Exposure to asbestos—a grouping of six different mineral fibers—can have harmful or even fatal effects. When the fibers are released into the air, they can break down into tiny particles. When humans inhale asbestos, it causes scarring and inflammation in the lungs. From permanent lung damage to cancer, asbestos exposure is serious.
If you or a loved one were harmed by asbestos exposure, help is available. The Law Offices of Tim Misny can fight for compensation on your behalf. Read on to learn more about asbestos, then call us for a consultation.
Where is asbestos exposure likely?
Asbestos use has been limited in the United States since the late 1970s. Because it provides fireproof insulation, soundproofing and can strengthen cement and plastics, it was wildly popular in building and household items for decades.
You’re most likely to risk asbestos exposure when working around building materials, especially in older buildings. Shingles, fireproof insulation, electrical wire casing, millboard, siding, adhesives, tile and other common building materials often contained asbestos. When the particles are released in the air—often through demolishing all or part of a building—they can be inhaled without proper protection.
Asbestos also appears in fireproof gloves, artificial ashes for gas fireplaces, automobile parts, paints and even garden products.
People in firefighting, construction, chemical manufacturing, shipbuilding, fabric milling and the demolition industries are most likely to experience long-term asbestos exposure.
What kind of health problems does asbestos cause?
Asbestos can cause permanent lung damage (asbestosis), lung cancer, mesothelioma (cancer of the chest and stomach lining), throat, gastrointestinal and kidney cancer, and pleural effusions, a condition in which fluid gathers around the lungs.
These conditions are serious. Most cause lifelong damage, if not death. People exposed to asbestos may not always develop health problems, but the likelihood increases the longer and more intense the exposure.
What to do if you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness
If you’ve been diagnosed with a disease caused by asbestos, there may be legal recourse available. Personal injury and wrongful death claims are the two most common causes of action. They are usually filed against the company who exposed the patient to asbestos, whether that’s an employer, a manufacturer or other entity.
After your medical condition is diagnosed, call the Law Offices of Tim Misny. We’ll review your claim and help determine who’s responsible for your illness. Then we’ll explain your legal options, and fight to get the damages you deserve.
Call an Ohio personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyer today
Were you exposed to asbestos? I’ll Make Them Pay!® Get in touch with me at (800) 556-4769 so that I can evaluate your case as soon as possible.