An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos victims often suffer from conditions like lung cancer and mesothelioma. These conditions can take a long time to show symptoms. An experienced New York asbestos lawyer could aid those suffering from this devastating condition obtain compensation for their losses.

An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against the owners of work sites or buildings, manufacturers and others responsible for exposing workers and consumers to this deadly mineral.

Military Personnel

From the 1930s through the 1970s, asbestos was extensively employed throughout the military. It improved the resistance to fire as well as heat insulation and tensile strengths of vessels, bases, aircrafts and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing materials or were in their vicinity are at greater risk of developing cancers such as mesothelioma. The Navy is the one responsible for the highest number of asbestos-related illnesses, but members of other branches of the military are also at risk of being exposed to this carcinogen.

Asbestos was used extensively on Navy vessels and armored vehicles. It was utilized in the boiler rooms and engine rooms as an insulator and woven into ropes on boats. It was even used in flooring, bedding and ceiling tiles. When these products deteriorated they released asbestos-containing toxic fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust could lead to serious health complications like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Army veterans also have mesothelioma risk due to their exposure to this deadly substance. The Army ended the use of asbestos-based products in the late 1970s, however many Army bases still had asbestos-based materials from years ago that were not replaced or removed. When they were on the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos while working on military vehicles and equipment, including electric wiring and brake components. The mineral was found in the living areas and barracks of the Army.

Soldiers also occupied buildings in war zones that were being bombarded or burned down. These sites were contaminated with large amounts of asbestos. These were then burned and released into the air. As a result of inhaling asbestos, the veterans experienced serious health problems. An experienced asbestos lawyer can assist veterans to obtain financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, home care and pain and suffering, as well as funeral and burial costs in the event of mesothelioma as a diagnosis. Veterans may also be compensated for the losses of their families in the event that someone close to them died from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. An asbestos attorney can assist family members in filing an action against negligent businesses 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 work. This is especially applicable to those who worked in construction projects, shipyards textile mills, power plants and automotive brakes.

Asbestos was frequently used in various building materials, like insulation, fireproof coatings, and drywall. Asbestos was also used in various consumer products including roofing, flooring and pipes. A lot of public institutions also utilized asbestos, including hospitals, schools, offices and sewage treatment plants. Unfortunately, many of these industries have been shut down and the victims are suffering from devastating asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Fabricators, mechanics and welders who work with machinery and vehicles that contain asbestos or work in older structures that are not equipped with asbestos abatement are the ones 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 acknowledged that these kinds of jobs are more susceptible for exposure than other occupations. Additionally, certain individuals who have worked in the military or served in the rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of natural disasters are at risk of exposure in the future if they enter damaged buildings.

Anyone who has recently suffered symptoms of asbestos exposure must speak to a New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Reporting suspected asbestos exposure immediately is crucial, as the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. However, in the case of asbestos-related diseases, this time is usually extended since it could take up to 50 years for mesothelioma or other conditions to develop.

If a person is diagnosed with a medical condition like asbestosis or mesothelioma, it can have far-reaching consequences for their family members and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma law firm can assist patients in obtaining the financial compensation they require to help their families live a life of comfort.

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos is a very dangerous mineral that can lead to lung cancer and lung diseases such as mesothelioma. When asbestos claim was used extensively in American industries during the 20th century, these dangers went beyond workers who directly handled the material. The minuscule fibers that make up asbestos tend to stick to clothes, hair and equipment. Blue collar workers accidentally exposed their children and spouses to asbestos dust when they brought it home on their hair, clothing or even tools from work. This was known as secondary exposure.

Many people who have not had to work with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims are able to file lawsuits against companies that did not warn about the risks that their products pose. An experienced attorney can help these victims trace the source of their exposure and to a defendant that may be held accountable for their inattention.

If someone is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it is important to consult an asbestos exposure attorney immediately. These attorneys can help sufferers discover compensation sources to cover medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients may also pursue the case of wrongful death against businesses that failed to warn consumers of the risks their products posed.

For those working in construction mesothelioma is particularly deadly. Construction workers are more susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses since they typically renovate, demolish or rebuild old structures that are made of asbestos materials.

While there is no cure for mesothelioma, the symptoms can be treated with medication. These drugs can improve the quality of life for a victim and increase the likelihood of survival. However, these medical treatments are costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.

Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws allowing spouses of asbestos workers to sue negligent employers for their health issues. To succeed in bringing these claims, the victims must show that the defendant's negligence caused exposure to asbestos lawsuit. This can be a challenging task, as mesothelioma and lung cancer have a latency that can last up to 30 years.

Homeowners

You may be entitled to compensation if your experience led you to develop mesothelioma or another lung disease due to asbestos exposure. You could be eligible for compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or an injury lawsuit against the company that exposed you to asbestos. A New York asbestos claim lawyer can help you determine the best option for you.

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

If these materials are disturbed, asbestos fibers that are airborne can be released. In addition, the process of agitating these materials may cause the fibers to adhere to clothes, posing the risk of exposure to other people. Homeowners who are remodeling should be able to have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered, it should be tested before removal by a qualified professional.

Homeowners should never try to take samples of materials themselves. Asbestos testing is a complex process, and attempting to collect samples without proper instruction could cause health hazards for the homeowner and any other person in the area. If the asbestos-containing material is in good health and is not disturbed, a certified professional may recommend it be left in its place.

Asbestos-related illnesses are severe and painful, but they can be treated. A knowledgeable asbestos lawyer can assist the victims and their families with filing claims for compensation against negligent builders as well as employers and manufacturers of products. Contact an New York asbestos lawyer today in the event that you or someone near you suffers from an asbestos-related disease. Our attorneys will review your case at no cost, and we won't be paid unless you receive a payment. Call us now to schedule your free consultation.