Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
From the 1930s to the 1970s, asbestos was used in a myriad of industrial and commercial products. Iowa City asbestos lawsuit is used in insulation, fireproofing, and cements. It's also found in automobile brakes.
Workers who handle or work near these materials are at a higher risk of developing serious lung illnesses. Most asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma are not diagnosed for many years after exposure.
Be aware of where asbestos is found.
Asbestos was commonly used in building products up until recently. Although it's not used anymore in construction materials, it is still present in many structures across the nation. Asbestos is not dangerous when it's in good shape and isn't disturbed. It is essential that people know where asbestos is so they don't touch or disturb it.
The most common locations where asbestos can be found include flooring and walls around wood-burning stoves, textured paint and insulation. Older homes may have asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation, as well as asbestos-containing adhesives or plaster. Other asbestos-containing products include paper, millboard and cement sheets which were used in ceiling and wall drywall.
Asbestos fibers are released into the air when the materials are disturbed. These fibers could be inhaled and lead to serious health issues, including mesothelioma. Finding an asbestos removal or abatement contractor with a track record is recommended for any job that requires these materials.
It is essential for homeowners to know the distinction between friable and non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos is more likely to cause illness because it can easily release asbestos-related particles that are harmful into the air. Non-friable asbestos, on the other hand, is less dangerous because it is unbroken and only releases tiny fibres when broken or damaged.
Asbestos isn't easy to identify and even if you are aware of its presence, it's difficult to know if it's in good condition. This is why it's generally advised to keep any asbestos that you suspect in place unless you're planning on doing some major renovation or remodel of your home.
If you suspect that you have asbestos in your home, you should consult a mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced immediately. They can advise you on the next steps to take and determine if compensation is available from an asbestos trust. Asbestos exposure lawyers can help you in filing a lawsuit against companies that exposed their workers to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Take measures to avoid disturbing asbestos
In the 1930s and into the 1970s, asbestos was often placed in a wide range of industrial and construction materials like insulation for pipes, fireproofing materials, cements and plasters, automobile brakes and more. In reality, nearly everyone who worked in a shipyard or a building during this time probably had contact with asbestos. Anyone who handled or touched asbestos could be exposed to dangerous levels for a long time. Some employees brought the fibers home on their clothes and exposed their families to lung cancer as well as mesothelioma.
Fortunately that the United States has passed legislation that bans many uses of asbestos. Asbestos is no longer a serious danger. Nevertheless, the fibers are still present in older buildings and homes. However, many of these buildings are undergoing renovations or demolitions. These projects expose those involved to a high risk.
As asbestos is invisible it is possible that workers will not be aware of their exposure until they develop serious health issues. These symptoms can take a long time to show up and this is why it's so crucial for those working with any type of construction project to be aware of the exposure to asbestos.
The asbestos that is unaffected, such as unaltered floor or ceiling tiles and siding shingles won't release asbestos fibres unless the material has been altered. If these materials are cut or drilled, sawed, or otherwise disturbed in any way, they could become airborne, contaminating the surrounding area.
The effects of water damage, constant vibration, or aging may make asbestos-containing products more fragile and cause them to break down and release fibers into the atmosphere. For this reason, those who are handling or renovating a structure should be cautious and seek the advice of an environmental inspection specialist.
Members of the military are also at danger of exposure to asbestos. Due to their frequent travels overseas, they may encounter asbestos-containing structures that have been burned, bombed or otherwise destroyed. Asbestos is also found in military vehicles and equipment as they repair or service them. In fact, these veterans are more than 30 times more likely to develop pleural cancer compared to those who don't have a military service.
Report Your Suspicion to Your Employer
If you suspect or know that your workplace may be contaminated with asbestos it is your responsibility to inform your employer promptly. You may be able to file an asbestos suit against your employer when they knew of the dangers posed by asbestos but failed to warn you. Your lawyer must show that your employer was aware that asbestos was harmful, and that they were negligent in not disclosing this information.
Asbestos poses a serious health risk that requires workplaces to adhere to strict safety regulations and standards. There are laws and policies that are set by the occupational safety and health Administration(OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Certain occupations are thought to have a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than other. These include asbestos abatement workers, custodial and maintenance workers and insulation workers. In addition, people who work in shipyards and at asbestos-contaminated construction sites also face a higher risk of exposure.
Asbestos exposure can cause a number of diseases that include mesothelioma. This type of cancer is typically found in the lung (pleural mesothelioma) however it can also affect stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma) and other organs, as well. It can also affect the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
When an employee is exposed to asbestos, he or she should be provided with protective equipment and also safe working conditions and training. This should help to prevent any accidental exposure to the toxic substance. Additionally employers are required to keep track of employee exposure to medical tests and exposure for at least 30 years.
If you are diagnosed with a disease related to asbestos exposure, it is important 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 companies that make of asbestos or products containing asbestos, building owners, and many more. In some cases, the family members of people who died from mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases are entitled to wrongful death benefit.
Contact an attorney
If you've recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis, a seasoned lawyer is the best source for obtaining compensation to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. You may be able bring an asbestos lawsuit against the companies that exposed you or a loved ones to this harmful substance.
Many people who have mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses didn't know they had been exposed to asbestos until many years later. This can make it very difficult to get the justice you deserve. Your attorney will determine if you are eligible to file a suit and what damages you should seek.
Asbestos lawyers specialize in holding large corporations accountable for negligently harming people. They also recognize that mesothelioma patients they represent confront legal challenges of a complex nature like coordination between multiple doctors and insurance companies.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that can be fatal is caused by asbestos fibers. It can take decades for symptoms to show up and many sufferers are in the final stages of life when they are diagnosed. Asbestos manufacturers knew asbestos was harmful, but they hid this information for decades, putting millions of Americans at risk.
The most frequent type of asbestos exposure is at work. Asbestos was utilized in a variety of commercial and industrial products from the 1930s until the 1970s, such as insulation for pipes, fireproofing cements and plasters, as well as car brakes. Workers who handled these products or touched them were exposed to asbestos fibers. Even family members might be affected if workers brought asbestos dust home on their clothes.
Construction workers are at the highest risk for asbestos exposure. They are often involved in demolitions, renovations and re-building older structures that contain asbestos. A lot of construction workers have to remove old insulation from buildings, which could expose them to asbestos. Some construction companies also did not take the appropriate safety precautions when working on hazardous sites such as the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Personal injury lawyers don't handle asbestos cases. They usually focus on motor vehicle accidents, or other general injuries. A mesothelioma law firm will have a team of lawyers and support staff who deal with only asbestos-related cases. They will have a vast understanding of asbestos's history locations, the places, companies that used asbestos and more, and can assist victims in determining whether they were exposed asbestos at work or elsewhere. They can also assist in finding the appropriate documents, submitting an asbestos lawsuit against companies that have ceased to exist and determining if the companies have trust funds available to compensate victims.