In most states, families can bring a wrongful death action based on a loved one who has died from asbestos exposure, as long as the lawsuit is filed within the period of time allowed by law.
You will, however, receive damages for different things than if the lawsuit had been filed by your loved one. Your damages will be based on loss of companionship, the Read the rest of this entry »
There still may be some avenues of liability open to you.
First, are you absolutely certain that only one manufacturer made the asbestos products you were exposed to? It is more likely that there were multiple manufacturers involved. Second, even though your employer was bought out by another company, the liability to you for your exposure still exists. Either the purchaser of your employer took on that liability when it Read the rest of this entry »
Asbestos is a health hazard. It is fibrous material used widely for insulation and fireproofing. It is dangerous when the fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the lungs, cause scarring to form and inflammation. This scar tissue reduces the amount of oxygen that can be taken in by the body. Enough scarring and inflammation can affect breathing. and can lead to shortness of breath and frequent lung infections and heart or respiratory failure. There is no effective treatment. The condition in which asbestos causes scar tissue to build up in the lungs is called asbestosis.
Whether someone will develop asbestosis depends on such factors as the intensity and duration of exposure and the person’s age when exposed. Asbestosis slowly progresses and will show no symptoms for 10 to 30 years after the initial exposure. However, there is no known “safe” level of exposure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 1,493 people died from asbestos in 2000, compared with 77 in 1968 (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC, July 23, 2004; http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5328.pdf).
Persons occupationally exposed to asbestos have developed several types of life-threatening diseases. There are four main diseases related to asbestos exposure. They are:
• Pleural mesothelioma;
• Peritoneal mesothelioma;
• Asbestosis; and
• Lung cancer.
None of these diseases can actually be cured; however, with various treatments, the patient’s life can be extended.