An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos victims often suffer from ailments like lung cancer or mesothelioma, which can take years to manifest symptoms. A New York asbestos lawyer can help those who suffer from this debilitating condition get compensation for their losses.

An attorney could file an asbestos lawsuit - Recommended Web page - against owners of buildings or worksites and manufacturers, as well as other individuals responsible for exposing workers and consumers to the deadly mineral.

Military Personnel

In all branches of the military, asbestos was used extensively from the 1930s through the 1970s. It provided fire resistance, heat insulation and tensile strength to bases, aircrafts, vessels and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing products or were in their vicinity are more at risk of developing cancers such as mesothelioma. The Navy is responsible for the highest number of asbestos-related illnesses, but members of other branches of the military are also at risk of exposure to this carcinogen.

Asbestos was widely used on Navy vessels and armored vehicles. It was utilized in the boiler rooms and engine room as an insulator and woven into ropes on boats. Even ceiling tiles, bedding and flooring were made of asbestos. As these products deteriorated they released asbestos case-based toxic fibers into the air. When asbestos dust is inhaled it can cause serious health complications such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Army veterans also have mesothelioma risk due to their exposure to the deadly substance. The Army stopped using asbestos products in late 1970s but many Army bases still had asbestos-based materials from decades ago that were not removed or replaced. When they were on the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos through their work on military vehicles and other equipment, such as brake and electric wiring. The harmful mineral was also present in the living and barracks areas 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. These were then destroyed and released into the atmosphere. These veterans inhaled the asbestos and suffered the severe health consequences. If an individual is diagnosed with mesothelioma an asbestos lawyer can assist the veteran recover financial compensation for medical expenses loss of income and home care, pain, funeral and burial costs as well as discomfort and pain. A successful claim can also pay for veterans' families' losses if they lose a loved one to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. An asbestos attorney could also assist family members to file an action against negligent companies that produced and sold the dangerous asbestos-related products.

Industrial Workers

Asbestos was a popular substance used in the work of many industrial workers throughout New York State. This is especially true for those who worked on shipyards, construction sites, and power plants, textile mills automotive brakes and other industries that utilized the material heavily during the 20th century.

Asbestos is commonly used in building materials like insulation, fireproofing, as well as drywall. Asbestos was also used in various consumer products like roofing, flooring, and pipes. Many public institutions also employed asbestos, like schools, offices, hospitals and sewage treatment facilities. Unfortunately most of these industries have since shut down and the victims are suffering from severe asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Mechanics, fabricators 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.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recognized that these types of jobs are more prone for exposure than many other professions. Some individuals who have been in the military, or in rescue and recovery efforts after natural disasters are at risk for future exposure when they enter damaged building.

Anyone who has had symptoms of asbestos exposure in the past must contact a New York Mesothelioma Lawyer immediately. It is important to report any suspected exposure now, since the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years following an incident. If asbestos is the cause of disease, this period may be extended as it can take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma and other diseases to develop.

If a person is discovered to be suffering from a condition such as mesothelioma, or asbestosis it can have a significant impact on their loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can help those diagnosed to get the financial compensation needed to help their families.

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos is a highly dangerous mineral that can lead to lung diseases and cancers like mesothelioma. When asbestos was extensively used in American industries during the 20th century, these risks extended beyond workers who handled the substance. The asbestos fibers are small enough that they can stick to hair, clothing and even equipment. When blue-collar workers brought the dust home on their clothing, in their hair or on tools from work, they unknowingly exposed spouses and children to the hazardous particles. 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. These victims can file lawsuits against the companies that failed to warn about the dangers associated with their products. A knowledgeable attorney can assist those who suffer from this condition to identify the source of their exposure, and to a defendant who may be held responsible for this inattention.

If someone is diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition it is crucial to speak with an asbestos law exposure lawyer right away. They can assist victims in finding compensation to pay 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 of their products.

Construction workers are more at risk of chance of developing mesothelioma. Construction workers are at risk for asbestos legal-related diseases because they frequently renovate, demolish and rebuild old structures that contain asbestos materials.

There is no cure for mesothelioma, the symptoms can be controlled with medication. These medications can boost the chance of survival and improve the quality of life for the patient. These medical treatments can be expensive. 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 ailments. In order to succeed in bringing these claims, the victims must show that the defendant's negligence was responsible for exposure to asbestos. This is a challenging job, since mesothelioma and lung cancer have a latency that can last up to 30 years.

Homeowners

If you've developed a lung disease like mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation. You could be eligible for compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or through filing a personal injury suit against the business that exposed you to asbestos. A New York asbestos lawyer can help you determine the best way to proceed.

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

Asbestos fibers can release into the air when these materials are disturbed. These fibers can also cling to clothing, creating the risk of second-hand exposure. Homeowners who are renovating their homes should have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is found, it should be tested before removal by a qualified professional.

Homeowners shouldn't attempt to take materials samples themselves. Asbestos testing is a complicated process, and taking samples without proper training could cause health hazards for the homeowner as well as any other person in the area. If the asbestos-containing material is in good condition and isn't disturbed, a certified professional may recommend it be left alone.

Asbestos-related diseases are very painful and abrasive, but they can be treated. A lawyer experienced in asbestos can assist the victims and their families file a lawsuit against negligent building owners and employers and also product manufacturers. Contact an New York asbestos lawyer today if you or someone near you suffers from an asbestos-related disease. Our attorneys are available to review your case no cost, and we do not charge unless we collect money for you. Call us today to arrange your free legal consultation.