Tag: asbestos

Asbestos is a building material and was used in all parts of manufacturing. Many materials, such as fiberglass insulation, were developed to replace asbestos, but companies that used asbestos ignored the safer alternatives because of their cost. Asbestos is similar to tobacco in that it was a known carcinogen and corporate executives ignored the danger in order to fatten their wallets. Asbestos is much more dangerous than cigarette smoke and the victims were largely exploited workers who were unaware of the serious health risks they faced everyday.  The first asbestos law suit was filed in 1929 and the first mesothelioma-related asbestos law suit was filed in the United States in 1966. Although this case was lost, another asbestos law suit was filed immediately for a co-worker of the first plaintiff and the plaintiff was awarded $80,000 for his victory. 

In 1973, The Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of spray-on asbestos insulation as an air pollutant hazard but it wasn’t until 1979 that all uses of asbestos were abandoned and the materials were banned altogether.  In 1978, an asbestos plant manager divulged that the policy in his company was not to discuss chest findings or other medical results suggesting a relationship between asbestos and mesothelioma.  Because of this, a number of documents emerged clearly demonstrating fraud and conspiracy showing that as early as the 1930s, companies had made direct efforts to hide the dangers of asbestos from their workers.

Even as late as 1999, courts were finding that companies has disregarded the effects their use of asbestos were having on their workers and kept its’ use a secret until discovered by the federal courts.  Most of the asbestos companies have since gone bankrupt and the federal government has set aside funds for any victims and their families who have yet to file an asbestos law suit claim monetary compensation for their exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer that is a direct result from being exposed to asbestos.  If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you may need an asbestos attorney.  An asbestos attorney can help you with your case and help you seek and recover any damages that are owed to you.

Since Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos, if you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, then it is a fact that you were exposed to asbestos.  If this was on your job, your employer may be liable for allowing you to be exposed to this harmful toxin in the first place.  An asbestos attorney will look over your case and help you determine if any wrongdoing was performed.  If it is determined that your employer did not act according to law, your asbestos attorney will agree to take your case and represent you.

An asbestos attorney can help you if you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, however they can also assist those whose loved ones may have died as a result of having Mesothelioma.  If you’ve lost a loved one to Mesothelioma, then you may want to consider contacting an asbestos attorney as well.  An attorney can help you recover any damages that you are entitled to, due to the fact that your loved one succumbed to Mesothelioma.

Since Mesothelioma usually appears decades after the initial exposure to asbestos, it is important to contact an attorney to handle your case.   There will need to be a lot of information provided regarding former employers, work history, and a detailed health screening to make certain where the exposure to asbestos first took place. Once these facts are established, an attorney can help you decide the best course of action to take.  Should you need to recover damages, your attorney will guide you through every step of the way.

Asbestos is a mineral compound once famous for its heat-resistant qualities.  The ancient Greeks called it the miracle mineral because of its soft pliability and its strong resistance to heat.  They christened the mineral asbestos, which means inextinguishable.

Throughout the ages, asbestos has been prized for its extremely effective insulating qualities as well as its resistance to damage from chemicals and electricity.  It is excellent for soundproofing, possesses a high tensile strength, and can be used to manufacture all sorts of products and building materials used in industry and the home.

Asbestos is composed of long, fibrous crystals that are remarkably lightweight and easy to adapt to many industrial uses.

The mineral was once widely used in the building industry for insulation, siding and roofing shingles.  These building materials produced homes, schools, hospitals, churches, and many other public and private buildings whose manufacture spanned at least 100 years.

 Almost every industry and the military used it for electrical insulation.  The automotive industry made brake shoes and gaskets with it.

In the home, flame-retardant fabrics made from asbestos were made into draperies, upholstery, carpeting, bedding, and clothing.  Electrical ovens and other heat-producing appliances were insulated with asbestos.

In spite of its many uses, there is one incredibly tragic problem with asbestos.  Those long, lightweight crystals become airborne during the manufacturing process, entering the lungs and respiratory passages of anyone in the vicinity.

And anyone doing the laundry or cleaning up after someone who has worked with the substance is at risk, too.  So are people who handle the fabrics made from asbestos.

