Why It Is Important to Hire an Asbestos Exposure Attorney
If you or someone you love suffers from an illness caused by asbestos, it is crucial to contact an experienced New York asbestos exposure attorney. These lawyers can assist in recovering compensation from building or worksite owner, product manufacturers, employer, and more.
Exposure to asbestos can trigger various serious illnesses that include mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. These diseases can be debilitating, painful and even deadly.
Reporting to your Employer
Asbestos exposure is a risk in certain work environments which include shipyards, construction sites, auto repair shops, and manufacturing plants. Federal and state laws require that employers educate their employees about asbestos hazards and provide protective equipment. Unfortunately, many workers were exposed to hazardous asbestos levels for years before exhibiting signs of illness.
It is crucial to inform your employer when you suffer from a condition related to asbestos. If you were ill because your employer did not comply with the safety guidelines established by the government, you might be able to claim compensation. The statute of limitations can differ from state to state, so seek legal advice as soon as you can whenever you notice any signs.
An experienced lawyer can look into your work history in the past and identify asbestos exposures that could be a cause. They can also review medical records to help you determine if your symptoms are due to asbestos exposure. A lawyer can also explain the various compensation options that are available.
Employers could be held accountable for workplace injuries if they fail to follow asbestos safety regulations. Regulatory agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, establish these standards. For instance, OSHA requires that employers ensure all friable asbestos is removed or encapsulated from the workplace. Contact OSHA if you suspect that your employer is not complying with these regulations. OSHA will not divulge your name, but will conduct an investigation without disclosing details of the report.
You could also file an asbestos lawsuit from a third party against the manufacturer of a defective item that led to your exposure. These cases are usually covered by the products liability. However, this kind of claim is generally treated differently from a workers compensation case.
You might not be able to make a claim for workers' compensation if you were an independent contractor. If you're an independent contractor, you might want to seek legal assistance from a person who handles personal injury claims for independent contractors. In certain states, this is called a "causation lawsuit." These cases are usually handled by a mesothelioma lawyer.
The process of filing a Workers' Compensation Claim
Asbestos is a risk for serious health diseases. People who have been exposed to asbestos often develop mesothelioma, a type of cancer of the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that can cause death within a short period after diagnosis, making prompt recognition important.
People who suspect they might be suffering from mesothelioma or a similar asbestos-related illness, should consult their doctor immediately. If a worker suspects they have been exposed to asbestos and is unsure, the doctor will require a thorough work history as well as any symptoms the worker may be experiencing. A thorough physical examination must be completed with a chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests. An expert should interpret the X-rays to ensure that the doctor is aware of any possible asbestos exposure.
After the asbestos-related disease has been diagnosed, an employee can make a workers' compensation claim. New York law requires workers to report any injuries or illnesses that they believe are related to their job within 30 days. This allows workers to fulfill their legal obligations and to be able to continue suing the employer if they are not paid.
An experienced asbestos lawyer can help workers get the workers' compensation they require to cover hospital expenses as well as home care expenses, lost wages and other costs. The value of a case will depend on both the severity and nature of the illness. In certain cases victims are able to be awarded compensation that will allow them to lead a comfortable life and be able to enjoy their family.
A seasoned New York asbestos attorney (
visit the next post) can aid workers in obtaining compensation from companies that manufacture or make use of asbestos-containing products. You can do this by filing a personal injuries lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit. These lawsuits may seek compensation for a range of losses, such as medical bills or lost wages, as well as funeral expenses. The lawsuits for wrongful death can also offer financial aid to the those who have survived loved ones.
Construction workers, veterans, and industrial workers are among the most common asbestos-related diseases. They were likely exposed to asbestos at work on building sites, shipyards and automotive repair shops. They also could have brought asbestos fibers home from these jobs, exposing their families to the dangerous substance.
The process of filing a personal injury claim
A successful asbestos lawsuit can result in financial compensation to pay for medical bills, lost income, home care costs funeral and burial costs as well as loss of companionship and other losses caused by mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. An experienced New York asbestos exposure lawyer can assist victims and their families receive the compensation they are entitled to from the companies that exposed them to asbestos that is dangerous.
Asbestos is a fibrous, brittle material that was used in a wide range of products, such as insulation, fireproofing, and pipe covers until it was removed due to health concerns. Workers who were exposed to asbestos in their workplaces may be eligible for workers' compensation. However, other legal options such as filing a lawsuit against the trust fund or the company responsible can provide a greater compensation.
Many of those who have developed
asbestos claim-related illnesses have not even had direct contact with asbestos-containing substances; they were exposed to dust and other airborne particles while performing their daily routines at home, at work or in public areas. In addition, many first responders at the World Trade Center site and other survivors of the 9/11 tragedy have been diagnosed with lung conditions caused by exposure to secondhand dust.
Anyone diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition should speak to an attorney immediately about their legal options. An expert asbestos lawyer can analyze the details of an individual's exposure history and assist the family member or victim bring a suit against employers, product manufacturers, or other parties responsible for their exposure.
As asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma can take decades to manifest, it's important to seek legal assistance as soon as you can. A lawyer with experience can file an asbestos suit before the statute of limitation expires. In New York, this is three years after the date of diagnosis.
Some lawyers specialize in asbestos law, while others deal with general personal injury claims. Mesothelioma lawyers are experienced in asbestos-related cancers and diseases as well as lung diseases, other health issues, and various types of cancers. They know how to question witnesses, gather evidence and prepare for trial to get their client the full compensation they deserve.
Contacting an Attorney
Asbestos attorneys can help victims and their families who have suffered injuries from asbestos exposure to seek compensation. They can assist victims to make a claim and sue the asbestos companies that are accountable for their exposure. They can also provide information on the time limitations, also known as statutes of limitation, to file a lawsuit in their state.
Federal safety experts have determined that prolonged exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing several types of cancer. In addition to mesothelioma, long-term exposure to asbestos has been linked to larynx, lung, and ovarian cancers.
Although the use of asbestos has drastically decreased since it was discovered that it could cause a variety of health issues, this harmful substance continues to pose an issue. Workers in the construction, shipyards and military sectors are at risk of exposure to asbestos at work. Asbestos was also used in many commercial and residential buildings prior to its ban. Certain asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma do not show any symptoms for decades after the initial exposure.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. People who suffer from this disease are entitled to compensation. The attorneys at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP are able to fight for justice for those who have been who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses.
Contacting an
asbestos litigation lawyer to discuss your situation is a great idea for victims of asbestos-related diseases. An asbestos lawyer can help a victim of
asbestos legal-related diseases like mesothelioma in obtaining compensation for medical bills as well as lost wages and other damages.
Asbestos lawyers who have experience typically work with national law firms, that handle cases across a variety of states. They are able to fly to meet a client for a no-cost consultation without the need to travel far. The top New York asbestos attorneys offer an initial consultation for free and do not charge upfront fees.
The attorneys featured on Nolo's websites (full disclosure that lawyers pay fees to be listed on the site) specialize in mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, and have provided information about their education, professional background and other credentials. You can locate mesothelioma attorneys who are the right fit for your case using the website's tools, which include an online search tool which allows you to filter by location and specialization.
