If you or a loved one has developed a health condition resulting from exposure to asbestos, contact our lawyers at Gacovino Lake today. We can help you explore options for your asbestos cases in order to recover compensation. Mesothelioma related to asbestos exposure, for example, can lead to long-term and serious consequences that can create a financial burden. Learn more about recovering compensation for asbestos-related health conditions.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a white, crystalline, fibrous mineral that is known to be highly resilient, as it can withstand extreme heat, potent chemicals and high amounts of electricity. Given such properties, since the 1860s, manufacturers and builders have been using asbestos in a variety of materials, equipment and parts, including:
- Adhesives
- Boilers
- Brake and clutch pads
- Cements and spackle
- Fireproof materials
- Floor tiles
- Furnaces and kilns
- Insulation
- Paints
- Pipes
- Plastics
- Roofing materials
Building materials made with asbestos are less common today, largely because of its classification by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, International Agency for Research on Cancer, EPA and other organizations as a known human carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer.
What are the risks of asbestos exposure?
People exposed to this material might develop:
- Asbestosis – not actually a cancer but is still “a serious, progressive, long-term disease of the lungs,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The lungs may become scarred by inhalation of asbestos fibers, which can make breathing difficult.
- Mesothelioma – a cancer affecting the pleura (outside portion of the lung) and chest cavity.
- Lung cancer might also be related to asbestos exposure.
The Environmental Working Group’s Asbestos Nation estimates that from 1999 to 2013, between 189,000 and 221,000 people died from asbestos exposure.
Who is at risk of asbestos exposure?
Many construction workers, demolition workers, renovation workers and others in similar fields are exposed to asbestos because they handle building materials on a regular basis.
Those exposed consistently – such as through employment – are at highest risk of developing health complications related to asbestos exposure. As such, if you are ill because of exposure to asbestos, lawyers can help you explore whether a party may be liable for your damages.
What should I do if exposed to asbestos?
If you think you have been exposed to asbestos, inform your doctor, regardless of whether or not you feel sick. Lung cancer or asbestosis may not occur until about 15 years after asbestos exposure, according to the CDC.
Further, mesothelioma may not be diagnosed until 30 years or more after exposure. Your doctor can inform you of symptoms to watch for and should be aware of your exposure when performing examinations. Early detection of these diseases may help improve treatment and prognosis.
Do I have a legal options if I am ill from asbestos exposure?
Yes, you may have legal options to recover compensation for damages if asbestos exposure caused your current illness.
Contact us to discuss your rights If diagnosed with asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.
A lawyer will review the information associated with your diagnosis, health, and work history, and determine if you have a legal claim against an employer or other party who exposed you to this dangerous material.
While states have statutes of limitations regarding how long a potential claimant has to file a claim after an initial incident or exposure, the delay in development of symptoms can toll the statute of limitations. In many cases, your date of diagnosis and/or discovery of the link to asbestos exposure is the date of occurrence and begins the statute of limitations.
Speak with our asbestos lawyers about evidence linking your current condition to exposure to asbestos and how to prove an employer’s or other party’s liability for your damages.
Damages might include the following:
- Medical bills
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Families may also take legal action if a loved one passed away from asbestos exposure, and should speak with an attorney to review eligibility.
Speak with an Asbestos Attorney at Gacovino Lake & Associates
Because of the complex nature of cases involving asbestos-related illness, it is important to hire an attorney familiar with cases involving toxic substances. To discuss the unique circumstances of your case with asbestos lawyers, contact Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. for a free consultation at 800-550-0000.
