What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion. Asbestos has been used in products, such as insulation for pipes (steam lines for example), floor tiles, building materials, and in vehicle brakes and clutches. Asbestos includes the mineral fibers chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, actinolite and any of these materials that have been chemically treated or altered. Heavy exposures tend to occur in the construction industry and in ship repair, particularly during the removal of asbestos materials due to renovation, repairs, or demolition. Workers are also likely to be exposed during the manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products, insulation, and other building materials) and during automotive brake and clutch repair work.
What Are the Hazards of Asbestos?
Asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard and its use is now highly regulated by both OSHA and EPA. Asbestos fibers associated with these health risks are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Breathing asbestos fibers can cause a buildup of scar-like tissue in the lungs called asbestosis and result in loss of lung function that often progresses to disability and death. Asbestos also causes cancer of the lung and other diseases such as mesothelioma of the pleura which is a fatal malignant tumor of the membrane lining the cavity of the lung or stomach. Epidemiologic evidence has increasingly shown that all asbestos fiber types, including the most commonly used form of asbestos, chrysotile, causes mesothelioma in humans.
Asbestos and the Railroad Industry
For decades the dangers of asbestos were kept a secret from those who worked with this toxic material. Before asbestos became regulated it was used for several different application throughout the railroad industry as late as the 1980s.
Asbestos was used to insulate materials on steam locomotives and diesel locomotives. Asbestos was used in the following applications in the production of boilers, the outside of the train’s engine, under the metal body of the train, in boxcars, ceilings of cabooses, pipe coverings, electrical panels, the driving cabins and carriages, and more.
Railroad employees that worked prior to 1982 are at high-risk for developing asbestos-related illness as a result of their time working around this dangerous material. The issue is that microscopic fibers would become airborne, making them easy to inhale or ingest. Once asbestos fibers work their way into the body, they can easily become trapped, permanently embedding into soft tissue. This can lead to genetic mutations and permanent scarring.
Compensation is available for railroad workers that have been exposed to asbestos and have since developed health problems. This can even include shortness of breath or internal scarring that you may not be aware of. Our attorneys work with those who were employed by the railroad industry to recover the compensation they deserve.
How Long Does It Take Asbestos Exposure To Affect You?
Asbestos fibers become trapped in the body after they are inhaled or ingested. Once these fibers embed themselves into your soft tissue they can affect the growth and development of your cells. These changes do not occur overnight and may take decades to develop. In some cases, it may take 30 years or more for your exposure to asbestos to lead to an asbestosis, mesothelioma, or cancer diagnosis.
What Diseases Have Asbestos Been Linked To?
Asbestos exposure has been linked to many life threatening illnesses including mesothelioma, lung cancer, throat cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer. In addition to these illnesses, asbestos exposure has also been linked to asbestosis, a chronic illness affecting the lungs.
Free Asbestos Exposure Consultation in United States
At Sammons & Berry, P.C. we offer a no-cost, no-obligation consultation, so you can discuss the facts of your case without paying for anything upfront. Asbestos trusts claims do not require a lawsuit, depositions, or courtrooms. The process is simple and easy for the client and should not require any stressful legal confrontations for the client. The law firm handles all of the claims for the client, helping you maximize your compensation.
We do not accept any payments from our clients until they receive compensation. We charge on a contingent fee basis, which means you pay a percentage of what you get paid in your claim. If we are unable to collect anything for you, there is no cost to you.
Call (800) 519-1440 to speak with a Sammons and Berry, P.C. representative and start your journey towards compensation.
Wrongful Death Claims For Families of Asbestos Victims
If you have lost someone in your family due to the harmful exposure of asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation. If you can provide the work history and a death certificate for your loved one, our attorneys can help you file an asbestos claim. We understand how difficult this process can be, this is why we work with you every step of the way to help you get the money you deserve. Reach out to our team today to learn more about filing a claim for a family member.
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