Blog entry by Elise Moten
An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma
Asbestos victims can suffer from lung cancer or mesothelioma. These diseases may not show symptoms for years. A New York asbestos lawyer can help those suffering from this debilitating illness receive compensation for their losses.
An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation (visit the following post) against the owners of work sites or buildings, manufacturers and others responsible for exposing workers and customers to this dangerous mineral.
Military Personnel
In all branches of the military, asbestos was used extensively from the 1930s to the 1970s. 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 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 illnesses however other branches of the military could also be at risk.
Asbestos was widely used on Navy ships and armored vehicles. It was weaved into the ropes of boats, and used as an insulation in engines and boiler rooms. Even ceiling tiles, bedding and flooring were constructed from asbestos. As these materials degraded they released toxic asbestos fibers into the air. When asbestos dust is inhaled, it can cause serious health complications including mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.
Army veterans are also at risk of mesothelioma due to their exposure asbestos. The Army has stopped using asbestos-based products in late 1970s but many Army bases still had asbestos-based materials from decades ago that were not removed or replaced. During their time on base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos through their work on military vehicles and equipment, such as brake and electric wiring. The harmful mineral was also present in the barracks and living areas of the Army.
In addition, soldiers deployed to war zones and occupied buildings were in the middle of being destroyed by bombs or destroyed. 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 severe health effects. A knowledgeable asbestos attorney can assist veterans in obtaining financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages and home care and pain and suffering, as well as funeral and burial costs if they have mesothelioma-related diagnosis. A successful claim can also be able to compensate veterans for their families' losses in the event that they lose a loved one to mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases. A lawyer who specializes in asbestos law can help family members sue negligent companies that sold and produced asbestos-related products that are dangerous.
Industrial Workers
Many industrial workers across New York State were exposed to asbestos throughout the course of their jobs. This is especially relevant to those who worked on shipyards, construction projects and power factories, textile mills, automotive brakes and other industries that employed the material heavily during the 20th century.
Asbestos was frequently incorporated into various building materials, including insulation, fireproof coatings, and drywall. Asbestos was also utilized in various consumer goods, such as roofing, flooring, and pipes. Asbest was also used in a number of public institutions, including schools, offices and hospitals. Unfortunately most of these industries have since closed and the victims are suffering from devastating asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
Industrial workers who are most likely to be exposed include fabricators, mechanics, and welders who work with vehicles and equipment that contain asbestos or work in older buildings that haven't undergone an asbestos removal. They may have also handled asbestos-contaminated tools and safety gear, such as gloves and fire blankets made of asbestos-treated cotton.
OSHA has acknowledged that exposure to these kinds of jobs is higher than other professions. Some people who have served in the military, or in rescue and recovery efforts after natural disasters are at risk of exposure when they enter damaged building.
Anyone who has had symptoms of asbestos exposure in the past should contact a New York Mesothelioma Lawyer immediately. The prompt reporting of asbestos exposure is crucial, as the statutes of limitations for personal injury lawsuits are three years. In the case of asbestos-related disease, this period can be extended because it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma or other diseases to develop.
When a person is found to have a condition like asbestosis or mesothelioma it can have a devastating impact on their loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can help those diagnosed to get the financial compensation they need to provide for their families.
Secondhand Exposure
Asbestos is a very dangerous mineral that can cause lung cancer and lung diseases such as mesothelioma. When asbestos was widely used in American industries during the 20th century, these dangers extended far beyond the people who handled the substance. The minuscule asbestos fibers tend to stick to clothing hair, clothing and other equipment. Blue-collar workers unknowingly exposed their spouses and kids to asbestos dust when they brought it home on their hair, clothing, or equipment from work. This is known as secondary exposure.
In the end, many people who never handled asbestos in the workplace are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims are able to file lawsuits against companies that failed to warn of the risks associated with their products. An experienced attorney can help victims in tracing out the source of their exposure, and locating a defendant who may be held accountable for their negligence.
Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately If you've been diagnosed with an illness that is related to asbestos. These attorneys can help victims find sources of compensation to pay for medical bills and other expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma patients can pursue wrongful death claims against companies that did not fulfill their duty to warn about the dangers of their products.
For workers in the construction industry mesothelioma can be particularly dangerous. Because this construction industry often involves demolitions, renovations and the re-construction of old structures that contain asbestos-containing materials, they are at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.
There is no cure for Mesothelioma. However, you can treat the symptoms with medication. These medications can increase the chances of survival and enhance the quality of life of those who suffer from it. However, these medical treatments are 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 responsible for their health issues. In order to be successful in these claims, victims must prove that the defendant's negligence was responsible for the exposure to asbestos. This can be a difficult task when mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases have a long latency of 30 years or more.
Homeowners
You could be entitled to compensation if your experience led you to develop mesothelioma, a lung disease, due to asbestos exposure. You may be entitled compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or through filing an individual injury lawsuit against the company who exposed you to asbestos. A New York asbestos lawyer can assist you in deciding the best way to proceed.
Although asbestos is no longer mined or processed in the United States It is nevertheless found in a variety of homes and buildings. It was used for insulation, especially in older buildings that had to withstand extreme temperatures and fires. It also was used as a building material in pipes, ceilings roof shingles, siding, and ceilings. Other asbestos-containing items included flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. It was also used in automobile friction products (brake, clutch and transmission pads) and clothing that was heat-resistant.
Asbestos fibers can release into the air when these materials are disturbed. These fibers can also cling to clothing, creating the possibility of exposure to second-hand asbestos. Homeowners who are remodeling should inspect their homes for asbestos. If asbestos is found, it should be tested before removal by a qualified professional.
Homeowners shouldn't attempt to take samples of the materials themselves. Asbestos testing is a complicated procedure, and taking samples without proper training can result in health risks for the homeowner and anyone else living in the vicinity. If the asbestos-containing material is in good health and is not disturbed, a trained professional can advise that it is left to its own devices.
Asbestos-related diseases are very painful and abrasive, but they can be treated. An asbestos lawyer with experience 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 know suffers from an asbestos-related illness, contact a compassionate New York asbestos attorney today. Our attorneys will review your case free of charge and we won't get paid unless you are paid. Call us now to schedule your free consultation.