Those airborne particles lead to a crippling respiratory condition known as asbestosis, which often progresses to mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavity.

The link between asbestos and deadly mesothelioma were known as long ago as 1898 but manufacturers were unwilling at that time to find alternative materials or safeguard workers’ health.

The first lawsuit filed against a manufacturer of asbestos products didn’t happen until 1929.  Since then, asbestos attorneys and their clients have fought long and hard for safer working conditions and safer products.

Asbestos attorneys have been working with exposure cases around the world since the 1960s.  As a result of their efforts, the use of asbestos has been virtually eliminated in the industrialized world.

Unfortunately, the hazard of asbestos is insidious, with symptoms of exposure often remaining hidden for decades.  By the time diagnosis is made, the patient is often too close to death for any form of treatment other than comfort care.

Even with the halted use of the mineral, asbestos attorneys remain very active, working on the behalf of ill employees seeking restitution and medical care from the employers who used asbestos.

No longer as famous for its heat-resistant qualities as for its deadly consequences, asbestos remains in the news and controversial.

Manufacturers have billions of dollars allocated for assistance to stricken employees but they are reluctant to release payment without tenacious intervention by the patients’ asbestos attorneys.

Asbestos attorneys stay busy fighting objections to medical diagnoses, degree of culpability, and allocation of monetary awards.

Many years ago, a popular building material called asbestos was found to cause cancer and other illnesses, and those who are affected by such diseases will often seek the legal advice of an asbestos law firm. Before it was banned in the mid 1980s, asbestos was widely used in commercial and residential buildings, because it is a good insulator. It can be found in insulation blankets, fireproofing, stoves, joint compound, vinyl tiles, and many other products made before the ban.

There are several different diseases caused by asbestos, though the average asbestos law firm deals largely with the most common illness, which is called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is almost exclusively associated with exposure to asbestos. This disease is characterized by the formation of malignant tumors on the mesothelium, which is a coating that covers most of the internal organs, shielding them from harm. Often, mesothelioma attacks the lungs first, and then proceeds to the rest of the organs if it is not treated.

Other diseases that an asbestos law firm may handle include asbestos warts, pleural plaques, and diffuse pleural thickening. Asbestos warts are growths that form around pieces of asbestos that have lodged into the skin, and they are not malignant in nature. Pleural plaques and diffuse pleural thickening are both characterized by benign growths on the surfaces of the lungs. While pleural plaques do not cause any harm to the person affected by the illness, diffuse pleural thickening can possibly have an ill effect on the function of the lungs, and may reduce a person’s overall quality of life.

The goal of any asbestos law firm is to provide people who suffer from such illnesses with some form of compensation that will help to alleviate the financial, physical, and emotional effects of the condition. There are many firms that specialize in the litigation of such cases. When selecting among them, one should research the previous cases handled by the particular asbestos law firm, the percentage of favorable judgments, and the fees associated with the processing of the case.

If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, then you may want to consider speaking with an asbestos lawyer. Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer that is a direct response from exposure to asbestos.  Unfortunately, Mesothelioma doesn’t develop until many decades after the initial exposure.  Therefore, there are many people who are suffering or just being diagnosed with Mesothelioma today, as a response to their exposure many years ago.  An asbestos lawyer can help you determine if the conditions regarding your acquiring Mesothelioma warrant legal action, and if so, they can represent you.

The symptoms of Mesothelioma include shortness of breath, labored breathing, pain in the chest, wheezing, loss of appetite, losing weight, dry cough, being easily fatigued, and fever.  If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your health care provider immediately.

Today, many people have recovered damages and won lawsuits thanks to the hard work performed by lawyers.  If you think your case may warrant civil damages, then you should contact an asbestos lawyer immediately.

An asbestos lawyer may represent someone other than the person who was diagnosed with Mesothelioma.  For instance, if a widower lost her husband to Mesothelioma, she may be able to recover damages for her husband’s death.  She should consider speaking to an asbestos lawyer as well.

