An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos-related victims are often affected by conditions like lung cancer and mesothelioma that can take a long time to show symptoms. A skilled New York asbestos lawyer could help those suffering from this debilitating disease receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against the owners of work sites or buildings as well as manufacturers and other parties accountable for exposing workers and customers to this dangerous mineral.
Military Personnel
In all branches of the military, asbestos was used extensively from the 1930s through the 1970s. It was used to add fire resistance as well as heat insulation and tensile strength to vessels, aircrafts, bases and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing substances or were around them are at greater risk of developing cancers, such as mesothelioma. The Navy is the most common cause of asbestos-related illness, but other branches of the military may also be at risk.
Asbestos was a common ingredient on Navy ships as well as in the armored vehicles of the Navy. It was used in boiler rooms and engine room as an insulator, and then woven into ropes on boats. It was even incorporated into 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 as well as lung cancer.
Army veterans are also at risk of mesothelioma due to their exposure this dangerous substance. The Army stopped using asbestos products in the late 1970s, however many Army bases still had asbestos-based materials from the past that were not removed or replaced. While at the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos while working on military vehicles and other equipment, such as brake and electric wiring. The mineral that causes harm was found in the Army's barracks as well as living quarters.
Additionally, soldiers were deployed to places of war and occupied buildings were in the midst of being bombed or burned to the ground. These buildings contained huge quantities of asbestos, which were then destroyed and released into the atmosphere. Veterans inhaled asbestos and suffered severe health effects. A knowledgeable asbestos attorney can help veterans recover financial compensation to pay for medical expenses such as lost wages, home care as well as funeral and burial costs when they have mesothelioma as a diagnosis. A successful claim can also compensate veterans for their families' losses in the event that someone close to them died from mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness. An asbestos attorney could also assist family members in filing a lawsuit against negligent companies that produced and sold the dangerous products.
Industrial Workers
Asbestos was a common substance used in the work of a lot of industrial workers across New York State. This is especially relevant to those who worked on construction projects, shipyards and power plants, textile mills, automotive brakes, and other industries that used asbestos extensively in the 20th century.
Asbestos is commonly used in building materials, such as insulation, fireproofing, and drywall. Asbestos was also used in various consumer products including roofing, flooring, and pipes. Asbest was also employed in many public institutions, such as hospitals, schools and offices. Unfortunately, many of these industries have since closed and the people who were affected are suffering from devastating asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Industrial workers that are the most likely to be exposed include fabricators, mechanics, and welders who work with vehicles and equipment that contain asbestos or are working in older structures that have not undergone an asbestos removal. 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 in many other careers. Additionally, those who have served in the military or in the field of rescue and recovery in the aftermath of natural disasters are at risk of future exposure when they enter damaged structures.
Anyone who has experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure should talk to a New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. The prompt reporting of asbestos legal exposure is crucial, as the statute of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. If asbestos is the cause of disease, this period may be extended as it could take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma or any other diseases to develop.
When someone is diagnosed with a condition like asbestosis or mesothelioma, it can have far-reaching consequences for their loved ones. A New York mesothelioma law firm can assist those who have been diagnosed with the financial compensation they require to support their families and live a life of comfort.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is known to cause cancer and lung diseases, like mesothelioma. Asbestos was widely used in American industries during the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos went beyond those who handled it directly. The tiny asbestos fibers tend to stick to clothing, hair and equipment. Blue-collar workers would bring the dust home on their clothing, in their hair or on their work tools, they unknowingly exposed spouses and children to these dangerous particles. This was known as secondary exposure.
Many people who never worked with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims can bring lawsuits against companies that did not warn of the risks of their products. An experienced lawyer can assist such victims to trace the source of their exposure, and to a defendant who could be held accountable for this carelessness.
Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer as soon as possible if you are diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos. They can help victims obtain compensation to pay medical bills and other expenses. In addition, mesothelioma victims may pursue wrongful death claims against companies who failed to fulfill their obligation to warn consumers about the dangers associated with their products.
Construction workers are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Since the construction industry usually involves demolitions, renovations, and reconstruction of old structures that were containing asbestos materials, these individuals are at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.
Although there is no cure for mesothelioma the symptoms can be treated by taking medications. These drugs can improve the chances of survival and increase the quality of life for the patient. However, these medical treatments are expensive. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws that permit spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers liable for their health issues. To be successful, victims must prove that the defendant's negligence led to their asbestos exposure. This can be a daunting job when mesothelioma or lung cancer, and other diseases have a lengthy latency of 30 years or more.
Homeowners
You could be entitled to compensation if you developed mesothelioma or another lung disease as a result of asbestos settlement exposure. You could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or through filing a personal injury suit against the company who exposed you to asbestos. A New York asbestos lawyer can help you decide the best option for you.
While asbestos is not extracted or processed in the United States anymore, it can still be found in many homes and buildings. It was used for insulation, particularly for older buildings that had to withstand fires and high temperatures. It was also used as a building material to construct pipes, ceilings roofing shingles, siding and roofs. Other asbestos-containing products included paper products, flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. It was also used in automobile friction products (brake clutch, transmission and brake pads) and heat-resistant clothing.
Asbestos fibers can be released into the air when they are disturbed. The agitation of these materials could cause the fibers to adhere to clothing, which poses a risk of secondhand exposure to others. Homeowners who are renovating should be able to have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered, it should be examined by a professional prior to being removed.
Homeowners should not attempt to take samples of materials themselves. Asbestos is a difficult material to test, and trying to collect samples without proper training could lead homeowners and others in the vicinity to take on grave health risks. A qualified professional can advise that asbestos-containing materials be kept to themselves provided they are in good condition and won't be disturbed.
asbestos settlement-related ailments can be severe and painful, but they can be treated. A lawyer experienced in asbestos can assist victims and their families file a claim against negligent employers and building owners as well as product manufacturers. Contact an New York asbestos lawyer today if you or someone close to you has an asbestos-related disease. Our lawyers are ready to review your case for free, and we do not charge unless we collect money for you. Call us today to arrange your free consultation with a lawyer.