Compensation For Asbestos Exposure
Workers who regularly work with asbestos could be at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses. This includes firefighters, construction workers, and those who live in older structures with asbestos-containing materials.
Compensation for asbestos exposure can assist with medical expenses, lost wages and travel expenses. A skilled lawyer can help victims bring a lawsuit against responsible companies and manufacturers.
Work History
In the past, asbestos was used in a variety of manufacturing products because of its strength and fire resistance. It was utilized in the lining of ships and steam engines, as well in paper and drywall insulation products. Lake Forest asbestos lawyer were exposed to asbestos through mining, milling, and production of asbestos-containing products. The highest levels of exposure occurred between the 1960s and 1970s and then dropped due to safety rules for workers and declining industrial use.
The most high risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses is for those who have been directly involved with asbestos. These people handle asbestos regularly and could inhale asbestos fibers or ingest them while handling the product. The most risky occupations are shipyard workers, construction workers asbestos abatement contractors, custodial and maintenance workers.
Even those with jobs that are low-risk are susceptible to mesothelioma owing to occupational asbestos exposure. This is because asbestos-related illnesses have long latency periods. Engineers, farmers and hairdressers are among the workers at low risk.
However, military veterans are the group most at risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of their high level of occupational exposure to asbestos. The Navy employed asbestos extensively between 1930 and 1970, so sailors were exposed material while on vessels at sea, as well as when building and maintaining naval facilities on land. These veterans make up around 30% of all mesothelioma cases filed. Families of veterans may also be able to file mesothelioma lawsuits.
People living near asbestos-contaminated areas are also at risk for mesothelioma, as well as other diseases linked to asbestos. This kind of exposure is called secondhand exposure, and it occurs when workers bring home asbestos fibers on their skin or clothing. Secondhand exposure is also possible when children play in contaminated areas where workers have been. This is also the case for those who live near asbestos mines and processing facilities. Many victims of mesothelioma have filed lawsuits against these companies to seek compensation. These lawsuits can be used to pay for the cost of medical treatment and lost wages.
Medical Records
Asbestos, a mineral that occurs naturally was once a popular choice for its fire resistance and durability. Before the federal government began controlling asbestos in the 1970s, it was utilized in a variety of products used in homes and businesses. As a matter of fact, asbestos can be dangerous to health, and a range of serious diseases have been linked to exposure to the mineral. It is extremely toxic. If you have worked with asbestos or are concerned that you've been exposed to the harmful material, it is important to keep a record of your medical records to allow your doctor to watch for symptoms of asbestos-related diseases.
The majority of those who develop asbestos-related illnesses had direct exposure to the material in their jobs. It can be caused by working in industries like shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, power plants, mines and more. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled into the lungs, where they cause scarring of lung tissue known as asbestosis. This condition can cause breathing problems, and can be a prelude to mesothelioma cancer and other lung cancers.
The lungs is a complex organ with many passageways. The main airways, called bronchi, split into smaller and smaller passageways which eventually connect to tiny sacs of oxygen-rich blood cells called alveoli. These cells form the lung's lining as well as the chest cavity. When asbestos is inhaled the fibers may cause damage to these tissues and cause irritation to the circulatory and respiratory systems.
Indirect exposure to asbestos can also happen, and is similar to secondhand smoke. Workers and military personnel who handled asbestos-containing items often brought asbestos-containing materials home on their skin and clothing. Family members who washed these garments were also at risk of exposure.
Asbestos is a risk when the material is damaged by a natural disaster such as a hurricane tsunami, earthquake, or tornado. These kinds of events asbestos-containing materials may be released into the air and contaminate the environment around them.
Veterans who were in the Navy or other branches of the military during the 1930s and early 1980s are particularly at risk of exposure to asbestos. They could be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Our team is available to assist veterans in establishing solid VA claims for benefits that include compensation from trust funds.
Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses provide expert opinions in court cases that aid jurors in making an agreement. They are chosen due to their specific expertise or knowledge of specific areas. Experts might also have specialized training or educational qualifications. They can explain to the jury things that are not generally known. For instance, they can explain why a screw is different from other screws, or how asbestos exposure can cause a medical condition.
Asbestos experts will analyze your work background to determine if you've been exposed asbestos in your work. Most often, these experts have an education in industrial hygiene or occupational health and safety. They can testify about the equipment you use in your workplace, and also the materials may have been contaminated by asbestos. They can also provide insight into the asbestos removal or testing procedures that may have been employed at your workplace.
Medical experts can also be essential to the success of your case. They will review your medical records and perform physical exams to assess whether there is a link between your asbestos exposure, and your illness such as mesothelioma. They will also give you an idea of your life expectancy and prognosis.
Finally, medical and economic experts will evaluate your injury's financial impact. They can help the jurors comprehend the way your asbestos-related condition has affected your family, you and your life. These experts can also calculate the amount of compensation you're entitled to.
Certain asbestos lawsuits involve claims of negligence or failures to warn. This is typically the case when employers are responsible for exposing their employees to asbestos. They were aware of asbestos's dangers but chose to conceal these risks from their workers and the public. Because of these lapses, workers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace and this exposed them to serious health problems, including mesothelioma.
Finding and vetting potential experts could seem daunting, but getting an early start in this process will save you time and money later on. This will ensure that your asbestos lawyer will get the most skilled and respected experts in the field.
Documentation
Patients suffering from an asbestos-related disease have legal rights to compensation. To claim compensation you must submit a lengthy document to show that asbestos was present in the workplace or in a different setting. The information could come from a variety of sources, and needs to be meticulously compiling.
For instance, victims must have their complete work history, including dates they worked at each job. Additionally, they should record the equipment and tasks they worked with. This is important in determining the possibility of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. If they are able, patients should also write down the names of any colleagues who could serve as witnesses in the case.
It is essential to note whether the employer took steps to stop exposure. If they did not, it could indicate that they are responsible for the illness of the victim. If, for instance, an employer knew that workers were exposed to asbestos but did not provide proper safety equipment or adhere to industry standards, then this would be a clear evidence of negligence.
If an asbestos company failed to warn their employees about the dangers of asbestos, or to instruct employees properly on how to use these products, that would also be a compelling proof of negligence. Furthermore, if an individual was exposed to asbestos for years or even decades, it is a clear indication that they could have a mesothelioma claim.
A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims to gather evidence and then compile it into claims for financial compensation. This compensation could be used to pay for medical expenses in addition to lost wages and other intangibles arising from asbestos-related diseases.
Unfortunately, many who have been exposed to asbestos are not aware of their legal options. Some people might think that mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, developed too long ago for them to pursue compensation. Others are concerned that they won't be able to file a lawsuit since the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure are no longer in existence.
These myths could delay the filing of mesothelioma claims or asbestos trust fund claim. It is important that victims and their families contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.