Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
From the 1930s to the 1970s, asbestos was utilized in countless commercial and industrial products. Asbestos is used in insulation, fireproofing and plaster and cements. It is also used in auto brakes.
Workers who work or handle near these materials are at a greater risk of developing serious lung diseases. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are typically not recognized until several years after exposure.
Know Where to Find Asbestos
Asbestos was commonly used in building products until recently. Although it's no longer used in construction materials, it's still present in many buildings across the country. Asbestos isn't a danger if it's in good health and isn't disturbed. It's crucial that people know where asbestos is, so they don't contaminate or touch it.
Asbestos is most commonly found in flooring, walls surrounding wood-burning stoves and painted surfaces. Older homes often contain vermiculite insulation which contains asbestos, and can also contain asbestos plaster that has been poured on or sprayed or adhesives. Other asbestos-containing products include millboard, paper and cement sheets which were used in wall and ceiling drywall.
Asbestos fibers are released into air when these materials are disturbed. The fibers are then inhaled and can cause serious health issues like mesothelioma. It is advisable to hire an expert asbestos removal contractor to handle any work that involves removing these materials.
It is essential that homeowners understand the difference between non-friable and friable asbestos. Asbestos that is friable can cause illness more easily because it can release harmful asbestos particles in the air. Non-friable asbestos, however is less risky because it is unbroken and only releases tiny fibres when damaged or broken.
Asbestos isn't easy to identify and even if you are aware of its presence, it's tough to know if it's in good condition. It is generally advised to leave any asbestos alone unless you intend to do major remodels or renovations to your home.
It is recommended to contact mesothelioma lawyers immediately if you suspect asbestos in your home. They can advise you on the next steps to take and determine if compensation is available from an asbestos trust. Asbestos exposure lawyers can assist you in filing an asbestos lawsuit against companies that exposed their workers to mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses.
Take Measures Not to Disturb Asbestos
Asbestos was a component of various industrial and construction products from the 1930s through the 1970s. It was used as insulation for pipes, fireproofing materials, plasters and cements as well as automotive brakes. In fact, virtually anyone working in a construction site or shipyard during this period probably handled or touched asbestos at one time or another. People who handled or touched asbestos could be exposed to dangerous levels for years. Some employees carried asbestos-containing fibers home with them on their clothing and exposed their families to lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Fortunately, the United States passed legislation to prohibit the use of asbestos in a variety of ways and today, no longer asbestos poses as any threat. However, the asbestos fibers are still present in older homes and buildings. Many of these buildings are scheduled for demolition or renovation, however. This puts the people involved in these projects at a significant risk of exposure.
Since asbestos is inaccessible to the naked eye, people may not know they have come into contact with it until they experience serious health problems. Asbestos symptoms can take many years to show up, which is why those working on construction projects must be aware of the asbestos exposure they are exposed to.
Undamaged asbestos products, such as flooring or ceiling tiles that are not damaged or laboratory cabinet tops, as well as siding shingles, do not release asbestos fibers unless they are manipulated in a way. If they are cut or sawed, drilled, or manipulated, they could possibly become airborne and infect the surrounding area.
The effects of water damage, constant vibration, or aging may make these asbestos-containing materials more fragile and cause them to break down and release the asbestos fibers into the air. This is why those who handle or renovating a building should be aware and seek the advice of an expert in environmental inspection.
Military personnel are also at risk of exposure to asbestos. Due to their frequent travels to overseas places, they could encounter asbestos-containing structures destroyed by fire, bombs or destroyed. They can also be exposed to asbestos when they are servicing or repairing military vehicles and equipment. In fact, these veterans could be more than 30 times more likely to develop pleural cancer compared to those who don't serve in the military.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
It is your responsibility, if you suspect or know that asbestos is present at your workplace, to inform your employer as soon asbestos lawyer arkansas as you can. You may be able file an asbestos lawsuit against your employer if they were aware of the dangers posed by asbestos, but did not warn you. Your lawyer will have to demonstrate that your employer knew asbestos was dangerous, and that they were negligent in not disclosing the information.
The majority of workplaces are required to adhere to specific safety standards and regulations when it comes to asbestos. There are policies and laws that are set by the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.
There are a variety of occupations that are at a greater risk of exposure risk to asbestos. Miners, asbestos abatement, maintenance and custodial employees, and insulation workers are all at risk. In addition, people who work in shipyards and at asbestos-contaminated construction sites also face a higher risk of exposure.
Asbestos exposure can cause many diseases which include mesothelioma. The cancer is most commonly in the lung (pleural msothelioma), but it can also affect the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma), and other organs. It can also affect the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
When an employee is exposed to asbestos, he or she should be provided with a protective equipment and also safe working conditions and education. This should help to prevent any accidental exposure to the harmful substance. Employers are also required to keep track of worker exposure and medical examinations for at least 30 years.
If you have been diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos exposure, it is essential to consult an experienced attorney right away. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in recovering compensation from the companies responsible for your exposure. This may involve filing claims with bankruptcy trusts as well as pursuing injury claims against manufacturers of asbestos, products containing asbestos, building owners, and many more. In some instances family members of those who have died from mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases may be entitled to wrongful death benefits.
Contact an Attorney
If you've recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, cancer of the lung or asbestosis, a seasoned lawyer is your best resource to get compensation for medical treatment and other costs. You may be able to file an asbestos lawsuit against the companies that exposed you, or a loved one to this dangerous substance.
Many people suffering from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses did not realize they were exposed to asbestos until years later. This can make it difficult to obtain the justice you are entitled to. Your lawyer can determine if you qualify to file a suit and the amount of damages you need to seek.
Asbestos attorneys are experts in holding corporations accountable for their actions that harm people irresponsibly. They also recognize that mesothelioma patients they represent are often confronted with complex legal issues, like working with multiple insurance companies and doctors.
Mesothelioma is a deadly illness that is caused by exposure asbestos fibers that pose a threat to health. It can take decades for symptoms to appear and many sufferers are in the final stages of life by the time they are diagnosed. Asbestos companies knew that asbestos was harmful, but they hid this information for decades. This put millions of Americans in danger.
The most frequent type of asbestos exposure happens in the workplace. Asbestos was utilized in a wide variety of industrial and commercial products from the 1930s until the 1970s, including insulation for pipes, fireproofing, plasters and cements and car brakes. Anyone who touched or handled these products were exposed to asbestos fibers, and even family members were often affected by workers bringing home asbestos dust on their clothes.
Construction workers are the most at the risk of exposure to asbestos. They are often involved in renovations, demolitions and re-building older structures that have asbestos. Construction workers are often charged with taking away old insulation from buildings, which can result in an additional exposure to asbestos. In addition, some construction companies did not follow proper safety measures when working on dangerous sites such as the World Trade Center following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Asbestos cases aren't handled by personal injury lawyers, who usually focus on cases involving motor vehicle accidents as well as other general injuries. A mesothelioma lawyer will have a team of attorneys and support staff who handle only asbestos-related cases. They will have a vast understanding of asbestos ' history and locations, as well as companies that employed asbestos and more, and will help victims determine whether they were exposed asbestos at work or elsewhere. They can also help locate the correct documents, file an asbestos lawsuit against a company that isn't there and determine if the company has trust funds to compensate victims.