An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos-related victims are often affected by diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma that can take a long time to show symptoms. A New York asbestos lawyer can help those who suffer from this debilitating disease get compensation for their losses.
An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation - extra resources, against the owners of work sites or buildings as well as manufacturers and other parties accountable for exposing workers and consumers to the deadly mineral.
Military Personnel
In all branches of the military, asbestos was employed extensively from the 1930s through the 1970s. It increased the resistance to fire as well as heat insulation and tensile strengths of vessels, aircrafts, bases and vehicles. Military veterans who worked in or around asbestos-rich materials are at an increased chance of developing mesothelioma as well as other cancers. The Navy is the most frequent cause of asbestos-related illness but other branches of the military may be as well.
Asbestos was prevalent on Navy ships as well as in the armored vehicles of the Navy. It was used in boiler rooms and engine room to act as an insulation and was woven into ropes on boats. Even ceiling tiles, bedding and flooring were made from asbestos. As these products deteriorated they released toxic asbestos fibres into the atmosphere. Inhaling asbestos dust could cause serious health issues such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Army veterans also have mesothelioma risk because of their exposure to this dangerous substance. The Army stopped using asbestos products in the late 1970s, but many Army bases still had asbestos-based materials from decades ago that were not replaced or removed. Army personnel were exposed to asbestos while on base when they worked on military vehicles and other equipment such as brake components and electrical wiring. The toxic mineral was also found in the Army's barracks as well as living quarters.
Additionally, soldiers were sent to areas of war and buildings that were in the middle of being destroyed by bombs or burned to the ground. These buildings typically contained large amounts of asbestos, which were then burned and then released into the air. As a result of inhaling asbestos, the veterans experienced serious health problems. If an individual is diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos lawyer can help them recover financial compensation for medical expenses as well as lost income and home care, pain, funeral and burial costs, and discomfort and pain. Veterans may also be compensated for the losses of their families if a loved died from mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease. An asbestos attorney could also assist family members to file a lawsuit against negligent companies who manufactured and sold the dangerous products.
Industrial Workers
Asbestos was a typical substance used in the work of many industrial workers throughout New York State. This is especially relevant for those who worked in shipyards, construction projects power plants, textile mills and automotive brakes.
Asbestos was frequently incorporated into various building materials, including fireproof coatings, insulation and drywall. Asbestos was also used in a variety of consumer goods, such as roofing, flooring and pipes. Many public institutions also employed asbestos, like hospitals, schools, offices and sewage treatment facilities. Unfortunately, these industries have closed, and many victims now suffer from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Industrial workers who are most likely to be exposed include fabricators, mechanics and welders who work on vehicles and equipment that contained asbestos, or who work in older buildings that have not undergone an asbestos abatement. 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 recognized that these types of jobs are more at risk for exposure than many other professions. Some people who have been in the military, or in the rescue and recovery efforts after natural disasters, are at risk of being exposed when they go into damaged buildings.
Anyone who has recently experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure should speak to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Notifying asbestos exposure experts immediately is crucial, as the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. In the case of asbestos-related disease, this period can be extended since it could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma and other diseases 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 help those diagnosed get the financial compensation they need to provide for their families and live a comfortable life.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is known to cause cancer and lung diseases, 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 fibers that make up asbestos tend to cling to clothes hair, clothing and other equipment. When blue-collar workers carried the dust home on their clothing, in their hair or on the tools they used at work and did not know it, they exposed their spouses and children to the hazardous particles. This was known as secondary exposure.
Many people who never worked with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims are able to bring lawsuits against companies that failed to warn of the risks associated with their products. An experienced attorney can help such victims to trace the origin of their exposure and to a defendant that may be held accountable for their carelessness.
Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer right away If you've been diagnosed with a condition related to asbestos. These attorneys can help victims discover compensation sources to cover medical expenses and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also file claims for wrongful death against companies that failed to warn consumers of the dangers their products could pose.
For workers in the construction industry mesothelioma is particularly fatal. Construction workers are at risk for asbestos-related illnesses since they typically renovate, demolish or rebuild old structures that contain asbestos materials.
There is no cure for mesothelioma, the symptoms can be controlled with medications. These medications can improve the quality of life for a victim and increase the likelihood of survival. However, these treatments are 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 accountable for their ailments. To be successful, victims must prove that negligence by the defendant led to their exposure to asbestos. This is a daunting task when mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases have a long latency of 30 years or more.
Homeowners
If you've contracted mesothelioma, a lung disease, because of exposure to asbestos lawsuit, you may have a claim for compensation. You could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust funds claim or an injury lawsuit against the company who exposed you to asbestos. An experienced New York asbestos attorney can help you determine the best method to pursue.
Although asbestos isn't extracted or processed in the United States anymore, it can still be found in many buildings and homes. It was used in insulation, particularly for older buildings that had to withstand fires as well as high temperatures. It also was used as a building material in pipes, ceilings, roof shingles and siding. Other asbestos-containing products included flooring, paper products, felt and fake fireplace embers. It was also used in automobile friction products (brake clutch, transmission and brake pads) and in heat-resistant clothing.
Asbestos fibers can be released into the air when these materials are disturbed. The fibers may also adhere to clothing, increasing the risk of second-hand exposure. Homeowners who are constructing their homes should have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered, it should be examined by a professional prior to being removed.
Homeowners should never attempt to collect samples of materials themselves. Asbestos testing can be a difficult procedure, and taking samples without proper instruction could result in health risks for the homeowner and any other person in the area. A trained professional can advise that asbestos-containing materials should be left alone provided they are in good condition and won't be disturbed.
Asbestos-related ailments can be extremely painful and dangerous, however they can be treated. An asbestos lawyer who has experience can help victims and their families file a lawsuit against negligent employers and building owners and also the manufacturers of products. If you or someone you love has an asbestos-related illness, contact an experienced New York asbestos settlement attorney today. Our lawyers are ready to review your case for no cost, and we do not receive any compensation unless we collect money for you. Call us now to schedule your free consultation.