An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos sufferers often suffer from ailments like lung cancer or mesothelioma. These conditions can take a long time to show symptoms. A New York asbestos lawyer can help those suffering from this debilitating disease receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against building or worksite owners, manufacturers and others responsible for exposing workers and consumers to the deadly mineral.
Military Personnel
From the 1930s through the 1970s, asbestos was widely used throughout the military. It improved 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 with or around asbestos-laden materials are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma as well as other cancers. The Navy is the most frequently reported cause of asbestos-related illness but other branches of the military may also be at risk.
Asbestos was used extensively on Navy vessels and armored vehicles. It was weaved into the ropes of boats and used as an insulation in engine rooms and boiler rooms. Even bedding, ceiling tiles and flooring were made of asbestos. When these products deteriorated they released asbestos litigation-containing toxic 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 also face mesothelioma risks due to their exposure to this dangerous substance. While the Army has stopped using asbestos-based products in the latter part of the 1970s, a lot of Army bases were still stocked with decades of old asbestos-based materials that were not replaced or removed. Army personnel were exposed asbestos during their stay on the base, when they worked on military vehicles and equipment, such as brake components and electric wiring. The mineral was found in the living areas and barracks of the Army.
The soldiers also occupied buildings in areas of war that were being bombed, or burning down. These buildings contained huge amounts of asbestos, which were then destroyed and released into the atmosphere. The veterans breathed in asbestos and suffered serious health consequences. An experienced asbestos lawyer can help veterans recover financial compensation to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and home care, pain and suffering and funeral and burial costs in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Veterans may also be compensated for the losses of their families if someone close to them died from mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease. An asbestos lawyer could assist family members to file a lawsuit against negligent companies that manufactured and sold dangerous asbestos-related products.
Industrial Workers
Many industrial workers across New York State were exposed to asbestos throughout the course of their job. This is particularly relevant to those who worked on construction projects, shipyards 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, such as insulation, fireproofing, as well as drywall. In addition it was used to manufacture various consumer products, including roofing, flooring, cement and pipes. Many public establishments also used asbestos, like hospitals, schools, offices and sewage treatment plants. Unfortunately the industries have ceased to exist, and many victims now suffer from asbestos-related ailments like mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Fabricators, mechanics, and welders who work with equipment and vehicles that contain asbestos or who work in older buildings that do not have asbestos abatement are the most at risk. They may have also handled asbestos-contaminated tools and safety gear, such as gloves and fire blankets made of asbestos-treated cotton.
OSHA has recognized that exposure to these kinds of jobs is greater than in many other careers. In addition, some people who have been in the military or participated in the field of rescue and recovery following natural disasters are more at risk of exposure in the future if they go into damaged buildings.
Anyone who has recently experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure must speak to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. It is essential to notify the asbestos-related lawyer right now, since the time limit for most personal injury claims is three years after an incident. In the case of asbestos-related disease, this time period may be extended as it can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma or other conditions to develop.
If a person is discovered to have a condition like asbestosis or mesothelioma, it can have a profound impact on their loved ones. A New York mesothelioma law firm can assist patients in obtaining the financial compensation they require to support their families and live a comfortable life.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos can cause cancer as well as lung diseases, including mesothelioma. When asbestos was extensively used in American industries in the 20th century, the dangers extended far beyond the people who handled the substance. The minuscule fibers that make up asbestos tend to stick to clothing hair, equipment and clothing. Blue-collar workers unknowingly exposed their children and spouses to asbestos dust when they brought it home on their hair, clothing or tools from work. This was referred to as secondary exposure.
Many people who have never had to work with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. The victims can sue companies that failed to warn of the risks associated with their products. A knowledgeable attorney can assist victims in tracing the cause of their exposure to find a defendant who may be held accountable for their inattention.
When a person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it is important to contact an asbestos exposure lawyer right away. These attorneys can help sufferers find sources of compensation to pay for medical bills and other expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma sufferers can pursue wrongful death claims against companies that did not fulfill their obligation to warn of the dangers of their products.
For those working in construction mesothelioma can be particularly deadly. Construction workers are more susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses since they typically renovate, demolish and rebuild old structures that are made of asbestos claim materials.
While there is no cure for mesothelioma the symptoms can be treated with medications. These medications can increase the likelihood of survival and increase the quality of life of those who suffer from it. However, these treatments can be costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.
New Jersey, as well as other states have passed laws allowing spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers accountable for their health issues. To be successful, victims must show that negligence by the defendant led to their exposure. This can be a difficult job when mesothelioma or lung cancer and other conditions have a long latency period of 30 years or more.
Homeowners
If you have developed mesothelioma or another lung disease because of exposure to asbestos, you could have a claim for compensation. You can make a personal injury claim against the company which exposed you to asbestos or you may be eligible for compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. An experienced New York asbestos attorney can assist you in determining the best course of action.
Although asbestos is no longer mined or processed in America, it can be found in many homes and buildings. It was used for insulation, particularly for older buildings that needed to withstand fires as well as high temperatures. It was also used in building materials, such as pipes, ceilings and roof shingles. Other asbestos-containing products included floor felt and fake fireplaces embers. Asbestos was also used to create friction products for automobiles (brake, transmission and clutch pads) and heat-resistant clothing.
Asbestos fibers can release into the air when these materials are disturbed. Disturbing these materials can also cause the fibers to adhere to clothing, creating a risk of secondhand exposure to others. Homeowners who are remodeling their properties should have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is found, it should be tested before being removed by a professional.
Homeowners should not attempt to collect materials samples themselves. Asbestos is an extremely difficult material to test, and trying to take samples without proper training could put homeowners and others in the vicinity to take on dangerous health hazards. A qualified professional can advise that asbestos-containing materials be left alone provided they are in good condition and will not be disturbed.
Asbestos-related illnesses are extremely serious and painful, but they are treatable. An experienced asbestos lawyer can assist the victims and their families in filing claims for compensation against negligent builders as well as employers and manufacturers of products. If you or someone you love suffers from an asbestos-related disease, get in touch with a compassionate New York asbestos attorney today. Our lawyers will review your case free of charge, and we won't be paid unless you receive a payment. Call us today to schedule your free legal consultation.