Have you suffered from asbestos-related injuries in New York City? Are you looking for an asbestos lawyer? Then read our guide for tips on finding the best asbestos attorney for you…
Damage caused to humans by asbestos in their environment has been an ongoing issue for a number of years. This damage may not manifest itself until years after the injured party was exposed to asbestos. In fact it may take as long as 30 years before any effects are noticed in a victim. Yet the damaging effects are no less serious. The fact that the symptoms and diseases caused by asbestos take a considerable amount of time can make a positive verdict or a fair settlement somewhat difficult to achieve by even an experienced personal injury lawyer. Regardless of an organization’s negligence in such matters you will probably need the services of an asbestos attorney to win fair compensation.
Who Is At Risk?
Those persons who have worked in the construction, railroad and shipbuilding industries are at greatest risk of being harmed by exposure to this substance. People who have worked as carpenters, pipefitters, machinists, plumbers, mechanics or sailors are also significantly at risk of damage to their health from asbestos exposure.
Deaths that occur as a result of asbestos exposure are estimated at a rate of 10,000 per year. This rate is actually increasing each year. Although asbestos usage is reported on the decrease the U. S. economy continues to utilize at least 2,000 metric tons of this harmful mineral.
What Are the Risks?
Lung cancer and mesothelioma are the two most likely problems that manifest themselves in people who have been exposed to asbestos. Lung cancer is all too familiar to many of us. Though once thought rare, malignant mesothelioma is an increasingly common form of cancer that develops from the protective lining that covers the body’s internal organs, referred to as the mesothelium. It is almost invariably caused by exposure to asbestos.
Yet another condition related to asbestos exposure is asbestosis, which is a scarring of the lung tissue directly attributable to asbestos fibers and dust entering into the lungs. Symptoms of this condition include: shortness of breath, decreased tolerance of physical activity, coughing, chest pains and clubbing of the fingers.
What You Can Do
If you have presented with any of the above symptoms to a health care professional or if you have already been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure you may be entitled to compensation from the companies responsible for your disease. If you even suspect that your symptoms or your condition relates to asbestos exposure you may be entitled to such compensation.
Many legal proceedings have already established in court that many companies were fully aware of exposing their employees to asbestos and were also aware of the potential harm that such exposure posed and did nothing to limit or end exposure of their employees to asbestos.
Yet only an experienced asbestos attorney may be able to sort through vast amounts of company and medical records and prove conclusively who was at fault and who was negligent is causing your disease. You should contact an experienced asbestos lawyer as soon as you can. It is likely that an initial consultation with such a person will cost you nothing and that you may have much to gain from taking such a step.
