Watch This: How Asbestos Exposure Lawyers Is Gaining Ground And What We Can Do About It
Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
Asbestos was utilized in a variety of industrial and commercial products from the 1930s to the 1970s. Asbestos was put into insulation, fireproofing, plaster and cements as well as auto brakes and other automobile parts.
Workers who handle or work near these materials are at a greater chance of developing serious lung diseases. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related ailments are usually not diagnosed until years after exposure.
Know Where Asbestos Is Located
Until recently asbestos was used in hundreds of building materials. While it's no longer common in construction materials, it's still found in a variety of buildings across the country. Asbestos, when in good condition and not disturbed, is not dangerous. It is essential that people are aware of where asbestos is so they don't disturb or touch it.
Asbestos is typically found in flooring and walls around wood-burning stoves as well as paints with textured surfaces. Older homes typically contain vermiculite insulation, which is made up of asbestos, and could also contain asbestos plaster that has been poured on or sprayed or adhesives. Other asbestos-containing products include paper millboard and cement sheets used in wall and roof drywall.
Asbestos fibers are released into the air when they are disturbed. These fibres can then be breathed in and cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma. Hiring an asbestos removal or abatement contractor with experience is a good idea for any work that involves these materials.
Knoxville asbestos attorneys is crucial that homeowners understand the difference between friable asbestos and non-friable asbestos. Asbestos that is friable is more likely to cause illness as it is more likely to release harmful asbestos particles into the air. Non-friable asbestos, however is less risky since it remains intact and only releases tiny fibres when damaged or broken.
Asbestos isn't always easy to spot and even if you are aware of its presence, it's tough to know if it's in good condition. It is generally recommended to leave any asbestos alone, unless you plan to undertake major renovations or remodeling of your home.
If you suspect you have asbestos in your home, seek out an experienced mesothelioma lawyer immediately. They will be able to provide you with the steps to take and determine if you are eligible for compensation from an asbestos trust fund. Asbestos exposure lawyers can aid you in filing a lawsuit against companies who have exposed their employees to mesothelioma, asbestos-related diseases.
Take measures to avoid disturbing asbestos
In the 1930s through the 1970s, asbestos was commonly found in a variety of construction and industrial products including pipe insulation and fireproofing materials, plasters and cements, automotive brakes, and more. In fact, nearly every person who worked in a shipyard, building or construction during this period probably had contact with asbestos. People who handled or touched asbestos could be exposed to harmful levels for a long time. Some employees carried asbestos fibers home with them on their clothing and exposed their family members to lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Fortunately, the United States passed legislation to stop the use of asbestos in many ways and, as of today, does asbestos pose much of a threat. The fibers are still found in older homes and buildings. A lot of these structures are scheduled for demolition or renovation however. This puts those who are involved in these projects at an increased risk of exposure.
As asbestos is invisibly and invisible to the naked eye, workers may not be aware of their exposure to it until they develop serious health problems. These symptoms usually take years to manifest themselves and this is why it's so important for those who are working with any type of construction project to be aware of their exposure to asbestos.
Undamaged asbestos products such as unaltered floor or ceiling tiles and siding shingles won't release asbestos fibres unless they have been manipulated. If the materials are cut, cut, sawed or otherwise disturbed in any way, they could become airborne, contaminating the surrounding area.
The effects of water damage, constant vibration or aging can also make these asbestos-containing materials more fragile and cause them to break down and release asbestos fibers into the air. This is why those who handle or renovating a structure should be aware and seek the advice of an expert in environmental inspection.
Military personnel are also at risk of exposure to asbestos. Because of their frequent travels overseas they might come across asbestos-containing buildings that were bombed, burnt or otherwise destroyed. They could also be exposed to asbestos while they repair or service military vehicles and other equipment. In fact, these veterans can be more than 30 times more likely to develop pleural mesothelioma compared to those who don't have a military service.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
It is your responsibility, if you suspect or are aware that asbestos is present in your workplace, to inform your employer as quickly as you can. If your employer was aware of the dangers associated with asbestos and failed to warn you, you might be eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit against them for negligent false representation. Your lawyer must show that your employer was aware asbestos was harmful and that they were negligent in not revealing the information.
The majority of workplaces are required to adhere to specific safety standards and regulations pertaining to asbestos. This includes the laws and guidelines put in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Certain occupations are believed to have a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than others. These include asbestos abatement workers, custodial and maintenance workers and insulation workers. In addition, people who work in shipyards and at asbestos-contaminated construction sites also face a higher risk of exposure.
Asbestos exposure can trigger a variety of illnesses such as mesothelioma. This type of cancer is seen mostly in the lungs (pleural msothelioma), but it can also affect the stomach (peritoneal msothelioma) and other organs. It can also affect the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
If employees are exposed, they should be provided with protective equipment, safe working conditions, and training. This will help avoid any accidental exposure to the harmful substance. Additionally employers are required to keep track of employee exposure and medical examinations for at least 30 years.
Get in touch with an attorney as quickly as you can if you've been diagnosed with a disease that is related to asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma attorney can help you get compensation from the companies that are responsible for your exposure to asbestos. This could include filing claims with bankruptcy trusts and pursuing injury claims against manufacturers of asbestos or products that contain asbestos as well as building owners and many more. In certain cases, family members of those who have passed away from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be entitled to wrongful death benefits.
Contact an attorney
Whether you have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer or asbestosis, a skilled lawyer is your best resource to obtain compensation for medical treatment and other costs. You may be able to file an asbestos lawsuit against the companies who exposed you or a loved one to this harmful substance.
Many people who suffer from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases didn't know they were exposed to asbestos until years after exposure. This can make it extremely difficult to get the justice you are entitled to. Your attorney will determine if you qualify to file a suit and what damages you should be seeking.
Asbestos lawyers are adept in holding corporations accountable for their actions that harm people irresponsibly. They also know that mesothelioma patients they represent are often confronted with complex legal issues, including coordinating with numerous insurance companies and doctors.
Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer, is caused by asbestos fibers. It takes a long time before symptoms begin to manifest and many sufferers are in the last stages of life when they receive a diagnosis. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was harmful, but they hid this information for a long time, putting millions of Americans at risk.
The most frequent type of asbestos exposure is at work. Asbestos was used in a variety of commercial and industrial products during the 1930s to the 1970s, such as insulation for pipes, fireproofing plasters and cements and car brakes. People who touched or handled these products were exposed to the fibers, and even family members could be affected when workers brought asbestos dust home on their clothing.
Construction workers are at the highest risk for asbestos exposure. They often work on renovations, demolitions and re-building of older structures that contain asbestos-containing products. Many construction workers are also responsible for the removal of old insulation from buildings, which could cause an additional exposure to asbestos. Some construction companies also failed to take the proper precautions to protect themselves while working on dangerous sites like the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Asbestos-related cases are not handled by personal injury lawyers, who typically concentrate on cases that involve motor vehicle accidents as well as other general injuries. A mesothelioma company will have a team consisting of attorneys and support personnel who are only involved in asbestos-related cases. They will have an extensive understanding of asbestos ' history locations, the places, companies that employed asbestos and more, and can help victims determine whether they were exposed to asbestos at work or elsewhere. They can also help locate the correct documents and file an asbestos lawsuit against a company that isn't there and determine if the company has trust funds to compensate victims.