims often suffer from ailments like lung cancer or mesothelioma, which can take a long time to show symptoms. A skilled New York asbestos lawyer could help those suffering from this devastating disease receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney could file an asbestos lawsuit against building or worksite owners, manufacturers and others accountable for exposing workers and consumers to this deadly mineral.
Military Personnel
In all branches of the military, asbestos claim was employed extensively from the 1930s until the 1970s. It increased the fire resistance, heat insulation, and the tensile strength of vessels bases, aircrafts and vehicles. Veterans of the military who have worked with or around asbestos-rich materials are at an increased chance of developing mesothelioma as well as other cancers. The Navy is the one responsible for the most asbestos-related illnesses, but members of other branches of the military are also at risk of being exposed to this carcinogen.
Asbestos was a common ingredient on Navy ships as well as in the Navy’s armored vehicles. It was used in the boiler rooms and engine room as an insulator, and then ropes were woven on boats. Even the bedding, ceiling tiles and flooring were made from asbestos. As the products degraded, they released toxic asbestos fibers into the air. When asbestos dust is inhaled it could cause serious health issues including mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Army veterans are also at risk of developing mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos. The Army ended the use of asbestos-based products in the late 1970s, but many Army bases still had asbestos-based materials from the past that were not replaced or removed. During their time 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 harmful mineral was also present in the barracks and living areas of the Army.
They also occupied structures in areas of war that were being bombarded or burned down. These buildings contained huge quantities of asbestos, which were then destroyed and released into the air. Veterans inhaled asbestos and suffered serious health effects. If the veteran is diagnosed with mesothelioma an asbestos lawyer can help the veteran recover financial compensation for medical expenses as well as lost income, home care, suffering, funeral and burial costs, and pain and discomfort. Veterans could also be compensated for the losses of their families in the event that someone close to them died from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. An asbestos attorney could also assist family members in filing an action against negligent companies that produced and sold the hazardous 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 plants, textile mills, automotive brakes, and other industries that utilized the material heavily during the 20th century.
Asbestos was frequently included in various building materials, such as insulation, fireproof coatings and drywall. In addition it was used to make a wide variety of consumer products, including roofing, flooring and pipes. Many public establishments also used asbestos, including schools, offices, hospitals and sewage treatment plants. Unfortunately the industries have ceased to exist, and many victims now suffer from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Industrial workers most at risk of being exposed include fabricators, mechanics and welders, who work with vehicles and equipment that contained asbestos or work in older buildings that haven’t been subjected to asbestos removal. 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 susceptible for exposure than many other careers. Some people who have served in the military or in the relief and recovery efforts following natural disasters, are also at risk for future exposure when they enter damaged building.
Anyone who has experienced the symptoms of asbestos exposure in the past should consult a New York Mesothelioma Lawyer immediately. The prompt reporting of asbestos exposure is vital, as the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. In the case of asbestos-related disease, this time frame can be extended since it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma and other conditions to develop.
When a person is found to have a disease such as asbestosis or mesothelioma, it can have a profound impact on their family and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can help patients diagnosed with the disease to receive the financial compensation they need to support their families.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is a highly dangerous mineral that can lead to lung cancer and lung diseases like mesothelioma. When asbestos was widely used in American industries in the 20th century, the dangers went beyond people who handled the material. The tiny asbestos fibers tend to cling to clothes hair, equipment and clothing. Blue-collar workers would bring the dust home with them on their clothing or hair, or on their work tools they did not realize that they exposed their spouses and children to the hazardous particles. This was referred to as secondary exposure.
Many people who never worked with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. They can bring lawsuits against companies that failed to warn about the dangers of their products. An experienced lawyer can assist those who suffer from this condition to identify the origin of their exposure and to a defendant that may be held accountable for their negligence.
When a person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease it is crucial to consult an asbestos exposure attorney immediately. These attorneys can help victims to discover compensation sources to pay for medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also pursue the case of wrongful death against businesses who failed to warn of the risks their products could cause.
Construction workers are at a greater chance of developing mesothelioma. Construction workers are at risk for asbestos-related illnesses because they often remodel, demolish and reconstruct old structures that contain asbestos-containing materials.
There is no cure for Mesothelioma. However, you can treat the symptoms by taking medications. These drugs can improve the chances of survival and enhance the quality of life of the patient. These medical treatments can be expensive. 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, the victims must prove that the defendant’s negligence contributed to their exposure to asbestos. This can be a daunting job when mesothelioma or lung cancer, and other diseases have a lengthy latency of 30 years or more.
Homeowners
If you have developed a lung disease like mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos, you could have a claim for compensation. You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the company that exposed you to asbestos or you may be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. A New York asbestos lawyer can help you decide the best option for you.
Although asbestos isn’t extracted or processed in the United States anymore, it is still present in many homes and buildings. It was used in insulation, particularly for older buildings that had to withstand fires and high temperatures. It was also used as a building material for pipes, ceilings roof shingles, siding, and ceilings. Other asbestos-containing products included paper products, 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 these materials are disturbed. The fibers may also adhere to clothing, increasing the risk of exposure to second-hand. Homeowners who are remodeling their homes should have their properties inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered, it should be checked by a certified professional prior to being removed.
Homeowners should not attempt to collect samples of the materials themselves. Asbestos testing can be a difficult procedure, and taking samples without proper training can cause health hazards for the homeowner and anyone else in the area. If the asbestos-containing material is in good health and will not be disturbed, a certified professional can advise that it be left alone.
Asbestos-related diseases can be very serious and painful, but they are treatable. A lawyer experienced in asbestos can help the victims and their families file a lawsuit against negligent employers and building owners as well as product manufacturers. If you or someone you love suffers from an asbestos-related condition, speak with a compassionate New York asbestos attorney today. Our attorneys will review your case for free, and we won’t be paid unless you receive money. Contact us today to set up your free consultation with a lawyer.