What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were widely used due to their low cost, resistance to heat and fire, tactile strength, insulation properties, and soundproofing abilities. Asbestos is also a carcinogen, and regular exposure to asbestos fibers can lead tomesothelioma and lung cancer.
How does asbestos cause mesothelioma and lung cancer?
Asbestos is a fibrous material, and when it is broken apart its airborne fibers are easily inhaled. With progressive exposure, these asbestos particles accumulate in the lungs, where they cause scarring and trigger the cellular changes responsible for mesothelioma or lung cancer.
What are the most common means of asbestos exposure?
Occupational exposure to asbestos is the most common source of contamination. However, mesothelioma and lung cancer can also develop through asbestos exposure in the home or by second-hand asbestos exposure.
Who can be held liable for asbestos exposure?
Many companies concealed the dangers of asbestos from employees or failed to make them aware they were working with or around asbestos. These companies may include manufacturers of products with asbestos, distributors of asbestos-containing products, employers that required the use of asbestos-based products, and property owners of sites where asbestos was used.
Can I still seek compensation if the company responsible for my asbestos exposure went bankrupt or is otherwise out of business?
Many companies that produced or used asbestos are no longer in operation, but this does not mean that you will be unable to seek financial compensation for your asbestos-related illness. During your consultation, Mr. Williams will discuss your individual circumstances and your legal options. In some cases relating to bankrupt companies, the courts may have established trust funds for victims of asbestos exposure; in other cases, companies may have changed hands and different ownership may be held accountable.
If I developed lung cancer after working with asbestos but was also a smoker, can I still take legal action?
Being a smoker does not prevent you from seeking compensation for asbestos-related lung cancer. In fact, smokers who were exposed to asbestos are at least 50 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who smoked and were not exposed to asbestos. Cigarettes and asbestos are carcinogens that act synergistically to elevate an individual’s risk for lung cancer.
What if I or my family member is too ill to travel to court?
The New York asbestos exposure team at The Williams Law Firm, P.C. makes it a priority to reduce your stress and allow you to focus on treatment and time with your family. Because many mesothelioma and lung cancer victims are unable to travel or appear in court in-person, most courts allow asbestos exposure victims to provide testimony via video. We can handle every aspect of arranging your testimony and preparing your case in order to eliminate some of the burdens you and your family face.
If you or a family member suffers from mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, please contact The Williams Law Firm, P.C. online or call 855-955-MESO (6376) to schedule your free case consultation. New York asbestos exposure attorney Joseph P. Williams welcomes clients from Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island and across the United States.
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