An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos victims can suffer from lung cancer or mesothelioma. These diseases can not be detected for years. A New York asbestos lawyer can assist those suffering from this debilitating illness receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against building or worksite owners and manufacturers, as well as other individuals responsible for exposing workers and consumers to the deadly mineral.
Military Personnel
From the 1930s through the 1970s, asbestos was widely used in all branches of the military. It was used to add the ability to resist fire, heat insulation and the strength of tensile to vessels, aircraft, bases 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 the most frequently reported cause of asbestos-related illnesses, but other branches of the military may also be at risk.
Asbestos was widely used on Navy vessels and armored vehicles. It was woven into ropes of boats, and used as an insulation in boiler rooms and engine rooms. Even the bedding, ceiling tiles and flooring were constructed from asbestos. When these products degraded, they released toxic asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust could cause serious health issues such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Army veterans are also at risk of mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos. The Army stopped using asbestos products in the late 1970s, however many Army bases still had asbestos-based materials from decades ago that were not removed or replaced. Army personnel were exposed asbestos during their stay on the base, when they worked on military vehicles and other equipment such as brake components and electric wiring. The toxic mineral was present in the living areas and barracks of the Army.
Soldiers also occupied buildings in war zones that were being bombed, or burning down. These sites were often filled with large quantities of asbestos that were destroyed and then released into the air. These veterans inhaled the asbestos and suffered serious health issues. If a veteran is diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos lawyer can help them obtain financial compensation for medical expenses loss of income and home care, pain funeral and burial costs as well as pain and discomfort. Veterans could also be compensated for the losses of their families if they lost a loved one to mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease. An asbestos attorney could also help family members file an action against negligent companies who manufactured and sold the hazardous products.
Industrial Workers
Asbestos was a typical substance used in the work of many industrial workers throughout New York State. This is especially the case for those working on shipyards, construction sites, and power factories, textile mills, automotive brakes, and other industries that utilized asbestos extensively in the 20th century.
Asbestos is often used in building materials such as insulation, fireproofing, as well as drywall. In addition it was used to manufacture various consumer products, such as roofing, flooring cement, pipes and even cement. Asbest was also utilized in a variety of public institutions, including hospitals, schools, and offices. Unfortunately most of these industries have been closed and the people who were affected are suffering from devastating asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Industrial workers most at risk of being exposed include mechanics, fabricators and welders who work with equipment and vehicles that have asbestos or are working in older buildings that have not been subjected to 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 acknowledged that these kinds of jobs are more at risk for exposure than many other careers. Additionally, those who have worked in the military or participated in the rescue and recovery efforts after natural disasters are at risk of exposure in the future if they enter damaged structures.
Anyone who has had symptoms of asbestos exposure in the past should seek out a New York Mesothelioma Lawyer immediately. It is essential to report suspected exposure right immediately, as the time limit for most personal injury claims is three years following an incident. However in the case of asbestos-related illnesses, this time period is often extended as it could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma or other diseases to develop.
If someone is found to have a disease such as mesothelioma, or asbestosis 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 known to cause cancer and lung diseases, like mesothelioma. When asbestos was extensively used in American industries during the 20th century, the dangers extended far beyond the workers who handled the substance. The minuscule asbestos fibers tend to stick to clothing hair, clothing and other equipment. When blue-collar workers carried the dust home with them on their clothes or hair, or on tools from work they did not realize that they exposed their spouses and children to the hazardous particles. This is known as secondary exposure.
Many people who have not worked with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. They can bring lawsuits against companies that failed warn about the risks of their products. An experienced attorney can assist victims in tracing the cause of their exposure, and locating an individual who could be held accountable for this error.
If a person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition it is crucial to speak with an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately. They can assist victims to find sources of compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also pursue wrongful death lawsuits against companies who did not warn of the dangers their products posed.
For construction workers mesothelioma is particularly dangerous. Construction workers are at risk of asbestos-related illnesses since they typically remodel, demolish and reconstruct old structures that are made of asbestos materials.
While there is no cure for mesothelioma the symptoms can be treated with medications. These medications can increase the likelihood of survival and increase the quality of life for a victim. These medical treatments can be expensive. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws that allow spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers liable for their illnesses. To be successful, the victims must show 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 developed a lung disease like mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos, you may have a claim for compensation. You could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or by filing an injury lawsuit against the business that exposed you to asbestos. A seasoned New York asbestos attorney can assist you in determining the best way to proceed.
Although asbestos isn’t extracted or processed in the United States anymore, it can still be found in a variety of homes and buildings. It was used as insulation, particularly for older buildings that needed to withstand fires and high temperatures. It was also used as a building material in ceilings, pipes roofing shingles, siding and roofs. Other asbestos-containing items included paper products, flooring 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, asbestos fibers that are airborne may be released. These fibers can also cling to clothing, posing the risk of second-hand exposure. Homeowners who are remodeling their homes must have their homes checked for asbestos. If any material is found and examined by a professional prior to being removed.
Homeowners should never try to take samples of the materials themselves. Asbestos testing is a complex procedure, and taking samples without proper instruction could lead to health risks for the homeowner and anyone else in the area. A trained professional can advise that asbestos-containing materials should be kept in place if they are in good shape and won’t be disturbed.
Asbestos-related diseases can be very serious and painful, but they are treatable. A lawyer experienced in asbestos can help victims and their families file a lawsuit against negligent building owners and employers as well as the manufacturers of products. Contact an New York asbestos lawyer today if you or someone near suffers from an asbestos-related illness. Our lawyers will review your case free of charge, and we won’t be paid unless you are paid. Call us today to arrange your free consultation with a lawyer.
