Our Las Vegas Asbestos Lawyers Know About The Dangers Of Exposure
Have you ever heard of asbestos lawyers? Well, you might have heard the word “asbestos” before. When you’re looking to rent or purchase a home, it usually raises an eyebrow and brings cause for concern. Somehow, you may know that it’s not good for you, but you might not know why. You might understand that it has something to do with older homes, but you still might not be sure what the issue is.
Asbestos in Las Vegas is an important topic. It is not just an issue in real estate. There are many other occupations in which asbestos exposure is a risk. Some industries in which there is a higher risk for asbestos exposure are:
- Construction
- Mining
- Shipbuilding
- Firefighting
If you believe that you have symptoms of asbestos exposure, contact one of our asbestos lawyers, who will be happy to talk with you to help you understand your rights and the best course of action.
Asbestos is a Major Health Issue
Asbestos comes from naturally occurring minerals composed of soft and flexible fibers resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. Asbestos-containing products have been used in many building materials, including insulation in walls or attics, insulation for pipes and in-floor tiles, and even in car parts, like brakes and clutches.
The problem isn’t always the asbestos itself. The material can be used along with other materials, like paper, cloth, cement, and plastic, to make them stronger. But the fibers that form asbestos can easily be separated into tiny pieces. So when the asbestos breaks down, and the asbestos dust is inhaled or ingested, those mineral fibers can get trapped in the body, and there is no way for the body to break them down or release them.
Breathing in asbestos fibers over long periods can increase the risk of personal injury via lung cancer, mesothelioma, or asbestosis. Exposure can occur in several different ways. There are several ways to prevent exposure and protect others. Some examples include:
- Monitoring asbestos concentrations in the air
- Use of ventilation systems
- Providing employees with personal monitoring and protective equipment
Products exist on the market today to help with prevention. However, OSHA also requires companies to implement control processes into their workflows to ensure the safety of their employees when asbestos exposure is likely.
Asbestos Laws
While standards are in place to reduce or eliminate asbestos exposure, there is no safe level of exposure under current OSHA standards. Even exposure as short as a few days causes harm and many asbestos cases.
Employers whose employees have a risk of being exposed to asbestos must protect their workers. Failure to adequately inform workers of hazards or to protect them reasonably from exposure can lead to liability.
Cases involving asbestos exposure generally fall into the category of negligence, although some include product liability claims. Asbestos in Las Vegas is a lot more common than you might think. If you’re wondering whether your symptoms may be a sign of asbestos exposure, contact one of our asbestos lawyers for a consultation.
CASES BASED ON NEGLIGENCE
In most states, employers have to protect their employees from asbestos-related harm. When someone gets sick, asbestos attorneys are available to help you to determine potential legal implications.
In cases of negligence, the most common types of damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages (for time missed from work due to the injury)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of normal life (known as diminished capacity)
It is easy to see that asbestos claims can add up fast. If you own a business that has a likelihood of introducing your employees to asbestos, it’s vital to establish specific processes and controls to mitigate risk and prevent exposure.
PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS
When someone gets sick with an asbestos-related illness from a product, it might be possible for the manufacturer to be charged or held liable. But, again, asbestos lawyers can help to evaluate your case.
LEGAL DEFENSE OF EXPOSURE
Asbestos in Las Vegas is an ongoing and complicated issue, which is why it can be helpful to have knowledgeable and experienced asbestos litigation lawyers available to help you.
Determining liability in an asbestos case is tricky. First, there might be more than one responsible party, so even if you face an allegation of negligence, it might be possible to clear your name.
One of the essential questions in an asbestos claim is whether the plaintiff was exposed. Unless a material has a label stating the product contains asbestos, exposure can be challenging to prove.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis, like mesothelioma, is a health-related issue from asbestos exposure. It refers to long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs from asbestos fibers.
Symptoms can include wheezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and cough. If you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos, asbestosis lawyers can help you understand your legal rights.
It can take up to twenty years before asbestosis is diagnosed. If you suspect asbestos-related diseases, even if it has been years since possible exposure, reach out to knowledgeable asbestosis lawyers.
What is Mesothelioma?
Malignant Mesothelioma (also called “meso”) is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. A rare form of cancer, it’s a disease in which deadly cancer cells are near the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Starting in the 1950s, millions of Americans were unknowingly exposed to the dangers of asbestos at jobs, in schools, and even at home. Initially, people were told that asbestos was safe. But thousands of people every year are diagnosed with deadly cancers caused by asbestos, including Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in its advanced stages because the symptoms can take 20 to 50 years to appear. After diagnosis, the average survival time is only about one year.
WHO IS AT RISK FOR MESOTHELIOMA?
Anyone exposed to asbestos could contract Mesothelioma and other related cancers.
Occupations at high risk for exposure include:
- Miners
- Factory Workers
- Insulation Manufacturers
- Railroad Workers
- Ship Builders
- Gas Mask Manufactures
- Construction Workers
Even minimal asbestos exposure can cause Mesothelioma. People who worked around asbestos – including those exposed to it secondarily, like women who washed their husbands’ work clothes – have died from asbestos-related respiratory diseases.
It can take several years before the onset of mesothelioma occurs. Still, once you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there is a strong likelihood of death within twelve months of diagnosis. When it comes to the presence of mesothelioma, the only established cause is asbestos exposure. Therefore, it is no surprise that mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed and won.
VICTIMS OF ASBESTOS-RELATED CANCERS & MESOTHELIOMA
Most meso victims receive a diagnosis when they are 50 to 70 years old. Mesothelioma and cancers caused by asbestos exposure affect men three to five times more often than women. Although relatively rare, there are only an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 new cases per year.
Our Asbestos Lawyers Understand
That’s why you want Edward M Bernstein and Associates on your side. Our personal injury lawyers and staff work together to get you the best possible outcome. We put over four decades of legal experience to work when you hire us, fighting for your legal rights to fair compensation.
Our asbestos lawyers understand the complexity of mesothelioma cases and have the resources to fight aggressively for your rights. And when you hire us, you won’t pay us a penny for our services unless and until we get money for you.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact us online or call our office.