Asbestosis

Asbestos exposure is highly associated with a wide variety of lung and other internal organ disease processes. The symptoms of these diseases may not manifest until decades after first exposure. The Firm can review these cases upon a diagnosis with a qualified medical practitioner. Likewise, the firm has an available medical screening program for qualified claimants over the age of 50 with work histories of occupational exposure prior to 1976.

The firm handles many asbestos-related disease cases including:

• Asbestos-related pleural disease
• Pulmonary asbestosis
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma

These disease processes are common among boilermakers, carpenters, electricians, insulators, laborers, machinists, millwrights, operators, painters, pipefitters, sheet metal workers, mechanics, and other industrial and commercial workers. Indirect exposure by other crafts as well as exposure to family members in the household from workers' contaminated clothing are risk factors as well. (The firm recently obtained a $5,000,000.00 verdict for a group of housewives exposed to contaminated clothing from their spouses.)

1986 OSHA Statement

OSHA is aware of no instance in which exposure to a toxic substance has more clearly demonstrated detrimental health effects on humans than has asbestos exposure. The diseases caused by asbestos exposure are life-threatening or disabling. Among these diseases are lung cancer, cancer of the mesothelial lining of the pleura and peritoneum, asbestosis, and gastrointestinal cancer. Of all the diseases caused by asbestos, lung cancer constitutes the greatest health risk for American asbestos workers. Lung cancer has been responsible for more than half of the excess mortality from asbestos exposure in some occupational cohorts. -- Federal Register, Vol. 51, No. 119, Friday, June 20, 1986, Rules and regulations, pg. 22615

What is asbestos?

It is a mineral widely used in industrial, commercial and residential construction through most of the 20 th century. Also used in thousands of other products ranging from cigarette filters to hair dryers, and paper products to joint compounds, shingles, thermal insulation, and brake and clutch pads.

How much is harmful?

The United States government has continued to reduce exposure levels over the last 30 years but there is still no known level of exposure which provides complete assurance of safety.

When was asbestos found to be harmful?

The first reported cases date back to the late 1800s. By the 1940s, hundreds of articles had been written on the health hazards from exposure to asbestos.