An asbestos lawyer will look into your situation and will ask the questions regarding why your or your spouse were not forewarned that the dangers of working with asbestos were great.  If negligence is found and can be proved, then you and your spouse deserve to be compensated.  Mesothelioma is a life threatening condition that is very painful and greatly affects the sufferer’s quality of life.  A qualified and experienced Mesothelioma or asbestos attorney can help you through the legal aspect of your case, and assist your claim in receiving financial compensation for your damages.

If you have had or currently have lung problems that you believe are attributed due to exposure to asbestos you should contact an asbestos lawyer to see if there is any legal action you can take to reimburse you for your health issues.  Asbestos lawyers and asbestos in general is sometimes brushed off as money hungry people looking for a quick buck.  The truth is however is that asbestos is a very serious health risk.  Studies have shown than even only 1 to 5 years of exposure put you at a 17% risk of lung disease.  The lung disease most often affiliated with asbestos is called mesothelioma which is unfortunately a very aggressive cancer than is general fatal.

Often asbestos litigation is successful for the person exposed to asbestos due to the asbestos company hid facts about asbestos and just how deadly it is.  W.R. Grace was an asbestos company in particular that withheld an internal study that showed the horrifying truth behind asbestos.  Their study showed that people with 21 to 25 years of experience with the company had a 92% chance of having lung disease.  It’s findings like these that give asbestos lawyers the information they need to help win cases to help repay people for their losses.

It’s been said that asbestos litigation is the largest mass tort in US history valued at over $250 billion dollars with over 600,000 claimants.  Due to this single field being so large there are many specialized asbestos lawyers who know asbestos law inside and out and are able to put together a very firm case.  Unfortunately the number of asbestos related disease is expected to rise in the next decade even though the risks of asbestos has been well know in the past few decades and it’s use has been severely limited.

Depending on your exposure to asbestos, you may be eligible to file a legal claim against an asbestos manufacturer.   There are generally two ways to be exposed to dangerous asbestos levels: in your home and in your work.  If you have worked with asbestos, an asbestos claim could potentially be quite successful. Asbestos claim cases represent the largest single issue in litigation today.  

People have known for centuries that overexposure to asbestos causes disease.  Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that has been used for  hundreds of years for its fire-resistant properties.  However, given the universal and historic awareness of the health hazards posed by asbestos, any individual suffering from asbestos-related problems like mesothelioma probably has a good case against an asbestos manufacturer.  In some states, there may be a statue of limitations after which it’s not possible to file suit against an asbestos manufacturer, so it’s best to investigate your asbestos claim options soon after finding out a mesothelioma diagnosis.

If  you have worked with asbestos, or if there’s asbestos in your home, you may be able to make claims against your employer and/or the asbestos manufacturer, depending on your situation.

If you have asbestos in your home, you may not be aware of it, as asbestos can take many forms. But asbestos was used in siding, insulation, and other building materials. Finding pictures of asbestos may help you determine if a material is asbestos or not; but sometimes perfectly harmless building materials can also look like asbestos.  Have a professional test it to confirm the material’s presence before filing an asbestos claim, and remember: asbestos removal is hazardous and should be left to professionals who will seal off and thoroughly clean the affected area.  Do not increase your exposure by attempting to remove it yourself.

Asbestos, a form of magnesium silicate, is a mineral compound once highly regarded for its incredibly effective insulating ability and its resistance to damage from chemicals and heat, including fire.

There was a time when the protective clothing worn by firemen was made from asbestos fabric.  The remarkable flame-retardant properties of this mineral were appreciated even in the days of ancient Greece, where it got its name.  In ancient Greek, asbestos means inextinguishable.

Asbestos shingles, siding, roofing, and insulation materials were widely used in homes, public buildings, and commercial facilities.  Electrical and heating appliances were often insulated with asbestos and many automotive parts included asbestos as a component.  Many other industries relied on asbestos as well.

Unfortunately, asbestos crystals can easily lodge in the lungs, where it stays forever.  The scar tissue that results leads to crippling, often deadly illnesses, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and another form of cancer called mesothelioma.

The extremely hazardous nature of the mineral led to the ban on its use in the United States in the 1970s.  Since that time, no more asbestos-containing products could be manufactured or used but the asbestos-containing building materials already installed were allowed to remain in place.

