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Our Virginia Injury Attorney Discusses The Dangers Of This Hazardous Material
Video Transcript
What exactly is asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural fiber found in rock formations in many places throughout the world. The asbestos fibers are extremely heat resistant and have been used as part of commercial insulation materials for over 100 years. There are asbestos mines in many parts of the world including South Africa and Quebec. Each year thousands of workers, as well as their families, are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, asbestos-related cancers, and mesothelioma. Here is what you need to know:
What types of products contain asbestos?
Prior to 1974, there were thousands of commercial products that contained asbestos. These products were commonly used in power plants, commercial boilers, navy ships, government buildings, hospitals, schools, churches, embassies, factories, and office buildings throughout the country, including in the DC metropolitan area. The products containing asbestos were used to insulate hot water pipes, boilers, generators, heating systems, drywall material, electrical boxes and cables and structural beams.
Who has been exposed to asbestos products over the years?
Prior to 1974, workers in practically every trade were routinely exposed to asbestos products.
This includes electricians, insulators, plumbers, steamfitters, drywall workers, ironworkers, boilermakers, carpenters, laborers, etc. The dust created when asbestos products were used on a jobsite could affect every worker on the site. Tragically, sometimes family members of workers who came home with asbestos dust on their clothing were also be exposed to this harmful dust. Long-term exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of asbestosis and cancers. Limited exposure to asbestos can, in some cases, lead to mesothelioma.
What are the health risks?
Exposure to asbestos has been known to cause many health problems. Generally, the three most common are asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is a lung disease in which there is scar tissue in the lungs that affects the ability to breathe. Lung cancer caused by asbestos may be one of several types of cancer, depending on the person’s smoking history. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung or stomach. It is invariably fatal.
Why is asbestos still a risk today?
Even though asbestos has not been commonly used in new materials made after 1974, workers continue to be at risk when working around old materials, especially during renovation or demolition of old buildings when conditions are normally very dusty.
What is the best way to protect yourself?
Everyone should take every precaution possible to avoid exposure to asbestos products. Wearing protective clothing and air-supplied respirators is wise. Because the health risks from asbestos are significantly increased among smokers, it is clear that quitting smoking is the best way to reduce your risk. Finally, getting an annual physical is crucial. Make sure your doctor knows of your history of asbestos exposure so that appropriate tests can be recommended.
What are your legal rights is you are diagnosed with an asbestos disease?
Asbestos victims have a number of legal rights available to them. These include a workers compensation claim, a Veterans Administration claim for those workers who were exposed while in the Navy, and claims against the manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of the asbestos products to which the worker was exposed.
These claims can produce the medical treatment and financial support to help asbestos victims and their families. We have successfully represented electricians, insulators, plumbers, steamfitters and many other tradesmen in claims arising from asbestos disease.
If you are ever diagnosed with an asbestos problem, we would be happy to help you as we have helped many people over 30 years. Call us now for a free consultation.
I am Peter DePaolis partner at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis.
Virginia injury attorney Peter DePaolis
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