Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
From the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos was utilized in a myriad of industrial and commercial products. Asbestos is used in the manufacture of fireproofing, insulation, and cements. It is also used in auto brakes.
People who work or play near these materials face an increased risk of developing serious lung illnesses. Usually, asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma don't get diagnosed until several years after exposure.
Know Where Asbestos Is Located
Until recently, asbestos was used in a variety of building materials. Although it's not used anymore in construction materials, it's still found in a variety of buildings across the country. Asbestos that is in good condition and not disturbed is not a danger. It's crucial that people know where asbestos is located so that they don't touch or disturb it.
Asbestos is commonly found in the flooring and walls around wood-burning stoves, and painted surfaces. Older homes usually have vermiculite insulation that contains asbestos, and could also contain asbestos plaster that has been poured on or sprayed or adhesives. Other asbestos-containing materials include paper, millboard and cement sheets which were used in wall and ceiling drywall.
Asbestos fibers are released into the air when they are disturbed. These fibers can be inhaled and lead to serious health problems, including mesothelioma. It is recommended to employ an expert asbestos removal contractor to do any work that involves removing the asbestos-containing materials.
It is important that homeowners know the distinction between friable and non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos is more likely to cause illness since it can easily release dangerous asbestos particles into the air. Non-friable asbestos, on the other on the other hand, is less of a threat since it stays together and only releases tiny fibres when it's broken or damaged.
Asbestos is often difficult to find and even if it is present, it's difficult to tell if it's in good shape. This is why it's recommended that you leave asbestos-related items alone unless you're planning to do some major renovation or remodel of your home.
You should contact a mesothelioma lawyer immediately if you suspect asbestos in your home. They'll be able to provide you with the steps to take next and determine if you're eligible for compensation from an asbestos trust fund. Asbestos lawyers can help you to file a lawsuit against businesses who have exposed their workers to asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.
Take measures to avoid disturbing asbestos
Asbestos was a component of a variety of industrial and construction products from the 1930s to the 1970s. It was used as insulation for pipes, fireproofing materials such as cements and plasters and also brakes for cars. In fact, nearly every person who worked in a shipyard or building during this time probably touched or handled asbestos. Those who touched or handled asbestos could be exposed to harmful levels for a long time. Some employees even brought home the fibers that were on their clothing which exposed their families to dangers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Fortunately, the United States passed legislation to prohibit the use of asbestos in a variety of ways and, as of today, asbestos poses as much of a threat. However, the asbestos fibers remain in older homes and buildings. Many of these buildings are scheduled for renovation or demolition work, however. This puts the people who are involved in these projects at a significant risk for exposure.
Since asbestos is inaccessible to the naked eye, those working with it might not realize they've come into contact with it until they develop serious health issues. Asbestos symptoms can take years to show up, which is why those involved in construction projects should be aware of their asbestos exposure.
Undamaged asbestos products, like undamaged floor or ceiling tiles, laboratory cabinet tops and siding shingles, do not release asbestos fibers unless they are altered in any way. But if these materials are cut or sawed, drilled or tampered with, they could possibly become airborne and infect the surrounding area.
The effects of water damage, constant vibration or aging can also make asbestos-containing products more porous and lead to them to disintegrate and release asbestos fibers into the air. This is the reason why those renovating or constructing a structure need to be careful and seek advice from an environmental inspection specialist.
Members of the military are also at danger of exposure to asbestos. Due to their frequent travels around the world, they may encounter asbestos-containing buildings that were destroyed by fire, bombs or destroyed. Asbestos can also be found in military vehicles and equipment when they repair or service them. In reality, veterans can be more than 30 times as likely to develop pleural mesothelioma as compared to those who don't participate in the military.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
It is your responsibility, if suspect or know that asbestos is present at your workplace to inform your employer as quickly as you can. You may be able file an asbestos suit against your employer when they knew of the dangers posed by asbestos, but did not warn you. However your lawyer will have to prove a number of elements of this claim, including the fact that your employer was aware that asbestos was dangerous and was negligent in not disclosing the information.
The majority of workplaces must comply with specific safety standards and regulations pertaining to asbestos. There are policies and laws set up by the occupational safety and health Administration(OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Many occupations are known to be at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than others. This includes miners, 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 has been linked to many diseases that include mesothelioma. This cancer is found mostly in the lung (pleural mesothelioma), but it can also affect the stomach (peritoneal msothelioma), and other organs. It can also affect the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
If an employee is exposed to asbestos, they should be provided with protective equipment, as well as safe working conditions and education. This should help prevent accidental exposure to asbestos. In addition employers are required to keep track of employee exposure to medical tests and exposure for a minimum of 30 years.
If you have been diagnosed with a disease due to asbestos exposure it is essential to consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in recovering compensation from the businesses responsible for your exposure. This could include filing claims through bankruptcy trusts and pursuing injury claims against manufacturers of asbestos, products containing asbestos or asbestos-containing products, building owners, and many more. In certain cases, family members of people who have died from mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illnesses are entitled to the wrongful death benefit.
Contact an attorney
If you've been recently diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer or asbestosis, a skilled lawyer is the best option for obtaining compensation to pay for medical treatment and other costs. You may be able to bring an asbestos lawsuit against the companies that exposed you or your loved ones to this harmful substance.
Many who suffer from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases didn't realize they were exposed asbestos until years after exposure. Spokane Valley asbestos attorneys can make it extremely difficult to receive the justice you deserve. Your lawyer can determine if you're eligible to file a lawsuit and the amount of damages you should be seeking.
Asbestos attorneys are experts in holding corporations accountable for their actions that harm people irresponsibly. They also know that the mesothelioma patients they represent struggle with complex legal issues like coordination between multiple doctors and insurance companies.
Mesothelioma, a deadly cancer is caused by asbestos fibers. It takes decades for symptoms to show up and many sufferers are in their final stages of life when they are diagnosed. Asbestos manufacturers were aware that asbestos was harmful, however they kept this information hidden for decades. This put millions of Americans in danger.
The most frequent type of asbestos exposure is during work. From the 1930s to the 1970s asbestos was utilized in many industrial and commercial products, including pipe insulation, fireproofing materials cements, plasters and car brakes. People who touched or handled these products were exposed to asbestos fibers and family members could be affected when workers brought home asbestos dust on their clothes.
Construction workers are most at risk of exposure to asbestos. They are frequently involved in renovations, demolitions and the re-building of older structures that contain asbestos. Many construction workers also have to remove old insulation from buildings which could expose them to asbestos. Additionally, some construction companies did not follow appropriate safety precautions when working on dangerous sites like the World Trade Center following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Asbestos cases are not handled by personal injury lawyers, who typically focus on cases involving motor vehicle accidents and other general injuries. A mesothelioma lawyer will have a team of lawyers and support staff that handle only asbestos-related cases. They will have a deep knowledge of asbestos's location and history and also the companies that employed asbestos. They can help victims determine whether they were exposed to asbestos while at work or other locations. They can also assist in finding the right documents, filing an asbestos lawsuit against businesses that may no longer exist and determining if the companies have trust funds that are available to compensate victims.