Construction Workers Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos in the Construction Industry

Construction worker is a relatively vague descriptor that can be applied to nearly any skilled tradesmen or novice laborer involved in the building trades. However, your level of skill and your particular trade play very little role in your potential for asbestos exposure when working on older buildings, and construction workers who are suffering from asbestos-related illnesses deserve a competent New York asbestos attorney who can help them get the justice they are due.

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer for which there is no cure. Asbestos was commonly used in practically every aspect of the building trades for nearly 50 years. People who worked in construction during the asbestos heyday and those who work on older buildings now are both at risk for mesothelioma and deserve an aggressive attorney if a diagnosis of this fatal disease is made.

Contact our offices to start discussing your asbestos exposure lawsuit.

How Are Construction Workers Exposed to Asbestos?

Asbestos is a harmful mineral that was commonly used in construction materials and building products until the 1990s. Unfortunately, due to the frequent use of the harmful mineral, asbestos can frequently be found in older buildings and homes, putting construction workers at risk of exposure.

The ways that construction workers are commonly exposed to asbestos include the following:

• Cutting and renovating: When asbestos is disturbed or damaged, it can become airborne and potentially be breathed in by construction workers. Exposure may occur when cutting flooring, ceiling tiles, drywall, insulation, boilers, roof panels, and fireproofing materials. 
• Demolition: When the demolition of old buildings is done, asbestos fibers may be released into the air and can expose construction workers as a result. 
• Asbestos-lined safety clothing: Asbestos was used to line safety clothing for construction workers prior to use being banned of the harmful mineral.

If you spent time working as a construction worker in an older building that may have contained asbestos-containing materials, you may have been exposed to the harmful mineral and could suffer harm as a result. Those who were exposed to asbestos can be at risk of developing serious diseases like mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer. 

If you have been exposed to asbestos as a construction worker and are now suffering harm, contact our trusted attorney Joe Williams for more information on how he will fight for the justice you deserve.

TRADES WITH HIGH ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

If you have worked in these or any other construction trade and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you need an attorney on your side as soon as possible. Your attorney will be instrumental in helping you get compensation for medical expenses and other economic damages, as well as noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering.

While all construction workers may be at risk to asbestos exposure at some point, those at the highest risk include:

• BRICKLAYERS
• CARPENTERS
• CEMENT LAYERS AND FINISHERS
• DEMOLITION MACHINE OPERATORS
• ELECTRICIANS
• PAINTERS
• PLASTERERS
• STEAMFITTERS
• WELDERS

Asbestos Products Associated With Construction Workers

Before the use of asbestos was stopped in the United States, it was an unfortunate reality that the harmful mineral’s use reached various industries, including the construction industry. Some of the products that are often found to contain asbestos and are typically associated with construction workers include the following:

• Wallboard
• Fireplace liners
• Roof coatings
• Adhesives, sealants, and construction tapes
• Pipe wrap and coatings
• Boiler insulation
• Cement
• Floor tiles

Additionally, asbestos was used as an insulator, fire retardant, and was mixed into building materials or sprayed on their surfaces. Asbestos was often used due to the fact it was cheap and had other properties that made it attractive to companies, despite the harmful risks of exposure to this harmful mineral. 

There is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, and the impacts this disease can have on a victim’s health is profound. After initial exposure to asbestos, a person may not even experience symptoms of mesothelioma for up to 30 years. Attorney Joe Williams will help you file a strong claim, ensuring you are able to fight for the fair compensation you deserve.

Legal Options for Construction Workers Exposed to Asbestos

Being exposed to asbestos can lead to several negative repercussions in the lives of construction workers. However, you should not have to pay for losses caused by exposure to asbestos while you were working as a construction worker. 

The legal options available to construction workers who have suffered due to asbestos exposure are as follows:

File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Workers’ compensation is one legal option construction workers have after being exposed to asbestos. This option can help cover any medical costs associated with their asbestos exposure. However, workers’ compensation may be difficult or impossible to recover due to the long latency period of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

File an Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit

When a construction worker has been exposed to asbestos and suffered losses as a result, they can file a lawsuit against the companies that supplied asbestos-containing materials to the workplace. These parties may include any of the following:

• Manufacturers
• Sellers
• Property owners
• Contractors

If you choose to file an asbestos exposure lawsuit, you may find that this legal route can lead to a better settlement than you may have achieved with workers’ compensation. It is crucial you work with our trusted attorney to ensure you are able to fight for the justice you are owed.

Apply For Asbestos Trust Funds

Many companies that produced asbestos building materials in the past have filed for bankruptcy and established trust funds to compensate future claimants. This option can allow you to recover fair compensation for the harm you have suffered. 

Talk to our experienced asbestos exposure attorney to learn whether you may qualify for an asbestos trust fund. Attorney Joe Williams has never lost a mesothelioma case and will work hard to represent your rights and interests throughout each step of the legal process.

READY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION? CALL(855) 575-6376

If you are in need of a New York construction worker asbestos exposure attorney, please contact us today. Joseph Williams represents construction workers in all trades throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

Common Questions About Construction Workers and Asbestos Exposure

If you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos and are now suffering losses as a result, you may have questions about how this happened and what you should do next. Some of the most common questions about construction workers and exposure to asbestos include:

How Are Construction Workers Exposed to Asbestos?

Construction workers may be exposed to asbestos in various ways. However, they are commonly exposed through direct contact with asbestos-containing materials or products, or by inhaling asbestos fibers that have become airborne due to being damaged or disturbed. Asbestos was often used in various construction materials prior to the 1990s. While it is not used anymore, older buildings may still contain asbestos-laden materials that can expose construction workers. 

What Are the Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos exposure can cause a range of health problems. The effect to one’s health after being exposed to the harmful mineral may include the following:

• Lung scarring
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma, which is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or stomach

Symptoms of late-stage asbestos-related disease can include the following:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss

It is important you consult a doctor if you have experienced symptoms of an asbestos-related disease after you were exposed while working as a construction worker. 

Can Construction Workers Protect Themselves From Asbestos Exposure?

Construction workers should discuss asbestos exposure with their employer, employee health and safety representative, and other employees if they have concerns about potentially coming into contact with the harmful mineral. They may also find useful information from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. If they believe they may be working in a building that contains asbestos, they can conduct an inspection.

Can Asbestos be Removed From the Lungs?

There is currently no known way to remove asbestos fibers from the lungs once they have been inhaled. However, a person’s immune system can sometimes break down or clear the asbestos naturally. 

If you have been exposed to the harmful mineral known as asbestos, it is imperative that you exercise your legal right to pursue justice and file a personal injury claim with the help of Attorney Joe Williams.