An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos sufferers often suffer from ailments like lung cancer or mesothelioma. These conditions 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 building or worksite owners and manufacturers, as well as other individuals accountable for exposing workers and consumers to this deadly mineral.

Military Personnel

From the 1930s to the 1970s, asbestos was widely used throughout the military. It provided the ability to resist fire as well as heat insulation, and the strength of tensile to bases, aircrafts, vessels and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing materials or were in their vicinity are at a higher chance of developing cancers such as mesothelioma. The Navy is responsible for the highest number of 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 used in the engine room and boiler rooms to act as an insulation and was ropes were made on boats. It was even incorporated into flooring, bedding and ceiling tiles. When these products deteriorated they released asbestos-containing toxic fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos dust could cause serious health problems like mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Army veterans are also at risk of mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos. Although the Army has stopped using asbestos-based products in the latter part of the 1970s, a lot of Army bases had years of asbestos-based products that were not replaced or removed. While at the base, Army personnel were exposed to asbestos through their work on military vehicles and equipment, such as brake and electric wiring. The mineral was found in the living and barracks areas of the Army.

Additionally, soldiers were deployed to places of war and occupied buildings that were in the process of being bombed or destroyed. These sites often contained large quantities of asbestos, which were then burned before being released into the air. The veterans breathed in asbestos litigation and suffered the severe health issues. A knowledgeable asbestos attorney can assist veterans to obtain financial compensation to pay for medical expenses, lost wages as well as home care, pain and suffering and funeral and burial costs if they have a mesothelioma diagnosis. Veterans could also be compensated for the losses of their families if they lost a loved one to mesothelioma, or a different asbestos settlement-related illness. An asbestos attorney could also help family members file an action against negligent companies that manufactured and sold dangerous asbestos-related products.

Industrial Workers

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

Asbestos was commonly used in various building materials, including insulation, fireproof coatings, and drywall. Asbestos was also used in various consumer products, such as roofing, flooring and pipes. A lot of public institutions also utilized asbestos, such as hospitals, schools, offices and sewage treatment plants. Unfortunately, these industries have closed and a lot of victims suffer from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Mechanics, fabricators and welders who deal with machinery and vehicles that contain asbestos or who work in older structures that are not equipped with asbestos abatement are the 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.

OSHA has recognized that exposure to these kinds of jobs is greater than many other occupations. Additionally, those who have worked in the military or participated in the rescue and recovery efforts after natural disasters are more at risk of being exposed in the future when they go into damaged buildings.

Anyone who has had symptoms of asbestos exposure in the past must contact a New York Mesothelioma Lawyer immediately. Reporting suspected asbestos exposure immediately is crucial, as the statutes of limitations for personal injury claims are three years. If asbestos is the cause of disease, this time period can be extended because it could take as long as 50 years for mesothelioma and other diseases to develop.

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

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos can cause cancer as well as lung diseases, including mesothelioma. Asbestos was widely used in American industries in the 20th century. The dangers of asbestos went beyond those who handled it directly. The asbestos fibers are so tiny that they tend to stick to hair, clothing, and equipment. When blue-collar workers carried the dust home with them on their clothes, in their hair or on the tools they used at work they did not realize that they exposed their children and their spouses to these dangerous particles. This was referred to as secondary exposure.

As a result, many people who never handled asbestos in the workplace are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The victims may bring lawsuits against companies that failed warn about the risks 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 accountable for their inattention.

When a person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition, it is important to speak with an asbestos exposure attorney immediately. These attorneys can help victims locate compensation sources to pay for medical bills and other expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma patients may pursue wrongful death claims against companies that did not fulfill their obligation to warn consumers about the dangers of their products.

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

There is no cure for Mesothelioma. However you can treat the symptoms by taking medication. These medications can improve a victim's quality of life and increase the likelihood of survival. However, these medical treatments are costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.

Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws that permit spouses of asbestos workers to sue negligent employers for their illnesses. To be successful, victims must show that the defendant's negligence contributed to their asbestos exposure. This is a challenging task since mesothelioma as well as lung cancer have a latency period of up to 30 years.

Homeowners

You could be entitled to compensation if you have a lung condition like mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. You could make a personal injury claim against the company which exposed you to asbestos, or you may be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim. An experienced New York asbestos attorney can help you determine the best course of action.

Although asbestos isn't mined or processed in the United States, it can be found in many buildings and homes. It was used for insulation, especially in older buildings that needed to withstand high temperatures and fires. It was also used for building materials such as pipes, ceilings and roof shingles. Other asbestos-containing products included flooring products, paper products felt and fake fireplace embers. It was also used in automotive friction products (brake, clutch and transmission pads) and clothing that was heat-resistant.

Asbestos fibers may be released into the air when these materials are disturbed. Disturbing these materials can also cause the fibers to cling to clothing, creating the risk of exposure to others. Homeowners who are remodeling their homes should be able to have their homes inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered and tested, it should be removed before removal by a qualified professional.

Homeowners should never try to take samples of materials themselves. Asbestos is a complex material to test, and attempting to collect samples without proper training could put homeowners and others living in the vicinity to take on grave health risks. A trained professional can suggest that asbestos-containing materials should be kept to themselves provided they are in good condition and will not be disturbed.

Asbestos-related diseases can be severe and painful, but they can be treated. A lawyer experienced in asbestos can assist victims and their families file a lawsuit against negligent employers and building owners as well as the product manufacturers. Contact an New York asbestos lawyer today if you or someone close to suffers from an asbestos-related illness. Our attorneys will review your case at no cost and we won't get paid unless you are paid. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.