New Jersey Asbestos Lawyers
Asbestos Exposure
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other form of cancer due to exposure to asbestos, you may have a valid claim for damages. This may be the case even if the asbestos exposure took place years, or even decades ago. The medical profession has long known the link between asbestos exposure and certain diseases. The legal profession has established that the makers of products containing asbestos and the employers of workers using asbestos were aware of the dangers. Unfortunately, workers were not warned nor given adequate protection against the dangers.
Contact an experienced asbestosis lawyer immediately or call 856-381-4837 if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos exposure related illness, or if you think you were subjected to asbestos in the past to speak with the proven personal injury team at Hoffman DiMuzio.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in the ground. It has been used for many years in many different ways due to its versatility. Asbestos is heat resistant, and as such was used for building materials (residential and commercial), machinery, and other products. Therefore many people were exposed to asbestos for many years before its dangers were well known.
Common examples of those people exposed to asbestos include:
- Railroad workers
- Shipyard workers
- Electricians
- Power plant employees
- Construction trades
- Auto mechanics
- Veterans
Asbestos was used in many products including:
- Roofing, ceiling, and tiling materials
- Automobile brake pads
- Insulation
- Gaskets
- Pipe insulation
Why is asbestos exposure dangerous?
Asbestos exposure can cause serious damage to your lungs because it is a fibrous substance. The fibers are commonly inhaled by workers and lodge in the lungs. Eventually these fibers can cause serious and fatal diseases. In some cases the symptoms can be mild to moderate and include coughing, spasms, chest tightness and pain. Sometimes victims suffer the eventual total failure of the lungs and heart failure. The problem is that many times it can take ten to fifty years for the symptoms to appear (latency period). Many workers such as those in shipyards, power plants, and railroad workers were exposed in the 1970’s or earlier, and are just now being diagnosed.
Asbestos exposure related diseases include:
- Pleural thickening
- Asbestosis
- Chronic obstructive lung disease
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
When was the risk of Asbestos exposure known?
The Environmental Protection Agency banned Asbestos in 1989. However, the dangers were known as early as the 1930’s. Medical researchers established the link between asbestos exposure and lung cancer and their findings were published in medical journals. Many of the manufacturers of products containing asbestos knew of the link between exposure and associated health risks for many years, yet failed to warn workers.
Legal action has uncovered corporate memos and other documents confirming that the manufacturers were aware of the dangers. Sometimes, employers are to blame for failing to warn workers or take proper precautions.
If you or a family member have been diagnosed with any asbestosis related disease, were exposed to any asbestos containing products, or worked in a job associated with asbestos exposure, contact the proven personal injury team at Hoffman DiMuzio to schedule an appointment with experienced asbestosis lawyers.
Disclaimer: please note this page was written to provide information about the law and is not legal advice. Click here to read more about our disclaimer and our fees and services.
This page was written by Don Caruthers.
Mr. Caruthers is a proud member of the personal injury team at the law offices of Hoffman DiMuzio and specializes in personal injury, insurance, premises liability, and municipal court.