An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos sufferers often suffer from diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma. These conditions can take years to manifest symptoms. A New York asbestos lawyer can help those who suffer from this debilitating disease receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against owners of buildings or worksites and manufacturers, as well as other individuals responsible for exposing workers and consumers to this deadly mineral.
Military Personnel
From the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos was extensively used throughout the military. It enhanced the fire resistance as well as the heat insulation the tensile strength of vessels, aircrafts, bases, and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing materials or were in their vicinity are at a higher risk of developing cancers, such as mesothelioma. The Navy is the most frequently reported cause of asbestos-related illnesses, but other branches of the military may also be at risk.
Asbestos was extensively used on Navy ships and armored vehicles. It was used in the boiler rooms and engine rooms as an insulator and ropes were made on boats. It was also used to make flooring, bedding, and ceiling tiles. As these materials degraded, they released toxic asbestos fibers into the air. When asbestos dust is breathed in, it can cause serious health complications, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Army veterans also face mesothelioma risks because of their exposure to the deadly substance. The Army stopped using asbestos products in the late 1970s, however many Army bases still had asbestos-based products from decades ago that were not removed or replaced. When they were at the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos through their work on military vehicles and other equipment, such as electric wiring and brake components. The mineral that causes harm was present in the Army’s barracks and living quarters.
The soldiers also occupied buildings in areas of war that were being bombed, or burning 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 them obtain financial compensation for medical expenses loss of income, home care, suffering funeral and burial expenses, and discomfort and pain. Veterans may also be compensated for the losses of their families in the event that a loved died from mesothelioma, or a different asbestos-related disease. A lawyer who specializes in asbestos law could help family members sue negligent companies that sold and produced asbestos-related products.
Industrial Workers
Many industrial workers across New York State were exposed to asbestos during the course of their work. This is particularly true for those who worked on shipyards, construction sites, and power plants, textile mills automotive brakes, and other industries that utilized asbestos extensively in the 20th century.
Asbestos was commonly used in various building materials, like insulation, fireproof coatings, and drywall. Asbestos was also utilized in various consumer goods like roofing, flooring and pipes. Asbest was also used in a number of public institutions, such as hospitals, schools and offices. Unfortunately most of these industries have been shut down, and the victims are suffering from devastating asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
Fabricators, mechanics and welders who deal with equipment and vehicles that contain asbestos or who work in older buildings that do not have 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. In addition, some people who have been in the military or in the rescue and recovery efforts after natural disasters are more at risk of being exposed in the future when they enter damaged structures.
Anyone who has recently experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure should speak to a New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Notifying asbestos claim exposure experts immediately is essential, since the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. However, in the case of asbestos-related diseases, this time is usually extended since it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma and other diseases to develop.
If a person is diagnosed with a condition such as mesothelioma or asbestosis and asbestosis, it can have profound consequences for their loved ones. A New York mesothelioma law firm can help those diagnosed get the financial compensation they require to provide for their families and live a life of comfort.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is a highly hazardous mineral that could cause lung diseases and cancer like mesothelioma. Asbestos was used extensively in American industries during the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos extended beyond those who handled it directly. The minuscule asbestos fibers tend to stick to clothing hair, equipment and clothing. When blue-collar workers brought the dust home on their clothes, in their hair or on tools from work they did not realize that they exposed their spouses and children to these hazardous particles. This was referred to as secondary exposure.
In the end, many people who have never worked with asbestos in the workplace are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims are able to file lawsuits against companies that failed to warn about the risks associated with their products. A knowledgeable attorney can assist these victims trace the origin of their exposure and to a defendant who could be held responsible for this negligence.
When a person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition, it is important to contact an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately. These attorneys can help victims to locate compensation sources to pay for medical bills and other expenses. In addition, mesothelioma victims may pursue wrongful death claims against companies who failed to fulfill their obligation to warn of the dangers associated with their products.
For workers in the construction industry mesothelioma can be particularly dangerous. Construction workers are more susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because they often renovate, demolish or rebuild old structures that contain asbestos materials.
Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, the symptoms can be treated with medications. These medications can improve the quality of life of a patient and increase the likelihood of survival. These treatments can be expensive. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws allowing spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers accountable for their illnesses. In order to be successful in such claims, victims must prove that the defendant’s negligence led to the exposure to asbestos. This can be a difficult job, since mesothelioma and lung cancer have a latency period of up to 30 years.
Homeowners
If you have developed mesothelioma, a lung disease, 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 a personal injury suit against the business that exposed you to asbestos. A New York asbestos lawyer can help you decide the best course of action.
While asbestos is not mined or processed in the United States anymore, it can still be found in a variety of homes and buildings. It was used in insulation, especially for older buildings that had to withstand fires and high temperatures. It also was used as a building material in pipes, ceilings roofing shingles, siding and roofs. 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 clothing that was heat-resistant.
Asbestos fibers can be released into the air when these materials are disturbed. They can also stick to clothing, increasing the possibility of exposure to second-hand asbestos. Homeowners who are renovating their properties should have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered to be present, it must be examined by a professional prior to being removed.
Homeowners should never attempt to take samples of the materials themselves. Asbestos is a complex material to test, and attempting to take samples without proper training could lead homeowners and others living in the vicinity into dangerous health hazards. A trained professional can advise that asbestos-containing materials be left alone if they are in good shape and won’t be disturbed.
Asbestos-related diseases can be very painful and abrasive, but they are treatable. A knowledgeable asbestos lawyer can help victims and their families by filing an action for compensation against negligent building owners, employers and product manufacturers. Contact an New York asbestos lawyer today in the event that you or someone close to you has an asbestos-related disease. Our lawyers will review your case at no cost, and we won’t be paid unless you receive a payment. Call us today to arrange your complimentary legal consultation.