Asbestos is so dangerous because asbestos fibers like these are easily inhaled in by humans. allowing them to damage the respiratory system and other parts of the body. Unfortunately the health impacts are often not noticed until years after exposure which can make determining asbestos exposure liability complicated.
Asbestos, Asbestos Exposure, Asbestos Exposure Liability, Lawsuits, lawyer, personal injury attorney, Personal Injury Liability, workers compensation

Asbestos Exposure Liability Guide

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that used to be commonly used in building and manufacturing but is now known for being highly toxic and hazardous to human health. Asbestos was a useful material due to its heat and corrosion resistance, and it was used in numerous products including insulation, floor tiles, building materials, vehicle brakes & clutches, textiles, boilers, adhesives, and more. Unfortunately, long-term asbestos exposure can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other diseases that often ultimately lead to disability and/or death. According to OSHA, even asbestos exposures as short as a few days have caused mesothelioma in humans. Around 10,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases.

Even though it is not supposed to be used today, older buildings and products may still contain asbestos, so it’s important to be careful. If you or a loved one have been exposed to asbestos, you need to get in touch with Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson, L.L.P. so that we can help you explore your legal options. Our legal experts have compiled this guide to asbestos exposure liability to educate the public about this important topic. 

Asbestos Exposure Explained

Are you nervous about being exposed to asbestos? Knowledge is power, so here are the important facts you need to know to keep yourself safe. Asbestos exposure occurs when people inhale asbestos fibers into their lungs. There are three types of asbestos exposure: occupational exposure, secondary exposure, and hazardous product exposure. The three types of asbestos exposure refer to exposure in the workplace, secondhand through contact with other people exposed to asbestos, and exposure to asbestos products, respectively. 

Occupational asbestos exposure occurs primarily among people employed in the construction and ship repair industries, along with those employed in the manufacturing of asbestos products and who engage in automotive brake and clutch repair work. Workers in these industries face a particularly high degree of danger because they may be exposed to high concentrations of asbestos over long periods due to the nature of their jobs. 

You can also be exposed to asbestos in schools, public buildings, and even your home. Asbestos exposure can be particularly insidious because people often do not get sick until many years after their exposure, making it more difficult for them to prove liability and pursue justice. 

Asbestos Exposure Liability Lawsuits 

In general, you cannot sue anyone over your asbestos exposure unless that exposure caused you injury. If you developed mesothelioma or another disease because of your asbestos exposure, then you may be able to win a personal injury lawsuit against whatever parties are responsible for your asbestos exposure. It is also possible for some people who have been injured by asbestos exposure to receive compensation via other types of asbestos claims, including workers’ compensation and veterans’ benefits. If a person is killed by an asbestos-related disease, their loved ones may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. 

It can be difficult to figure out who exactly to sue in asbestos exposure liability lawsuits. Asbestos-processing companies, asbestos product manufacturers, asbestos transporters, asbestos mines, and owners of asbestos-contaminated properties are all possible targets for lawsuits. Figuring out what kind of asbestos lawsuit is most likely to be successful in your specific situation, and which parties should be targeted as liable, is a complex task. The fact that asbestos exposure often leads to disease years or decades after exposure further complicates matters because the party responsible for the exposure may no longer exist in its original form. It is best to consult an experienced lawyer or law firm like Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson, L.L.P. before filing an asbestos exposure liability lawsuit to help you navigate these complications. 

Get in touch with Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson, L.L.P.

If you or any of your loved ones have been exposed to asbestos, please contact Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson, L.L.P. so that you can request a free consultation. We will discuss with you your specific asbestos exposure case and how we can best represent you and your legal interests.