Compensation For Asbestos Exposure
Workers who regularly work with asbestos are at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses. This includes firefighters, construction workers and those who worked in older buildings with asbestos-related materials.
Compensation for asbestos exposure may help with medical expenses, lost wages, and travel expenses. An experienced lawyer can help victims bring a lawsuit against responsible manufacturers and companies.
Work History
In the past asbestos was utilized in a wide range of manufacturing products because of its durability and resistance to fire. It was utilized in the lining of steam engines, as well in paper insulation and drywall products. The mining, milling and production of asbestos products led to high levels of exposure for industrial workers. Heavy exposures reached their peak between the 1960s and 1970s and then declined due to safety rules for workers and a decline in industrial use.
Those who worked directly with asbestos are at most risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. These people handle asbestos regularly and may inhale fibers or ingest them while handling the product. Construction workers, shipyard workers, asbestos abatement contractor, and custodial or maintenance workers are all high-risk jobs.
Even those with jobs that are low-risk are susceptible to mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace. The time between asbestos-related diseases is lengthy. People who work in occupations with low risk include farmers, engineers and hairdressers.
Veterans of the military face the highest risk of developing mesothelioma due to their high occupational asbestos exposure. The Navy used asbestos extensively from 1930 to 1970, and sailors were exposed while on ships, as well as while building and maintaining naval facilities on land. About 30 percent of mesothelioma claims are filed by veterans. Families of these veterans could also bring mesothelioma lawsuits.
In addition to those who work directly with asbestos, others who are at risk of mesothelioma and other related illnesses are those who live near asbestos sites. Exposure to asbestos can be a result of secondhand exposure when workers carry asbestos fibers home on their skin or clothing. Secondhand exposure can also occur when children play in contaminated areas where workers have been. The same is true of those who live near asbestos mines or processing factories. Many mesothelioma patients have filed lawsuits against these companies to seek compensation. These lawsuits can be used to pay for medical expenses and lost wages.
Medical Records
Asbestos is a mineral found naturally that was once coveted for its fire-resistant and durable qualities. It was utilized in a variety of products used in businesses and homes before the federal government began regulating asbestos use in the 1970s. Warwick asbestos attorneys is toxic and can cause serious health issues. Keep your medical records up-to-date if you have been exposed to asbestos or are concerned that you might have been exposed to asbestos. This will allow your doctor to look for signs of asbestos-related diseases.
The majority of people who suffer from asbestos-related diseases were exposed to asbestos while at work. This can be a result of working in fields such as shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, power plants and mines. Asbestos fibres can be inhaled and cause scarring of lung tissue called asbestosis. This condition can cause breathing difficulties and can be a cause of lung cancers such as mesothelioma.
The lungs are complex organs with many passageways. The main airways called the bronchi branch off into smaller and narrower passageways which eventually result in tiny sacs containing alveoli, which are oxygen-rich blood cells. These cells form the lung's lining and chest cavity. Inhaling asbestos fibers may cause damage to these tissues, and irritate respiratory and circulatory systems in the lung.
Indirect exposure to asbestos may also happen, and is similar to secondhand smoke. Military personnel and workers who handled asbestos-containing products often brought asbestos-containing materials to their homes on their clothing and skin. Family members who wash these clothes are also at risk.
Asbestos may be exposed when the material is impacted by natural disasters like a hurricane, tsunami, earthquake, or tornado. Asbestos-containing products can become airborne in these situations and cause contamination to their surroundings.
Veterans who were in the Navy or other branches of the military between the 1930s and early 1980s are particularly at risk of being exposed to asbestos. These individuals may qualify for financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Our team is ready to assist veterans in establishing strong VA claims for benefits that include compensation from trust funds.
Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses are professionals who offer their opinions to help the jury reach a decision in court cases. These experts are chosen because of their special skill and knowledge or experience in the subject matter. Experts also have special education or training. They can provide the jury details that are not commonly known, such as why a screw's design differs from other screws, or why a medical condition was caused by exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos experts may look into your past work experience and job obligations to determine whether you could have been exposed to asbestos on the job. These experts typically have a background with industrial hygiene or occupational safety and health. They can testify on the equipment that you use in your workplace as well as the items that could be contaminated with asbestos. They can also give insight into asbestos removal or testing methods that might have been employed at your workplace.
Medical experts are also essential to the success of your case. They will go through your medical files and conduct physical tests to determine whether there is a connection between your asbestos exposure, and your condition, for instance mesothelioma. They can also provide insights into your prognosis and expectation.
Lastly, economic and medical experts will evaluate the financial impact of your injury. They can assist jurors to understand how your asbestos-related diagnosis has affected you, your family and your daily routine. These experts can also calculate the amount of compensation you're entitled to.
Some asbestos lawsuits include claims of negligence or inability to warn. This is the norm when employers are liable for exposing their employees asbestos. They were aware of asbestos's dangers, but chose to conceal the dangers to their employees and the general public. Due to these failures, victims were exposed to asbestos in the workplace and this exposed them to serious health problems including mesothelioma.
Finding and vetting potential experts can seem overwhelming, but getting an early start in this process will 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 diagnosed with asbestos-related ailments are entitled to compensation under the law. However, making a claim requires extensive documentation to demonstrate exposure to asbestos in a work or other setting. This information can come from a variety of sources and should be meticulously collected.
The victim must be able to give a complete account of their employment including dates. Additionally, they should record the tasks and machines that they worked on. This is crucial in determining if you are at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness. If possible, victims are advised to note down the names and contact information of any coworkers who might be capable of testifying in the case.
It is essential to note whether the employer took measures to avoid exposure. If they did not then this could suggest that they are liable for the victim's illness. For instance, if an employer knew that workers were exposed to asbestos but failed to provide the proper safety equipment or adhere to industry standards, then this would be strong proof of negligence.
In the same way, if an asbestos company failed to warn its employees of the dangers of their products or properly train employees on how to deal with them, this could be a strong evidence of negligence. Furthermore, if an individual was exposed to asbestos for a long time or even for decades, this is a strong indication that they could have a mesothelioma claim.
An attorney for mesothelioma can assist victims collect this evidence and compile them into a claim for compensation. This compensation could help offset medical expenses as well as lost wages and other intangibles arising from an asbestos-related diagnoses.
Many people who have been exposed asbestos aren't aware of their legal rights. They might think that their mesothelioma or another asbestos-related condition developed too long ago to seek compensation. Others fear that they will not be able to bring a suit because the companies responsible for their exposure no longer operate.
These myths can cause delays in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim. It is important that victims and their family members consult with a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as they can.