Compensation For Asbestos Exposure
Workers who work with asbestos regularly are at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses. This includes firefighters, construction workers, and those who live in older buildings with asbestos products.
Compensation for asbestos exposure can assist with medical expenses, lost wages, and travel costs. An experienced lawyer can help victims file a suit against the responsible companies or manufacturers.
Work History
Asbestos was utilized in the past to create a variety of products due to its durability and resistance to fire. It was used to line steam engines and ships, in drywall insulation, in paper products, cement, gaskets, and roofing materials. Industrial workers were exposed to asbestos through mining, milling and the production of asbestos-containing products. Gulfport asbestos attorneys in the 1960s and 1970s but then decreased due to safety regulations for workers and the decline in industrial use.
Those who worked directly with asbestos are at most risk of developing mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses. They deal with large quantities of the material on a regular basis and might inhale or inhale asbestos fibers while handling the products. Construction workers, shipyard workers, asbestos abatement contractors, and custodial or maintenance workers are all high-risk jobs.
Even those with jobs that are low-risk are susceptible to mesothelioma owing to occupational asbestos exposure. The reason is that asbestos-related diseases have long latency periods. Engineers, farmers and hairdressers are among the low-risk workers.
Veterans of the military are at the highest risk of mesothelioma because of their occupational asbestos exposure. The Navy used asbestos extensively from 1930 and 1970, so sailors were exposed to the substance while aboard ships at sea and while constructing and maintaining naval facilities on land. About 30 percent of mesothelioma cases are filed by veterans. Family members of these veterans could file mesothelioma claims.
In addition to those who are directly exposed to asbestos, others who are at risk of mesothelioma and other related diseases are those who live near asbestos-related sites. Secondhand exposure can occur when workers carry asbestos-containing fibers home on their skin or clothing. Secondhand exposure can also occur when children play in contaminated areas in which workers have been. It's also the case for those who live near asbestos mines and processing plants. Many victims of mesothelioma have filed lawsuits against these companies to obtain compensation. The lawsuits could help pay for medical bills and lost wages.
Medical Records
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once coveted for its fire-resistant and long-lasting properties. Before the federal government began regulating asbestos in the 1970s, it was widely used in a range of household and in business. Asbestos is a toxic material that can cause serious health issues. If you have worked with asbestos or feel that you've been exposed to the toxic substance, it is essential to keep a record of your medical records so that your physician can watch for symptoms of asbestos-related ailments.
The majority of people who suffer from asbestos-related diseases had direct exposure to the material in their jobs. It can be caused by work in industries such as shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, power plants, mines and more. Asbestos fibers are able to be inhaled into the lungs, where they cause scarring of lung tissue that is known as asbestosis. This condition can lead to breathing difficulty, and it can be a prelude to mesothelioma or other lung cancers.
The lungs are a complex organ with numerous passageways. The main airways, the bronchi are divided into smaller and narrower passageways which eventually create tiny sacs that contain oxygen-rich blood cell called alveoli. These cells form the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity. When asbestos is inhaled, the fibers can cause damage to these tissues and cause irritation to the respiratory and circulatory systems.
Indirect exposure to asbestos may also occur, and is similar to secondhand smoke. Workers and military personnel who handled asbestos-containing products often brought asbestos-containing materials to their homes on their clothing and skin. Family members who wash these clothing are also at risk.
Exposure to asbestos can also occur if the material is disturbed during the use of products, demolition work and home or building re-models and repairs or during natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and tsunamis. Asbestos-containing materials can be blown into the air during these events and contaminate their surroundings.
Veterans who served in the Navy or other branches of the military during the 1930s and the early 1980s are at a particularly high risk for asbestos exposure. They may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Our team is available to help these veterans build strong VA claims for benefits, which include compensation from trust funds.
Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses offer professional opinions in court cases that help the jury reach a decision. They are chosen due to their expertise and knowledge of particular area. Experts may also have specialized education or training. They can explain to jurors things that aren't commonly known. For example, why a screw is different from other screws or how asbestos exposure could cause a medical condition.
Asbestos experts may analyze your work history and your job duties to determine if you might have been exposed to asbestos during your work. They typically have experience in industrial hygiene or occupational health and safety. They can testify to the equipment you use at your workplace and what materials may have been contaminated by asbestos. They can also provide information into the asbestos removal or testing methods that could have been employed at your workplace.
Medical experts are also vital in the success of your case. They will review your medical files and conduct physical exams to assess whether there is a connection between your asbestos exposure, and your condition, for instance mesothelioma. They will also provide insight into your prognosis and time expectancy.
In the end, medical and economic experts will assess the financial impact of your accident. They can help the jury to understand how the asbestos diagnosis affected your family and you. They can also determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
Some asbestos lawsuits include claims of negligence or inability to warn. This is typically the case when employers are liable for exposing their employees to asbestos. The companies were aware of the dangers of asbestos however, they chose to hide the risks from the public and their employees. Due to these lapses, people were exposed to asbestos in the workplace, which led to serious health issues including mesothelioma.
The process of identifying and vetting potential experts may be daunting, but having an early start on this process can save you time and money down the road. This will also ensure that your asbestos lawyer has access to the most experienced and respected experts in the field.
Documentation
Patients suffering from an asbestos-related condition have legal rights to receive compensation. However, making an claim requires a lot of documentation to prove exposure to asbestos in the workplace or other setting. The information could be gathered from a variety of sources and should be carefully compiled.
For instance, victims must have their complete work history, including the dates they spent at each job. Also, they should note the machines and tasks they used. This is vital in determining if you are at risk of developing mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related illness. If possible, the victims should also note down the names of coworkers who could serve as witnesses in the case.
It is essential to record whether the employer took steps to avoid exposure. If they did not, it could indicate that they are accountable for the illness of the victim. For instance, if an employer knew that their workers were exposed to asbestos and did not provide the proper safety equipment or follow the standards of industry, this would be a strong proof of negligence.
If an asbestos company failed to warn its employees about the dangers of asbestos, or to instruct the employees correctly on how to use asbestos-containing products, this is also a strong proof of negligence. In addition, if someone was exposed to asbestos for many years or even decades, it is a strong indicator that they could have mesothelioma-related claims.
A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims in gathering this evidence and then compile it into a claim for financial compensation. This compensation could assist in resolving medical expenses, lost income, and other intangible costs associated with asbestos-related diagnoses.
Many people who have been exposed asbestos are unaware of their legal rights. Some people may think that mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease, developed too long ago for them to seek compensation. Others worry they can't file a lawsuit since the companies that are responsible for their asbestos exposure no longer exist.
These myths can cause delays in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, or an asbestos trust fund claim. It is essential that victims and their family members contact a mesothelioma lawyer immediately.