An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos sufferers often suffer from conditions like lung cancer and mesothelioma. These conditions can take a long time to show symptoms. A New York asbestos lawyer can assist those suffering from this debilitating illness receive compensation for their losses.

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

Military Personnel

From the 1930s to the 1970s, asbestos was extensively employed in all branches of the military. It was used to add the ability to resist fire as well as heat insulation and the ability to tensile strengthen vessels, aircrafts, bases and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing substances or who were in close proximity to them are at a higher risk of developing cancers such as mesothelioma. The Navy is the most common cause of asbestos-related illnesses but other branches of the military could also be at risk.

Asbestos was prevalent on Navy ships and in the armored vehicles of the Navy. It was woven into ropes of boats and was used as an insulator in boiler rooms and engine rooms. Even the bedding, ceiling tiles and flooring were made from asbestos. As these materials degraded they released asbestos-containing toxic fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust could cause serious health issues such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Army veterans are also at risk of developing mesothelioma due to their exposure to asbestos. While the Army had stopped using new asbestos settlement products in the late 1970s Army bases were still stocked with decades of old asbestos-based materials that weren't removed or replaced. During their time on the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos from working on military vehicles and equipment, such as electric wiring and brake components. The toxic mineral was also present in the Army's barracks as well as living quarters.

The soldiers also occupied buildings in zones of war that were bombarded or burned down. These buildings often contained large quantities of asbestos that were burned before being released into the air. The veterans breathed in asbestos and suffered severe health effects. An experienced asbestos lawyer can assist veterans in obtaining financial compensation to pay for medical expenses such as lost wages, home treatment and pain and suffering, as well as funeral and burial costs if they have mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Veterans could also be compensated for the loss of their families in the event that they lost a loved one to mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. An asbestos attorney could also assist family members to file a lawsuit against negligent companies that manufactured and sold hazardous products.

Industrial Workers

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

Asbestos is often used in building materials such as insulation, fireproofing, and drywall. Additionally, it was used in the production of a wide variety of consumer products, including roofing, flooring, cement and pipes. Many public institutions also employed asbestos, like hospitals, schools, offices and sewage treatment facilities. Unfortunately most of these industries have been shut down and the people who were affected are suffering from severe asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Industrial workers that are the most likely to be exposed include fabricators, mechanics and welders, who work on vehicles and equipment that contain asbestos or work in older buildings that have not 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 recognized that exposure to these kinds of jobs is higher than other professions. Some individuals who have been in the military, or in recovery and rescue efforts following natural disasters, are also at risk for future exposure when they go into damaged buildings.

Anyone who has experienced the symptoms of asbestos exposure in the past must seek out 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. However in the case of asbestos-related diseases, this time period is often extended as it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma as well as other conditions to develop.

When a person is diagnosed with a condition such as asbestosis or mesothelioma and asbestosis, it can have profound consequences for their loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can help those diagnosed to get the financial compensation required to support their families.

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos is a very hazardous mineral that could cause lung diseases and cancers like mesothelioma. When asbestos was used extensively in American industries during the 20th century, the dangers extended far beyond the workers who directly handled the substance. The asbestos fibers are so tiny that they tend to stick to clothing, hair and even equipment. When blue-collar workers brought the dust home on their clothing and hair or on their work tools they did not realize that they exposed their spouses and children to these dangerous particles. This was known as secondary exposure.

This has led to a large number of people who were never exposed to asbestos in their work environments are now receiving mesothelioma diagnoses. Victims of asbestos exposure can bring lawsuits against companies that failed to warn of the dangers associated with their products. A knowledgeable attorney can assist these victims trace the source of their exposure and to a defendant who may be held responsible for this negligence.

Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately when you're diagnosed with a condition related to asbestos. They can assist victims in finding compensation to pay medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also file wrongful death lawsuits against companies who did not warn of the risks their products could pose.

Construction workers are more at risk of chance of developing mesothelioma. Because the construction industry typically involves demolitions, renovations, and the re-construction of old structures that contained asbestos-based materials, those who work in the field are at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.

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

Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws that permit spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers accountable for their health issues. To be successful, the victims must prove that the defendant's negligence led to their exposure. This is a challenging task since mesothelioma as well as lung cancer have a time-to-latency of up to 30 years.

Homeowners

If you have developed mesothelioma, a lung disease, due to exposure to asbestos, you could have a claim for compensation. You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the company who exposed you to asbestos, or you could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. A New York asbestos lawyer can assist you in deciding the best option for you.

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

Asbestos fibers can be released into the air when they are disturbed. These fibers can also cling to clothing, creating the risk of second-hand exposure. Homeowners who are remodeling their homes should inspect their homes for asbestos. If asbestos is found to be present, it must be checked by a certified professional prior to being removed.

Homeowners should avoid taking samples of their own materials. Asbestos is a complex material to test, and trying to take samples without the proper training could lead homeowners and others in the vicinity to grave health risks. If the asbestos-containing material is in good shape and isn't disturbed, a trained professional can recommend that it be left alone.

Asbestos-related diseases are very serious and painful, but they are treatable. A knowledgeable asbestos lawyer can assist the victims and their families with filing an action for compensation against negligent builders, employers and product manufacturers. If you or someone you love suffers from an asbestos compensation-related disease, get in touch with an experienced New York asbestos attorney today. Our attorneys will review your case for free and won't be paid unless you receive a payment. Call us today to arrange your free legal consultation.