An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos-related victims are often affected by diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma. These conditions can take years to manifest symptoms. A skilled New York asbestos lawyer could assist those suffering from this debilitating condition 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 who are responsible for exposing workers as well as consumers to the deadly mineral.

Military Personnel

From the 1930s until the 1970s, asbestos was widely used in all branches of the military. It was used to add fire resistance as well as heat insulation and tensile strength to vessels, aircraft, bases and vehicles. Military veterans who worked in or around asbestos-laden materials are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma and other cancers. The Navy is the one responsible for the most 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 woven into the ropes of boats and was used as an insulation in engines and boiler rooms. Even bedding, ceiling tiles and flooring were made from asbestos. As the products degraded, they released asbestos-based toxic fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust can cause serious health problems like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Army veterans are also at risk of mesothelioma due to their exposure the deadly substance. The Army ended the use of asbestos-based products in the late 1970s, but many Army bases still had asbestos-based products from years ago that were not replaced or removed. Army personnel were exposed asbestos while on base when they worked on military vehicles and equipment such as brake components and electrical wiring. The mineral was found in the barracks and living areas of the Army.

The soldiers also occupied buildings in areas of war that were being bombed, or burning down. These sites often contained large quantities of asbestos, which were then destroyed and then released into the air. These veterans inhaled the asbestos and suffered serious health issues. An experienced asbestos legal lawyer can assist veterans to obtain financial compensation to cover medical expenses including lost wages, home treatment and pain and suffering, as well as funeral and burial costs in the event of mesothelioma-related diagnosis. A successful claim could also pay for veterans' families' losses if they lose a loved one to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. A lawyer who specializes in asbestos law could assist family members to sue negligent companies that sold and manufactured the dangerous products.

Industrial Workers

Many industrial workers across New York State were exposed to asbestos in the course of their work. This is particularly true for those who worked on shipyards, construction projects and power plants, textile mills, automotive brakes and other industries that utilized asbestos extensively in the 20th century.

Asbestos is often used in building materials like insulation, fireproofing, as well as drywall. In addition it was used to make various consumer goods, including roofing, flooring and pipes. Asbest was also used in a number of public institutions, such as schools, offices and hospitals. Unfortunately, these industries have closed, and many victims now suffer from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Mechanics, fabricators and welders who deal with vehicles and equipment containing asbestos or who work in older structures that are not equipped with asbestos abatement are 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 susceptible for exposure than other careers. Additionally, certain individuals who have worked in the military or participated 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 recently suffered symptoms of asbestos exposure should talk to an New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Reporting suspected asbestos exposure immediately is vital, as the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits are three years. However when it comes to asbestos-related diseases, this time is usually extended since it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma or other diseases 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 lawyer can help patients diagnosed with the disease to receive the financial compensation they need to help their families.

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos can cause cancer and lung diseases, like mesothelioma. When asbestos was widely used in American industries during the 20th century, the risks extended beyond workers who directly handled the material. The asbestos fibers are so small that they are able to stick to hair, clothing and even equipment. When blue-collar workers carried the dust home on their clothes, in their hair or on their work tools they did not realize that they exposed their children and their spouses to these harmful particles. This is known as secondary exposure.

Many people who never worked with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims are able to file lawsuits against companies that failed to warn of the risks that their products pose. An experienced lawyer can assist such victims to trace the origin of their exposure and to a defendant who could be held accountable for this negligence.

Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately if you are diagnosed with a condition related to asbestos. These lawyers can assist victims in obtaining compensation to cover medical expenses and other expenses. In addition, mesothelioma victims can bring wrongful-death claims against companies that did not fulfill their duty to warn about the dangers associated with their products.

For construction workers mesothelioma is particularly fatal. Because the construction industry typically involves demolitions, renovations, and re-building of old structures that contain asbestos-containing materials, they are at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness.

Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, the symptoms can be treated with medications. These medications can boost the chance of survival and increase the quality of life for those who suffer from it. However, these treatments can be costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.

New Jersey, as well as other states have passed laws that allow spouses of asbestos workers hold negligent employers responsible for their illnesses. In order to be successful in these claims, the victims must show that the defendant's negligence was responsible for exposure to asbestos. This is a daunting task when mesothelioma and lung cancer, and similar conditions have a long latency of 30 years or more.

Homeowners

You could be entitled to compensation if you developed a lung condition like mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the company that exposed you to asbestos, or you could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. A New York asbestos lawyer can help you determine the best course of action.

While asbestos isn't mined or processed in America, it can be present in many 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 for ceilings, pipes roof shingles, siding, and ceilings. Other asbestos claim-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.

Asbestos fibers can be released into the air when these materials are disturbed. Disturbing these materials can also cause the fibers to stick to clothing, which poses a risk of secondhand exposure to other people. Homeowners who are remodeling their homes should be able to have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered, it should be checked by a certified professional prior to being removed.

Homeowners shouldn't attempt to take samples of their own materials. Asbestos testing is a complicated process, and taking samples without proper instruction could lead to health risks for the homeowner and anyone else living in the vicinity. If the asbestos-containing material is in good condition and isn't disturbed, a professional who is trained can advise that it be left in its place.

Asbestos-related illnesses are extremely painful and abrasive, but they are treatable. An experienced asbestos lawyer can help victims and their families by filing an action for compensation against negligent builders as well as employers and product manufacturers. Contact a New York asbestos lawyer today if you or someone close to suffers from an asbestos-related illness. Our lawyers are ready to review your case for no cost, and we do not receive any compensation unless we collect money for you. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.