An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos-related victims may suffer from lung cancer or mesothelioma. These diseases might not be apparent for decades. An experienced New York asbestos lawyer could assist those suffering from this devastating disease receive compensation for their losses.

An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against owners of buildings or worksites, manufacturers and others who are responsible for exposing workers as well as consumers to this deadly mineral.

Military Personnel

In all branches of the military, asbestos was employed extensively from the 1930s through the 1970s. It improved the resistance to fire, heat insulation, and the tensile strength of vessels bases, aircrafts, and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing products or who were in close proximity to them are more at risk of developing cancers, such as mesothelioma. The Navy is the one responsible for the highest number of asbestos-related illness cases, but members of other branches of the military are also at risk of being exposed to this carcinogen.

Asbestos was widely used on Navy ships and armored vehicles. It was woven into ropes of boats and used as an insulator in engine rooms and boiler rooms. Even ceiling tiles, bedding and flooring were made of asbestos. As these materials degraded, they released asbestos-containing toxic fibers into the air. When asbestos dust is breathed in, it can cause serious health problems including mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.

Army veterans are also at risk of developing mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos. The Army stopped using asbestos products in the late 1970s, however many Army bases still had asbestos-based materials from years ago that were not removed or replaced. When they were on base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos through their work on military vehicles and equipment, including brake and electric wiring. The harmful mineral was also present in the barracks and living areas of the Army.

The soldiers also occupied buildings in war zones that were being destroyed or bombed. These sites typically contained large amounts of asbestos that were burned before being released into the air. Veterans inhaled asbestos and suffered severe health consequences. If an individual is diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos attorney can help them recover financial compensation for medical expenses, lost income as well as home care, suffering funeral and burial expenses, and discomfort and pain. Veterans could also be compensated for the loss of their families if they lost a loved one to mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness. A lawyer who is specialized in asbestos law could help family members sue negligent companies that sold and manufactured asbestos-related products that are dangerous.

Industrial Workers

Asbestos was a popular material used in the workplace of a lot of industrial workers across New York State. This is particularly true for those who have worked in shipyards, construction sites, textile mills, power plants and brakes for cars.

Asbestos was often included in various building materials, such as fireproof coatings, insulation and drywall. Asbestos was also used in various consumer products like roofing, flooring, and pipes. Asbest was also used in many public institutions, including schools, offices and hospitals. Unfortunately most of these industries have been closed and the people who were affected are suffering from devastating 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 with equipment and vehicles that have asbestos or work in older buildings that have not been subjected to asbestos abatement. 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 susceptible for exposure than other careers. Additionally, those who have served in the military or participated 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 experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure in the past must seek out a New York Mesothelioma Lawyer immediately. Notifying asbestos exposure experts immediately is vital, as the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. In the case of asbestos-related disease, this period may be extended as it could take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma or other conditions to develop.

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

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos can cause cancer as well as lung diseases, such as mesothelioma. Asbestos was extensively used in American industries in the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos were not limited to those who handled it directly. The asbestos case fibers are small enough that they are able to stick to clothing, hair, and equipment. Blue-collar workers would bring the dust home on their clothing or hair, or on their work tools and did not know it, they exposed their spouses and children to these hazardous particles. This is referred to as secondary exposure.

Many people who have not been exposed to asbestos have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The victims may bring lawsuits against companies that failed to warn about the dangers of their products. An experienced attorney can assist victims in tracing the source of their exposure and locate an individual who could be held accountable for the negligence.

Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately if you are diagnosed with an illness that is related to asbestos. They can assist victims in obtaining compensation to pay medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients can also pursue claims for wrongful death against companies that failed to warn consumers of the risks their products could pose.

Construction workers are more at risk of risk of developing mesothelioma. Since the construction industry usually involves demolitions, renovations, and reconstruction of old structures that were containing asbestos-containing materials, they are at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.

Although there is no cure for mesothelioma the symptoms can be controlled with medications. These medications can boost the likelihood of survival and improve the quality of life of those who suffer from it. These treatments can be costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.

Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws allowing spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers accountable for their illnesses. To be successful, victims must show that the defendant's negligence led to their exposure. This is a daunting task when mesothelioma and lung cancer and other conditions have a lengthy latency of 30 years or more.

Homeowners

If you've contracted mesothelioma, a lung disease, due to exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation. You could file a personal injury lawsuit against the company who exposed you to asbestos, or you could be eligible for compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. A New York asbestos lawyer can help you determine the best course of action.

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 in insulation, particularly for older buildings that needed to withstand fires and extreme temperatures. It was also used for construction materials like pipes, ceilings and roof shingles. Other asbestos-containing items included flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. Asbestos was also used to make friction products for automobiles (brake transmission, clutch and brake pads) and heat-resistant clothing.

When these materials are disturbed, airborne asbestos fibers are released. They can also stick to clothing, increasing the risk of second-hand exposure. Homeowners who are renovating their properties must have their homes checked for asbestos. If any material is found and examined by a professional prior to being removed.

Homeowners should not attempt to take samples of the materials themselves. Asbestos testing is a complicated procedure, and taking samples without proper instruction could cause health hazards for the homeowner and anyone else living in the vicinity. A qualified professional can advise that asbestos-containing materials be kept in place if they are in good condition and won't be disturbed.

Asbestos-related illnesses are extremely serious and painful, but they can be treated. A knowledgeable asbestos lawyer can help victims and their families with filing claims for compensation against negligent building owners, employers and product manufacturers. Contact an New York asbestos lawyer today if you or someone close to you suffers from an asbestos-related disease. Our lawyers are ready to review your case for no cost, and we will not receive any compensation unless we get money back for you. Contact us now to arrange your free consultation.