Why It Is Important to Hire an Asbestos Exposure Attorney
It is important to speak with a New York asbestos exposure lawyer if you or someone you love suffers from asbestos-related illness. These lawyers can help you obtain compensation from building or worksite owners, product manufacturers, employers and many more.
Asbestos exposure can lead to numerous serious illnesses that include mesothelioma and lung cancer. These illnesses are painful, debilitating and, in some cases, fatal.
Reporting to your Employer
Certain work environments such as construction sites, shipyards and auto repair shops are prone to asbestos exposure. State and federal laws require employers to educate workers about asbestos lawyers‘ dangers and provide them with protective equipment. Unfortunately many workers have been exposed to harmful levels of asbestos for decades before they begin to show signs of asbestos exposure.
It is essential to inform your employer if you develop a condition that is related to asbestos. You may be able file a claim against your employer if you became sickened due to their failure to follow government safety standards. The time limit for filing a claim may vary from state to state, so you should seek legal advice as soon as you can whenever you notice any signs.
An experienced lawyer can look into your work history to find asbestos exposure. They can also look over your medical records and assist you to establish that your health issues are caused by asbestos exposure. An attorney can also explain the different compensation options that are available to you.
Employers could be held accountable for workplace injuries if they failed to adhere to asbestos safety rules. These standards are set by regulatory agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. OSHA for instance requires employers to ensure that all asbestos that is friable in the workplace is removed or sealed. Contact OSHA if you suspect that your employer is not following these regulations. OSHA will not divulge the name of your employer and will conduct an inquiry without divulging any details.
You could also file a third party asbestos lawsuit against a manufacturer of a defective item that led to your exposure. Typically, these cases fall under the umbrella of product liability. This type of claim however, is usually dealt with separately from a worker’s compensation case.
You might not be able to file a claim for worker’s compensation if you were an independent contractor. If you’re an independent contractor, you might require legal assistance from someone who handles personal injuries claims for independent contractors. In some states, this is known as a “causation lawsuit.” These lawsuits are usually brought by a mesothelioma attorney.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Asbestos exposure can lead to many serious medical ailments. Asbestos-related exposure causes more likely to develop mesothelioma an infected lining of the abdomen and chest. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is aggressive that can lead to death in a short time after diagnosis, making the prompt diagnosis crucial.
People who suspect they might have mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease and should see their doctor immediately. If a worker suspects that they have been exposed asbestos or other asbestos-related substances, the doctor should require a thorough background of the work environment and any symptoms the worker might be experiencing. A full physical should be conducted which includes a chest Xray and pulmonary function tests. An expert will interpret the X-rays and make sure that the doctor is aware of any possible asbestos exposure.
Once the asbestos-related disease is identified, the worker is able to make a workers’ compensation claim. New York law requires that workers submit any injuries or illnesses they believe are related to their job within 30 days. This allows workers to comply with their legal obligations and have the option of filing a suit against the employer in the event they are not paid.
An experienced asbestos attorney can help workers obtain the workers’ compensation they need to cover hospital expenses as well as home care expenses, lost wages and other expenses. The value of a case is contingent on the severity and nature of the illness. In certain cases victims may be eligible for compensation that allows them to enjoy a comfortable life and spend time with their family.
A seasoned New York asbestos attorney can aid workers in obtaining compensation from companies that manufacture or make use of asbestos-containing products. This can be done by filing a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit. These lawsuits can seek compensation for a variety of expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages and funeral expenses. The wrongful death lawsuits may also offer financial assistance to the family members who have died.
Construction workers, veterans, and industrial workers are among the most prevalent asbestos-related illnesses. These individuals were probably exposed to asbestos at work on building sites, shipyards, and automobile repair shops. They may also have brought asbestos fibers from their jobs home and exposed their family members to the dangerous substance.
Making a Personal Injury Claim
A successful asbestos lawsuit may result in financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, home care expenses funeral and burial expenses and loss of companionship and other losses caused mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease. A New York asbestos exposure attorney can help victims and families get the compensation they deserve from companies who exposed them to dangerous asbestos.
Asbestos was a fibrous, brittle material used in a variety of products such as insulation, fireproofing, and pipe covers, until it was phased out due to health issues. Workers that were exposed to asbestos at their workplace may be eligible to file an insurance claim for workers’ compensation however other legal options, such as filing an individual injury lawsuit against the responsible company or trust fund, could provide a greater amount of compensation to compensate your expenses.
Many of those who have developed asbestos-related illnesses haven’t had direct contact with asbestos materials. They were exposed to dust and other airborne debris as they went about their everyday routines at work, at home or in public places. Many first responders and survivors of 9/11 have also been diagnosed with lung diseases that are linked to exposure to asbestos from secondhand sources.
People who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease should consult with an attorney as soon as possible about their legal options. An asbestos lawyer with years of experience can review the details about the exposure history of a person and help the family of the victim and any other parties responsible to make a claim.
Since mesothelioma, along with other asbestos-related diseases do not generally manifest until decades after exposure, it is critical to seek legal help immediately if you can. A skilled lawyer can start an asbestos lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, which in New York is three years from the date of diagnosis.
Some lawyers specialize in asbestos law, while others handle general personal injury claims. Mesothelioma lawyers are experienced in mesothelioma and related asbestos-related illnesses, as well other cancers, lung conditions and other health issues. They are also able to collect and review evidence, interview witnesses, and prepare the case for trial so that they can get their clients the full amount of compensation they are entitled to.
Contacting a Lawyer
Asbestos lawyers can help asbestos families of victims who have been injured by asbestos exposure to seek compensation. They can assist victims file a claim and sue asbestos companies that are responsible for their exposure. They can also explain to victims the limitations on filing a lawsuit, called statutes or limitations.
Federal safety experts have found that prolonged exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing various types of cancer. In addition to mesothelioma, long-term exposure to asbestos has been linked to larynx, lung, and ovarian cancers.
While the use of asbestos has drastically decreased after it was discovered that it could cause a variety of health issues, this hazardous substance remains a threat. Workers in shipyards, construction and military sectors are at risk of exposure to asbestos at work. Asbestos was also utilized in many residential and commercial buildings before it was banned. Some asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma don’t have any symptoms for a long time after initial exposure.
Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Victims of this illness are entitled to compensation. The attorneys at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP can fight for justice on behalf of those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses.
Contacting an asbestos lawyer to discuss your case is a great idea for victims of asbestos-related diseases. An asbestos lawyer can assist a victim of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease obtain compensation for their medical bills loss of wages, and other damages.
Expert asbestos lawyers typically be employed by national law firms that handle cases in multiple states. They also often fly to visit clients for a complimentary legal consultation without having to travel long distances. The top New York asbestos attorneys offer an initial consultation for free and do not charge upfront costs.
The lawyers listed on Nolo’s websites (full disclosure: lawyers pay a fee to be listed on the website) specialize in mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related injuries. They have provided information on their education, professional background and other credentials. You can find mesothelioma attorneys who are right for your case by using the tools on the website, which include an online search tool which allows you to filter by location and area of expertise.