An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos sufferers often suffer from ailments like lung cancer or mesothelioma that can take decades to show 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 owners of buildings or worksites and manufacturers, as well as other individuals accountable for exposing workers and customers to this dangerous mineral.

Military Personnel

From the 1930s through the 1970s, asbestos was extensively used throughout the military. It increased the resistance to fire, heat insulation, and tensile strengths of vessels, bases, aircrafts, and vehicles. Veterans of the military who have worked in or around asbestos-laden materials are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma and other cancers. The Navy is the one responsible for the greatest number of asbestos-related illness cases, but members of other branches of the military are as well at risk of exposure to this carcinogen.

Asbestos was used extensively on Navy ships and in the Navy's armored vehicles. It was used in boiler rooms and engine rooms as an insulator and woven into ropes on boats. It was even used in flooring, bedding, and ceiling tiles. As the materials deteriorated, they released asbestos-containing toxic fibers into the air. When asbestos dust is breathed in, it can cause serious health complications such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Army veterans also face mesothelioma risks because of their exposure to the dangerous substance. While the Army had stopped using new asbestos products in the late 1970s, many Army bases had decades of old asbestos-based materials that were not replaced or removed. During their time at the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos from working on military vehicles and other equipment, such as brake and electric wiring. The mineral was found in the living areas and barracks of the Army.

Soldiers also occupied buildings in zones of war that were destroyed or bombed. These buildings often contained large quantities of asbestos, which were then burned before being released into the air. Inhaling asbestos, these veterans suffered serious health consequences. An experienced asbestos attorney could assist veterans in obtaining financial compensation to cover medical expenses including lost wages as well as home treatment as well as funeral and burial costs if they have mesothelioma-related diagnosis. Veterans may also be compensated for the loss of their families in the event that someone close to them died from mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness. An asbestos attorney could also assist family members in filing a lawsuit against negligent companies who manufactured and sold the hazardous products.

Industrial Workers

Asbestos was a common substance used in the work of a lot of industrial workers across New York State. This is particularly relevant for those who worked in construction projects, shipyards, power plants, textile mills and brakes for cars.

Asbestos was frequently used in various building materials, including fireproof coatings, insulation and drywall. Additionally, it was used to make many consumer products, including flooring, roofing, cement and pipes. Asbest was also employed in many public institutions, such as hospitals, schools and offices. Unfortunately most of these industries have been shut down and the victims are suffering from a variety of devastating asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Industrial workers that are the most at risk of being exposed include mechanics, fabricators and welders who work with vehicles and equipment that contained asbestos, or who 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.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recognized that these types of jobs are more at risk for exposure than many other occupations. Some individuals who have served in the military, or in the rescue and recovery efforts after natural disasters are at risk of being exposed when they go into damaged buildings.

Anyone who has experienced the symptoms of asbestos exposure in the past must consult a New York Mesothelioma Lawyer immediately. Notifying asbestos exposure experts 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 is usually extended since it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma or other conditions to develop.

If someone is found to be suffering from a condition such as asbestosis or mesothelioma, it can have a devastating impact on their loved ones. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can assist those who have been diagnosed with the financial compensation required to provide for their families.

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos is an extremely hazardous mineral that could cause lung cancer and lung diseases like mesothelioma. When asbestos was used extensively in American industries during the 20th century, the dangers went beyond workers who handled the material. The asbestos fibers are small enough that they are able to stick to hair, clothing and even equipment. Blue-collar workers unknowingly exposed their spouses and kids to asbestos lawsuit dust when they brought home their hair, clothing, or equipment from work. This was referred to as secondary exposure.

Many people who have never had to work with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims can bring lawsuits against companies that failed warn about the dangers of their products. An experienced lawyer can assist such victims to trace the source of their exposure, and to a defendant who could be held responsible for this carelessness.

If a person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, it is important to consult an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately. They can assist victims to locate compensation sources to pay for medical bills and other expenses. Mesothelioma patients may also pursue claims for wrongful death against companies who did not warn of the risks their products could pose.

Construction workers are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma. Construction workers are more susceptible to asbestos-related illnesses since they typically renovate, demolish and rebuild old structures that contain asbestos materials.

There is no cure for Mesothelioma. However, you can treat the symptoms with medication. These medications can boost the likelihood of survival and enhance the quality of life of the patient. These treatments can be expensive. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.

Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws that allow 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. This can be a daunting job when mesothelioma or lung cancer, and other diseases have a long latency of 30 years or more.

Homeowners

You may be entitled to compensation if you have mesothelioma, a lung disease, due to asbestos exposure. You could file a personal injury lawsuit against the company who exposed you to asbestos, or you may be entitled to compensation through an asbestos lawsuit trust fund claim. A seasoned New York asbestos attorney can help you determine the best method to pursue.

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

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 the risk of exposure to other people. Homeowners who are renovating their properties must have their homes checked for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered, it should be tested before removal by a qualified professional.

Homeowners should never attempt to take samples of materials themselves. Asbestos testing is a complex process, and attempting to collect samples without proper training could cause health hazards for the homeowner as well as anyone else in the area. If the asbestos-containing material is in good condition and isn't disturbed, a certified professional can recommend that it be left alone.

Asbestos-related diseases can be painful and serious, but they can be treated. A lawyer experienced in asbestos can help victims and their families file a lawsuit against negligent building owners and employers as well as the product manufacturers. If you or someone you love has an asbestos-related illness, contact an experienced New York asbestos case attorney today. Our attorneys will review your case free of charge and we won't get paid unless you are paid. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.