Asbestos is a harmful substance that was commonly used in a variety of products in the U.S. throughout the 1900s. As early as the turn of the 20th Century, research showed a link between asbestos exposure and deadly respiratory illnesses, including a form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Despite this, manufacturers continued producing asbestos, putting countless workers, individuals, and families at risk.
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or any other asbestos-related illness after known or suspected exposure to asbestos, you could be entitled to financial compensation. The asbestos industry deserves to be held accountable for its failure to prioritize public safety over profits. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we are ready to help with your case.
Call us today at 516-221-7900 or contact us online using our free and secure submission form. We are available 24/7 to assist you and offer FREE initial consultations.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of fibrous minerals. Due to its flexibility, strength, and heat-resistant properties, asbestos was an immensely popular material in insulating and fire-resistant products, as well as a wide range of manufactured goods, throughout the 20th Century.
Historically, asbestos has been commonly used in the following:
- Automotive parts, such as brake pads, clutches, and transmissions
- Construction and building materials
- Roofing and floor materials, such as shingles and tiles
- Attic and wall insulation in residential and commercial buildings
- Heat- and fire-resistant fabrics/clothing
- Plumbing fixtures and materials, such as pipe coatings
This is not an exhaustive list; thousands of products manufactured throughout the 1900s contained asbestos and, currently, the U.S. remains one of the few countries that do not have a ban on asbestos. However, study after study has shown that there is no level of asbestos exposure that is considered “safe.” Any exposure to the material can lead to serious illness and/or death.
How Does Asbestos Exposure Happen?
Asbestos exposure occurs when an individual is exposed to asbestos fibers. This typically happens when asbestos is manipulated or disturbed. For example, construction workers at a demolition site can be exposed to asbestos fibers that become airborne as the structure is brought down. Automotive workers throughout the 1900s were frequently exposed to asbestos when working on vehicles that had parts containing the harmful material.
When asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be breathed in or otherwise ingested. Once they enter the body, those fibers can become lodged in the various linings surrounding the lungs, heart, stomach, and other organs. As the body vainly attempts to remove the fibers, significant damage can occur. Over time, this can lead to various forms of asbestos-related cancer, including mesothelioma.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Anyone who comes into contact with asbestos, including airborne asbestos fibers, is at risk of accidentally ingesting the fibers and developing an asbestos-related illness. Research has shown that workers who were repeatedly exposed to asbestos in the course of their employment have the highest risk of developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other related diseases. Some studies have shown that these workers may have also unintentionally brought home asbestos fibers on their clothing, in their hair, and otherwise on their person, thereby accidentally putting their families and loved ones at risk as well.
The following workers have had the highest rates of asbestos-related illnesses and deaths:
- Automotive workers
- Mechanics
- Construction workers
- Roofers
- Demolition crews
- Firefighters
- Industrial workers
- Military servicemembers, particularly members of the U.S. Navy
- Shipyard workers
- Power plant workers
- Factory workers
- Miners
- Boiler workers
- Steel and textile mill workers
Others with a moderate risk of asbestos exposure include agricultural workers, engineers, electricians, carpenters, chemical plant workers, cement plant workers, oil refinery workers, plumbers, and more. Additionally, rescue and clean-up crews who worked at or near Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 faced significant asbestos exposure after the collapse of the two towers.
How to File an Asbestos Exposure Claim
Several options are available to those seeking compensation for asbestos exposure and related illnesses. Various manufacturers within the asbestos industry have established trusts with funds benefitting those harmed by exposure to their products. Workers, veterans, and others may be entitled to file trust fund claims and access compensation this way.
In other cases, employees who were exposed to asbestos on the job may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation. In still other instances, individuals or surviving family members may be able to file single-plaintiff lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers and other liable entities or take part in class actions or mass tort claims. In any case, time limits may apply, so we encourage you to contact our Long Island asbestos exposure attorney right away.
At the Law Office of Joseph J. Perrini, III, we are dedicated to helping victims fight for justice and the fair compensation they are owed. We believe in holding asbestos manufacturers accountable for the widespread harm they have caused.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
If you believe that you or a loved one suffered needlessly due to asbestos exposure, do not wait to contact the team at the Law Offices of Joseph J. Perrini, III. From our office on Long Island, we can help you with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cases throughout New York City and the nearby areas. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we do not collect any legal fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
Reach out to us online or by phone at 516-221-7900 to get started with a complimentary case evaluation today.
