Construction worker is a relatively vague descriptor that can be applied to nearly any skilled tradesman 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 construction workers asbestos exposure when working on older buildings. Construction workers throughout New York who are suffering from asbestos-related illnesses deserve a dedicated asbestos attorney who can help them pursue the justice and compensation they are owed. 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. According to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, shipbuilding and construction industries are major contributors to malignant mesothelioma mortality, with the construction industry accounting for 70 to 80 percent of asbestos consumption through most of the 20th century. 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 case today.
Construction workers may encounter asbestos in a number of ways while on the job, including:
Even workers who did not directly handle asbestos-containing materials were at risk. Asbestos dust is fine and spreads easily across job sites, and air systems can carry fibers through buildings to areas where other tradesmen are working.
If you have worked in these or any other construction trades 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 pursue compensation for medical expenses and other economic damages, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. While all construction workers may be at risk of asbestos exposure at some point, those at the highest risk include:
Many of the building materials used in construction before the 1980s contained asbestos. Construction workers in New York and across the country may have been exposed to asbestos through the following products:
If you were exposed to asbestos while working in the construction industry, there are several legal avenues that may be available to help you recover compensation for your losses. An asbestos attorney can evaluate your case and help determine which option offers the strongest path forward.
Construction workers diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim to cover medical treatment and lost wages resulting from their condition.
A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit may be filed against parties responsible for your asbestos exposure, including:
Many companies that manufactured asbestos-containing construction materials have filed for bankruptcy and established asbestos trust funds to compensate workers who were harmed. These trust funds hold billions of dollars and may provide compensation without the need for a trial.
At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we fight for construction workers throughout the five boroughs of New York City and beyond who have been harmed by asbestos exposure. Our founding attorney, Joseph P. Williams, brings over 30 years of experience and has never lost a mesothelioma case. Attorney Williams will personally meet with you in your home to discuss your diagnosis and begin building your case. If you or a family member worked in the construction industry and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, we are ready to fight for you. Schedule a free consultation with The Williams Law Firm, P.C. today.
Construction workers and their families often have important questions about asbestos exposure and their legal rights. The following are some of the most common questions we hear.
Construction workers are exposed to asbestos when they cut, sand, drill, or demolish materials that contain asbestos fibers. Asbestos was used in insulation, drywall, floor tiles, roofing materials, and many other building products before the 1980s. Workers who renovate or demolish older structures are still at risk today.
Asbestos exposure can lead to several serious health conditions, including:
Symptoms of these diseases may include:
Because asbestos-related diseases have a latency period of 20 to 50 years, construction workers may only now be developing symptoms from exposure that occurred decades ago.
Construction workers can reduce their risk by following OSHA safety guidelines, wearing proper respiratory protection, and ensuring that asbestos-containing materials are identified and handled by certified abatement professionals before renovation or demolition work begins. If you suspect asbestos is present at your job site, notify your employer immediately and avoid disturbing the material.
Once asbestos fibers are inhaled and embedded in lung tissue, they cannot be removed. This is why prevention and early detection are so critical. If you have a history of asbestos exposure among construction workers, regular medical checkups with a physician familiar with asbestos-related diseases can help identify problems early and improve treatment outcomes.
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