In most cases, a home built with asbestos shingles, siding, or roofing materials is safe as long as these products are in good repair.  Problems arise, however, when cracks, tears, and other types of damage expose the asbestos particles to the atmosphere.

Even when these products are in good repair, many of today’s homeowners are opting to remodel their homes instead of buy new ones.  One popular remodel option is to replace asbestos shingles with more modern-looking materials.

Handling, repairing, and removing asbestos shingles and other building materials can be hazardous to the health of the person doing the work, anyone else in the building, and, due to the easily airborne nature of the dangerous fibers, anyone in the neighborhood is at risk, too.

Because special handling procedures must be followed for optimum safety, working in any way with asbestos shingles, siding, roofing, or other materials is best left to professionals trained to handle these dangerous products.  This type of home repair or maintenance should never be considered a do-it-yourself project.

The industrial use of asbestos was banned in the United States in the 1970s.  Any buildings built before that time probably contain asbestos products in one form or another.

Asbestos flooring is one concern for anyone planning to remodel a home built before the ban on asbestos use.  The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as adopted a series of guidelines pertaining to the use, repair, and removal of asbestos flooring and other products.

It’s impossible to tell by looking if your home does indeed contain asbestos flooring.  Unless there are labels visible, a professional trained to detect the presence of asbestos is required.

Older homes are likely to have asbestos flooring if the home contains any form of resilient floor tiling.  This includes tile made from vinyl, asphalt, or rubber, as well as vinyl sheet flooring materials.

In addition to the asbestos flooring itself, the backing of the floor covering and the adhesive used to install it can contain asbestos.

Floor ducts to heating systems may contain asbestos insulation and so might any cement sheeting, millboard, or paper used for flooring under or around a fireplace, furnace, or wood-burning stove.

EPA guidelines recommend leaving alone any asbestos flooring that is intact.  Unless the flooring is cracked or broken, the asbestos is most likely sealed safely inside the product.

For peace of mind, however, many homeowners choose to seal or cover the asbestos flooring whenever possible.

Repairing or removing any asbestos flooring should be left to professionals only.  Handling the product, including sanding, scraping, or dismantling it in any way, is likely to release the dangerous asbestos particles into the air.

Repairing broken or damaged asbestos flooring is less expensive than removing and replacing the entire floor.  However, should the floor need to be repaired or replaced at a later date, the cost is likely to increase with inflation.

When damage to asbestos flooring is suspected, the EPA strongly advises that the area of concern be avoided as much as possible.  It is vitally important to avoid further damage to the flooring.

It is also wise to minimize any activities such as sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming that may produce increased air flow in the area of the damaged asbestos flooring.  Redirect any fans, ventilation vents, and air coming in from open windows and doors.

Never attempt to repair, refinish, or remove asbestos flooring.  This is never a do-it-yourself remodeling project.  Your safety depends on hiring specialists trained to handle asbestos flooring products.

Asbestos was once regarded as a highly effective building product and was used in many aspects of the building industry.  Today, however, we know it is actually a very hazardous material unless extreme caution is taken when handling it.

Most homes built before the 1970s probably have some product or building material that contains asbestos as a component.  Unfortunately, there is no way to tell by looking what contains asbestos and what does not.

In the absence of original labeling that lists component ingredients, asbestos surveys are the most reliable way to determine the presence of asbestos in your home.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), chartered with safeguarding the health of the American public, recommends leaving the asbestos surveys and all work involving asbestos to the professionals who are trained to detect and handle these products safely.

Federal guidelines suggest no danger in products containing asbestos as long as those products and building materials are in good repair and will remain intact as installed.

Asbestos surveys are recommended, however, whenever remodeling or repairs are planned for parts of the home that may contain asbestos-based products.

In fact, the federal recommendation is to expect the presence of asbestos in all homes built or remodeled before the 1970s and to hire professionals to conduct asbestos surveys before disturbing anything.

When asbestos surveys confirm the presence of asbestos, most local and state governments require homeowners to hire specialists trained in handling this dangerous substance to do the work.

In many cases, handling asbestos-based products and building materials by someone other than a trained professional when asbestos surveys confirm its presence, it is a violation of the law.