An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos victims often suffer from conditions like lung cancer and 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, manufacturers and others accountable for exposing workers and customers to this dangerous mineral.

Military Personnel

Across all branches of the military, asbestos was used extensively from the 1930s until the 1970s. It added the ability to resist fire as well as heat insulation and the strength of tensile to vessels, aircrafts, bases and vehicles. Military veterans who worked with or around asbestos-laden materials are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma and other cancers. 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 extensively used on Navy ships and armored vehicles. It was woven into ropes of boats, and used as an insulation in boiler rooms and engine rooms. Even ceiling tiles, bedding and flooring were constructed from asbestos. As these materials degraded they released asbestos-containing toxic fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust could cause serious health problems such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Army veterans are also at risk of developing mesothelioma due to their exposure to asbestos. Although the Army stopped using new asbestos products in the late 1970s Army bases had decades of old asbestos-based materials that weren't removed or replaced. When they were on base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos through their work on military vehicles and other equipment, such as brake and electric wiring. The mineral that causes harm was found in the Army's barracks as well as living quarters.

Additionally, soldiers were sent to places of war and occupied buildings that were in the process of being bombed or burned down. These sites typically contained large amounts of asbestos that were destroyed and then released into the air. Veterans inhaled asbestos and suffered serious health consequences. An experienced asbestos attorney could assist veterans to obtain financial compensation to pay for medical expenses including lost wages and home care as well as funeral and burial costs if they have a mesothelioma diagnosis. Veterans could also be compensated for the losses of their families in the event that they lost a loved one to mesothelioma, or a different asbestos-related illness. A lawyer with expertise in asbestos law may be able to help family members sue negligent firms that sold and made asbestos-related products that are dangerous.

Industrial Workers

Many industrial workers across New York State were exposed to asbestos throughout the course of their job. This is particularly applicable to those who worked in shipyards, construction sites power plants, textile mills and brakes for cars.

Asbestos is often used in building materials like insulation, fireproofing, as well as drywall. Asbestos was also utilized in various consumer goods including roofing, flooring and pipes. Asbest was also used in a number of public institutions, including hospitals, schools, and offices. Unfortunately, many of these industries have since shut down, and the people who were affected are suffering from a variety of devastating asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Industrial workers that are the most likely to be exposed include mechanics, fabricators and welders who work on vehicles and equipment that contain asbestos or are working 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 acknowledged that these kinds of jobs are more at risk for exposure than many other professions. Additionally, those who have worked in the military or in the field of rescue and recovery after natural disasters are more at risk of future exposure when they enter damaged structures.

Anyone who has experienced symptoms of asbestos exposure should speak to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Reporting suspected asbestos exposure immediately is crucial, as the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits are three years. However, in the case of asbestos-related illnesses, this time period can be extended, as it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma and other conditions to develop.

If a person is discovered to have a condition like asbestosis or mesothelioma it can have a devastating impact on their family and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can help patients diagnosed with the disease to receive the financial compensation required to provide for their families.

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos is a very dangerous mineral that can cause lung cancer and lung diseases such as mesothelioma. Asbestos was extensively used in American industries in the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos went beyond those who handled it directly. The asbestos fibers are small enough that they tend to stick to hair, clothing and even equipment. Blue collar workers accidentally exposed their spouses and kids to asbestos dust when they brought it home on their hair, clothing or equipment from work. This was known as secondary exposure.

Many people who have not worked with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. Victims of asbestos exposure can sue companies that failed to warn of the risks associated with their products. An experienced lawyer can assist these victims trace the source of their exposure, and to a defendant that may be held responsible for this negligence.

Contact an asbestos law exposure lawyer right away if you are diagnosed with a condition related to asbestos. These attorneys can help victims locate compensation sources to cover medical expenses and other expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma patients can bring wrongful-death claims against companies that did not fulfill their obligation to warn of the dangers associated with their products.

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

There is no cure for Mesothelioma. However, you can treat the symptoms by taking medication. These medications can increase the chances of survival and enhance the quality of life of a victim. These treatments can be expensive. 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 ailments. To be successful, the victims must prove that the defendant's negligence contributed to their exposure to asbestos. This is a challenging task, as mesothelioma and lung cancer have a latency of up to 30 years.

Homeowners

You may be entitled to compensation if your experience led you to develop a lung condition like mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. You could be eligible for compensation through an asbestos trust funds claim or an individual injury lawsuit against the company that exposed you to asbestos. An experienced New York asbestos attorney can help you determine the best way to proceed.

Although asbestos isn't mined or processed in the United States anymore, it can still be found in a variety of homes and buildings. It was used for insulation, especially in older buildings that needed to withstand high temperatures and fires. It also was used as a building material in pipes, ceilings roof shingles, siding, and ceilings. 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 heat-resistant clothing.

Asbestos fibers may be released into the air when they are disturbed. In addition, the process of agitating these materials may cause the fibers to adhere to clothes, posing a risk of secondhand exposure to others. Homeowners who are constructing their properties should have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos compensation is discovered to be present, it must be examined by a professional prior to being removed.

Homeowners should avoid taking samples of the materials themselves. Asbestos is a difficult material to test, and trying to take samples without proper education could expose homeowners and others living in the vicinity to take on grave health risks. If the asbestos-containing material is in good shape and is not disturbed, a trained professional can recommend that it be left alone.

Asbestos-related illnesses are extremely serious and painful, but they are treatable. An experienced asbestos lawyer can assist the victims and their families by filing claims for compensation against negligent building owners, employers and product manufacturers. If you or someone you love has an asbestos-related condition, speak with an experienced New York asbestos attorney today. Our lawyers are ready to review your case for no cost, and we will not get paid unless we collect money for you. Contact us now to arrange your free consultation.