An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos-related victims may suffer from mesothelioma and lung cancer. These illnesses might not be apparent for decades. A New York asbestos lawyer can assist those suffering from this debilitating illness get compensation for their losses.

An attorney may sue the owners of buildings or worksites, manufacturers and other parties accountable for exposing workers and customers to asbestos.

Military Personnel

From the 1930s through the 1970s, asbestos was widely employed throughout the military. It added the ability to resist fire as well as heat insulation, and the ability to tensile strengthen vessels, aircraft, bases and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing substances or were around them are at a higher 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 used extensively on Navy ships as well as in the armored vehicles of the Navy. It was woven into the ropes of boats and was used as an insulator in boiler rooms and engine rooms. Even the bedding, ceiling tiles and flooring were made of asbestos. As these materials degraded they released asbestos-containing toxic fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust could lead to serious health complications such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Army veterans are also at risk of developing mesothelioma due to their exposure to asbestos. While the Army had stopped using new asbestos products in the late 1970s Army bases had years of asbestos-based products that weren't removed or replaced. Army personnel were exposed asbestos while on base when they worked on military vehicles and other equipment such as brake components as well as electric wiring. The mineral was found in the living and barracks areas of the Army.

Additionally, soldiers were deployed to areas of war and buildings were in the midst of being bombed or burned down. These sites contained large amounts of asbestos, which were then burned and released into the atmosphere. As a result of inhaling asbestos, the veterans suffered serious health issues. An experienced asbestos attorney could assist veterans in obtaining financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages as well as home care, pain and suffering and funeral and burial costs in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. A successful claim could also compensate veterans for their families' losses if someone close to them died from mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness. An asbestos attorney could also assist family members in filing an action against negligent companies that produced and sold the dangerous products.

Industrial Workers

Asbestos was a popular substance used in the work of a lot of industrial workers across New York State. This is especially the case for those working on shipyards, construction projects and power plants, textile mills, automotive brakes and other industries that used the material heavily during the 20th century.

Asbestos is often used in building materials like fireproofing, insulation, and drywall. Asbestos was also utilized in various consumer goods, such as roofing, flooring and pipes. Asbest was also employed in a number of public institutions, including schools, offices and hospitals. Unfortunately the industries have ceased to exist and a large number of people suffer from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Industrial workers who are most likely to be exposed include fabricators, mechanics and welders who work on equipment and vehicles that have asbestos or work in older buildings that have not undergone an asbestos law 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 recognized that these types of jobs are more prone for exposure than other professions. Certain people who have served in the military, or in the recovery and rescue efforts following natural disasters, are also at risk for future exposure when they enter damaged building.

Anyone who has recently experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure must speak to a New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Reporting suspected asbestos exposure immediately is essential, since the statute of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. If asbestos is the cause of disease, this time period can be extended because it can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma or any other diseases to develop.

When a person is diagnosed with a condition such as mesothelioma or asbestosis and asbestosis, it can have profound 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 help their families enjoy a life of peace.

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos is a highly dangerous mineral that can lead to lung diseases and cancers such as mesothelioma. When asbestos was widely used in American industries in the 20th century, these dangers went beyond people who handled the substance. The asbestos fibers are so tiny that they are able to stick to clothing, hair, and equipment. Blue-collar workers unknowingly exposed their spouses and kids to asbestos dust when they brought home their hair, clothing or tools from work. This is known as secondary exposure.

This has led to a large number of people who have never worked with asbestos in their work environments are now receiving mesothelioma diagnoses. Victims of asbestos exposure can sue companies that did not warn of the dangers that their products pose. An experienced attorney can help those who suffer from this condition to identify the source of their exposure and to a defendant who may be held accountable for their negligence.

If someone is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it is important to speak with an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately. These attorneys can help victims find sources of compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma patients can 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 greater risk of developing mesothelioma. Construction workers are at risk for asbestos-related illnesses because they often remodel, demolish and reconstruct old structures that are made of asbestos materials.

Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, the symptoms can be treated with medication. These drugs can improve a victim's quality of life and increase the likelihood of survival. These treatments can be expensive. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.

Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws allowing spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers liable for their ailments. To be successful, the victims must show that negligence by the defendant led to their asbestos exposure. This can be a difficult task when mesothelioma, lung cancer and other conditions have a long latency period of 30 years or more.

Homeowners

You could be entitled to compensation if you developed a lung condition like mesothelioma due to asbestos case exposure. You could be eligible for compensation through an asbestos legal trust funds claim or by filing an individual injury lawsuit against the company who exposed you to asbestos. An experienced New York asbestos attorney can help you determine the best course of action.

Although asbestos is no longer mined or processed in America however, it is still found in a variety of buildings and homes. It was used as insulation, especially in older buildings that needed to withstand fires and extreme temperatures. It also was used as a building material in ceilings, pipes, roof shingles and siding. Other asbestos-containing products included flooring, 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.

If these materials are disturbed, asbestos-like airborne fibers can be released. The agitation of these materials could cause the fibers to cling to clothing, creating the risk of exposure to other people. Homeowners who are remodeling should be able to have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered and checked by a certified professional prior to being removed.

Homeowners should avoid taking materials samples themselves. Asbestos is a complex material to test, and attempting to take samples without proper training could put homeowners and others in the vicinity to take on serious health risks. If the asbestos-containing material is in good shape and will not be disturbed, a professional who is trained may recommend it be left in its place.

Asbestos-related diseases can be very painful and abrasive, but they can be treated. An asbestos lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families file a lawsuit against negligent employers and building owners and also the product manufacturers. If you or someone you know suffers from an asbestos-related illness, contact an experienced New York asbestos attorney today. Our lawyers will evaluate your case at no cost, and we won't be paid unless you receive a payment. Call us now to schedule your free consultation.