An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Military Veterans Suffer From Mesothelioma

Asbestos victims can suffer from mesothelioma and lung cancer. These illnesses might not be apparent for decades. An experienced New York asbestos lawyer could assist those suffering from this debilitating condition obtain compensation for their losses.

An attorney could make a claim for asbestos compensation against the owners of work sites or buildings as well as manufacturers and other parties who are responsible for exposing workers as well as consumers to the deadly mineral.

Military Personnel

Across all branches of the military, asbestos was used extensively from the 1930s to the 1970s. It added resistance to fire as well as heat insulation and tensile strength to vessels, aircrafts, bases and vehicles. Veterans who worked with asbestos-containing materials or who were in close proximity to them are at greater risk of developing cancers such as mesothelioma. 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 a common ingredient on Navy ships and also in the armored vehicles of the Navy. It was used in boiler rooms and engine room as an insulator, and then ropes were made on boats. It was also used to make flooring, bedding, and ceiling tiles. As these products deteriorated they released toxic asbestos fibers into the air. When asbestos dust is breathed in, it could cause serious health issues including mesothelioma as well as lung cancer.

Army veterans are also at risk of developing mesothelioma due to their exposure asbestos. Although the Army had stopped using new asbestos products in the latter part of the 1970s, a lot of Army bases were still stocked with years of asbestos-based products that were not replaced or removed. Army personnel were exposed to asbestos at times while on base as they worked on military vehicles and equipment such as brake components and electrical wiring. The harmful mineral was also present in the Army's barracks as well as living quarters.

Additionally, soldiers were deployed to war zones and occupied buildings that were in the process of being bombed or burned down. These places were often filled with large quantities of asbestos that were burned before being released into the air. Veterans inhaled asbestos and suffered serious health consequences. A knowledgeable asbestos attorney can assist veterans to obtain financial compensation to pay for medical expenses including lost wages and home treatment and pain and suffering, as well as funeral and burial costs if they have mesothelioma-related diagnosis. A successful claim can also compensate veterans for their family's losses if a loved one died from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. A lawyer who specializes in asbestos law may be able to assist family members to sue negligent firms that sold and made asbestos-related products.

Industrial Workers

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

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

Mechanics, fabricators, and welders who work with equipment and vehicles that contain asbestos or work in older buildings without asbestos abatement are the ones 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 at risk for exposure than other professions. Certain people who have served in the military, or in the relief and recovery efforts following natural disasters are at risk for future exposure when they go into damaged buildings.

Anyone who has recently suffered symptoms of asbestos exposure should talk to a New York mesothelioma lawyer immediately. It is essential to report any suspected exposure immediately, as the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years after an incident. If asbestos is the cause of disease, this time frame may be extended as it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma or other diseases to develop.

When a person is found to have a disease such as mesothelioma, or asbestosis it can have a significant impact on their family and loved ones. A New York mesothelioma law firm can assist those who have been diagnosed with the financial compensation they need to support their families and live a life of comfort.

Secondhand Exposure

Asbestos is a highly dangerous mineral that can cause lung cancer and lung diseases like mesothelioma. When asbestos was widely used in American industries in the 20th century, these dangers went beyond workers who handled the substance. The asbestos legal fibers are so small that they tend to stick to hair, clothing and even equipment. When blue-collar workers carried the dust home with them on their clothes or hair, or on tools from work they did not realize that they exposed their spouses and children to these hazardous particles. This is referred to as secondary exposure.

Many people who have never worked with asbestos are now diagnosed with mesothelioma. These victims are able to sue companies that did not warn about the risks associated with their products. An experienced attorney can help such victims to trace the source of their exposure and to a defendant that may be held responsible for this carelessness.

Contact an asbestos exposure lawyer immediately when you're diagnosed with a condition related to asbestos compensation. These attorneys can help victims to discover compensation sources to cover medical bills and other expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma sufferers can pursue wrongful death claims against companies that did not fulfill their obligation to warn consumers about the dangers of their products.

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

While there is no cure for mesothelioma the symptoms can be controlled with medication. These drugs can improve a victim's quality of life and increase the chances of survival. These medical treatments can be costly. Obtaining compensation is often difficult.

Fortunately, New Jersey and other states have passed laws that permit spouses of asbestos workers to hold negligent employers liable for their ailments. To be successful, the victims must prove that the defendant's negligence contributed to their asbestos exposure. This can be a daunting task when mesothelioma and lung cancer and other conditions have a long latency of 30 years or more.

Homeowners

If you have developed mesothelioma, a lung disease, due to exposure to asbestos, you could have a claim for compensation. You could be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund claim or through filing an injury lawsuit against the company that exposed you to asbestos. A seasoned New York asbestos attorney can help you determine the best way to proceed.

While asbestos is not extracted or processed in the United States anymore, it is still present in many buildings and homes. It was used for insulation, particularly for older buildings that needed to withstand fires and high temperatures. It was also used in building materials, such as pipes, ceilings and roofing shingles. Other asbestos-containing products included flooring, paper products, felt, and fake fireplace embers. It was also used in automotive friction products (brake, clutch and transmission pads) and heat-resistant clothing.

When these materials are disturbed, airborne asbestos fibers may be released. In addition, the process of agitating these materials may cause the fibers to stick to clothes, posing the risk of exposure to other people. Homeowners who are remodeling their homes should have their homes examined for asbestos. If asbestos is discovered it must be tested before removal by a qualified professional.

Homeowners should not attempt to take samples of materials themselves. Asbestos testing is a complicated procedure, and taking samples without proper training can result in health risks for the homeowner and anyone else in the area. A trained professional can suggest that asbestos-containing products should be kept to themselves if they are in good shape and won't be disturbed.

Asbestos-related diseases can be extremely painful and dangerous, however they can be treated. An asbestos lawyer with experience can assist victims and their families file a lawsuit against negligent building owners and employers, as well as the product manufacturers. Contact an New York asbestos lawyer today if you or someone close to you has an asbestos-related disease. Our attorneys are available to review your case for no cost, and we will not charge unless we recover money for you. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.