An
Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos-related victims may suffer from lung cancer or mesothelioma. These illnesses may not show symptoms for decades. A New York
asbestos lawyer can assist those suffering from this debilitating illness receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney could file an
asbestos lawsuit against building or worksite owners and manufacturers, as well as other individuals accountable for exposing workers and customers to this dangerous mineral.
Military Personnel
From the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos was widely used throughout the military. It enhanced the fire resistance as well as the heat insulation the tensile strength of vessels, aircrafts, bases, and vehicles. Veterans of the military who have worked in or around asbestos-rich materials are at greater risk of chance of developing mesothelioma as well as other cancers. The Navy is the one responsible for the greatest number of asbestos-related illnesses, but members of other branches of the military are also at risk of being exposed to this carcinogen.
Asbestos was used extensively on Navy vessels and armored vehicles. It was weaved into the ropes of boats and was used as an insulator in engine rooms and boiler rooms. Even bedding, ceiling tiles and flooring were made of asbestos. As the materials deteriorated, they released toxic asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust could cause serious health issues like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Army veterans are also at risk of developing mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos. The Army ended the use of asbestos-based products in late 1970s but many Army bases still had asbestos-based products from decades ago that were not replaced or removed. During their time on base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos through their work on military vehicles and equipment, including brake and electric wiring. The harmful mineral was also present in the living and barracks areas of the Army.
Additionally, soldiers were deployed to areas of war and buildings that were in the middle of being destroyed by bombs or burned to the ground. These sites were often filled with large quantities of asbestos, which were then burned and then released into the air. The veterans breathed in asbestos and suffered the severe health consequences. A knowledgeable asbestos attorney can assist veterans in obtaining financial compensation to cover medical expenses including lost wages and home care as well as funeral and burial costs if they have mesothelioma-related diagnosis. A successful claim can also pay for veterans' families' losses if someone close to them died from mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness. A lawyer who is specialized in asbestos law may be able to assist family members to sue negligent companies that sold and manufactured asbestos-related products that are dangerous.
Industrial Workers
Asbestos was a typical material used in the workplace of a lot of industrial workers across New York State. This is particularly relevant for those who worked in construction projects, shipyards, power plants, textile mills and brakes for cars.
Asbestos is widely used in building materials, such as fireproofing, insulation, and drywall. In addition, it was used to manufacture a wide variety of consumer products, including flooring, roofing cement, pipes and even cement. Many public institutions also employed asbestos, like schools, offices, hospitals and sewage treatment facilities. Unfortunately many of these industries have been shut down and the people who were affected are suffering from a variety of devastating asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Industrial workers that are the most likely to be exposed include mechanics, fabricators and welders who work on equipment and vehicles that have asbestos, or who work in older buildings that have not been treated for 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 occupations. Additionally, certain individuals who have served in the military or in the field of rescue and recovery following natural disasters are at risk of being exposed in the future when they enter damaged buildings.
Anyone who has recently suffered symptoms of asbestos exposure should speak to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Notifying asbestos exposure experts immediately is crucial, as the statute of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. In the case of asbestos-related disease, this time period can be extended because it can 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 devastating impact on their family and loved ones. A New York
mesothelioma lawsuits lawyer can help those diagnosed to get the financial compensation they need to provide for their families.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is known to cause cancer and lung diseases, including mesothelioma. Asbestos was extensively used in American industries during the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos extended beyond those who handled it directly. The asbestos fibers are so tiny that they can stick to clothing, hair and even equipment. When blue-collar workers brought the dust home with them on their clothes or hair, or on tools from work they did not realize that they exposed their children and their spouses to these dangerous particles. This was known as secondary exposure.
In the end, many people who were never exposed to asbestos in the workplace are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims can bring lawsuits against companies that failed warn about the dangers associated with their products. An experienced attorney can assist victims in tracing out the source of their exposure and locate the defendant who could be held accountable for their error.
Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately If you've been diagnosed with a condition related to asbestos. They can help victims obtain compensation to cover medical expenses and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also file wrongful death lawsuits against companies who failed to warn of the dangers their products posed.
Construction workers are more at risk of risk of developing mesothelioma. Because the construction industry typically involves demolitions, renovations and re-building of old structures that contain asbestos materials, these individuals are at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.
There is no cure for Mesothelioma. However, you can treat the symptoms by taking medication. These medications can improve the quality of life for a victim and increase the likelihood of survival. However, these medical treatments can be costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws that allow spouses of asbestos workers to sue negligent employers for their illnesses. To succeed in bringing these lawsuits, victims must demonstrate that the defendant's negligence led to the exposure to asbestos. This can be a daunting job when mesothelioma or lung cancer, and other diseases have a long latency period of 30 years or more.
Homeowners
You may be entitled to compensation if your experience led you to develop mesothelioma or another lung disease as a result of asbestos exposure. You could be eligible for compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or an individual injury lawsuit against the company who exposed you to asbestos. A seasoned New York asbestos attorney can help you determine the best method to pursue.
While asbestos is not mined or processed in the United States anymore, it is still present in a variety of homes and buildings. It was used in insulation, especially in older buildings that needed to withstand fires and high temperatures. It was also used in building materials, such as ceilings, pipes and roof shingles. Other asbestos-containing products included flooring products, paper products felt and fake fireplace embers. It was also used in automobile friction products (brake clutch, transmission and brake pads) and heat-resistant clothing.
When these materials are disturbed, asbestos fibers that are airborne are released. The agitation of these materials could cause the fibers to cling to clothing, which poses the risk of exposure to other people. Homeowners who are constructing their homes must have their homes checked for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered it must be tested before removal by a professional.
Homeowners shouldn't attempt to take samples of their own materials. Asbestos testing is a complex process, and taking samples without proper instruction could cause health hazards for the homeowner and anyone else living in the vicinity. A trained professional can advise that asbestos-containing materials be left alone when they are in good shape and won't be disturbed.
Asbestos-related diseases are very painful and abrasive, but they can be treated. A lawyer experienced in asbestos can help the victims and their families file a claim against negligent employers and building owners, as well as the product manufacturers. If you or someone you love has an asbestos-related illness, contact an experienced New York asbestos attorney today. Our lawyers are ready to review your case free, and we do not charge unless we recover money for you. Call us today to arrange your free consultation with a lawyer.
