An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos sufferers often suffer from ailments like lung cancer or mesothelioma that can take years to manifest symptoms. A New York asbestos lawyer can help those who suffer from this debilitating disease receive compensation for their losses.

An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against the owners of work sites or buildings as well as manufacturers and other parties who are responsible for exposing workers as well as consumers to this deadly mineral.

Military Personnel

From the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos was widely used throughout the military. It increased the fire resistance as well as heat insulation and the tensile strength of vessels aircrafts, bases, and vehicles. Veterans of the military who have worked with or around asbestos-rich materials are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma and other cancers. The Navy is the most common cause of asbestos-related illness however other branches of the military could be as well.

Asbestos was used extensively on Navy vessels and armored vehicles. It was woven into the ropes of boats, and used as an insulator in engine rooms and boiler rooms. It was even used in flooring, bedding, and ceiling tiles. As the materials deteriorated, they released toxic asbestos fibres into the atmosphere. Inhaling asbestos dust can cause serious health problems like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Army veterans also have mesothelioma risk due to their exposure the deadly substance. Although the Army had stopped using new asbestos products in the late 1970s, many Army bases were still stocked with years of asbestos-based products that were not removed or replaced. While on the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos through their work on military vehicles and equipment, such as electric wiring and brake components. The harmful mineral was also present in the living areas and barracks of the Army.

In addition, soldiers deployed to places of war and occupied buildings were in the process of being bombed or burned to the ground. These sites typically contained large amounts of asbestos, which were then destroyed and then released into the air. The veterans breathed in asbestos litigation and suffered serious health issues. If a veteran is diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos attorney can help them obtain financial compensation for medical expenses, lost income, home care, suffering funeral and burial expenses, and discomfort and pain. A successful claim may also be able to compensate veterans for their families' losses in the event that a loved one died from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. An asbestos attorney can assist family members to file an action against negligent businesses that produced and sold the dangerous asbestos-related products.

Industrial Workers

Many industrial workers across New York State were exposed to asbestos throughout the course of their jobs. This is especially true for those who have worked in shipyards, construction projects power plants, textile mills and automotive brakes.

Asbestos is often used in building materials, such as insulation, fireproofing, and drywall. Additionally, it was used to manufacture a wide variety of consumer products, such as roofing, flooring cement, pipes and even cement. Asbest was also utilized in a number of public institutions, including hospitals, schools and offices. Unfortunately, many of these industries have been closed and the people who were affected are suffering from severe asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Industrial workers that are the most likely to be exposed include mechanics, fabricators and welders, who work on vehicles and equipment that contained asbestos or are working in older buildings that haven't 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.

OSHA has acknowledged that exposure to these types of jobs is higher than in many other careers. Some individuals who have served in the military or in the relief and recovery efforts following natural disasters, are at risk for future exposure when they enter buildings that have been damaged.

Anyone who has recently suffered symptoms of asbestos exposure should talk to a New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Notifying asbestos exposure experts immediately is essential, since the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. If asbestos is the cause of disease, this period can be extended since it could take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma and other diseases to develop.

When a person is found to have a condition like asbestosis or mesothelioma, it can have a significant impact on their family and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can help those diagnosed to get the financial compensation required to provide for their families.

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos is known to cause cancer and lung diseases, such as 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 small that they can stick to hair, clothing, and equipment. Blue collar workers accidentally exposed their children and spouses to asbestos dust when they brought it home on their hair, clothing, or tools from work. This is referred to as secondary exposure.

In the end, many people who have never worked with asbestos in the workplace are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims can sue companies that did not warn of the dangers of their products. An experienced attorney can help such victims to trace the origin of their exposure and to a defendant that may be held responsible for this carelessness.

Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer as soon as possible if you are diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos. These lawyers can assist victims in finding compensation to pay medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also file claims for wrongful death against companies that failed to warn consumers of the dangers their products could pose.

For workers in the construction industry mesothelioma is particularly fatal. Construction workers are more susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses because they often remodel, demolish and reconstruct old structures that contain asbestos-containing materials.

There is no cure for Mesothelioma. However, you can treat the symptoms with medication. These medications can improve a victim's quality of life and increase the chances of survival. However, these medical treatments are costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.

New Jersey, as well as other states, have enacted laws that allow spouses of asbestos workers hold negligent employers responsible for their ailments. To be successful, the victims must prove that negligence by the defendant led to their exposure. This is a challenging job, since mesothelioma and lung cancer have a latency that can last up to 30 years.

Homeowners

If you've contracted a lung disease like mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos, you could have a claim for compensation. You could be eligible for compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or a personal injury suit against the business that exposed you to asbestos. An experienced New York asbestos attorney can assist you in determining the best way to proceed.

While asbestos is not extracted or processed in the United States anymore, it is still present in many buildings and homes. It was used as insulation, particularly in older buildings that had to withstand high temperatures and fires. It was also used as a building material in pipes, ceilings, roof shingles and siding. Other asbestos-containing products included flooring products, paper products felt, and fake fireplace embers. Asbestos was also used to make friction products for automobiles (brake transmission, clutch and brake pads) and clothing that was heat-resistant.

Asbestos fibers can be released into the air when these materials are disturbed. The agitation of these materials could cause the fibers to cling to clothes, posing the possibility of exposure to others. Homeowners who are renovating should have their properties inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is found, it should be tested before being removed by a professional.

Homeowners should never try to collect samples of materials themselves. Asbestos is an extremely difficult material to test, and attempting to collect samples without proper training could lead homeowners and others living in the vicinity into dangerous health hazards. If the asbestos-containing material is in good condition and isn't disturbed, a professional who is trained may recommend it be left alone.

Asbestos-related ailments can be severe and painful, 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 product manufacturers. Contact a New York asbestos lawyer today should you or someone near you suffers from an asbestos-related disease. Our attorneys are available to review your case free, and we do not receive any compensation unless we get money back for you. Contact us today to set up your complimentary legal consultation.