It takes years of training to become a millwright, after all, the danger of machinery causing a fire or electrical shock is serious if a millwright doesn’t perform his duties properly. There was a way to protect against fire and machine damage for millwrights before 1989: asbestos.
From the 1920s to late 1980s, asbestos was used in nearly every construction and maintenance industry. Asbestos has a uniquely high tensile strength, heat resistance, and does not conduct electricity. Asbestos was eventually banned by the EPA in 1989 after reviewing medical studies that showed asbestos’ correlation with mesothelioma. However, asbestos is still found in thousands of buildings today, and poses a significant threat to millwrights.
Asbestos in the Air
Asbestos was used in several parts found on a mill, including:
- Gaskets
- Pipe coverings
- Valves
- Boilers
- Furnaces
Asbestos was also sprayed on metal surfaces if they were exposed to extreme heat. Whenever an asbestos-containing material is sawed, grinded, drilled or otherwise worked on, it releases asbestos dust into the air.
Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and cause permanent damage to lungs. This can lead to scar tissue forming in the lungs, causing lung tissue to harden and cause asbestosis. Asbestosis could even reach the pleural tissue surrounding the lungs, which causes breathing to be more difficult and shortens a person’s lifespan significantly. Furthermore, the dead tissue inside of lungs could also release toxins which have been linked to the growth of tumors, becoming the disease mesothelioma.
After initial exposure, it could take decades for symptoms to form which in turn makes asbestosis and mesothelioma difficult to detect. The symptoms of asbestosis and mesothelioma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Chest and abdominal pain
- Persistent cough
Contact a Lawyer
If you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Make sure to keep any documentation or records that show you’ve been exposed to asbestos and what damages you’ve sustained as a result. This could be in the form of medical bills, lost work hours, prescription and treatment costs, etc. it would be a good idea to keep a journal of your experiences as well.
Experienced asbestos injury lawyers understand that being exposed to asbestos can be debilitating, frustrating and costly. The sooner you contact a lawyer after exposure, the easier it will be to collect compensation for your damages. There are many aspects of your case that only an experienced injury lawyer can handle, such as who is legally responsible for your injuries, how much your injuries are worth, and how to fight for your right to compensation in court.
Don’t be afraid to ask a lawyer any important questions you have during your consultation like how your case would be handled under their representation, and what types of cases he has handles in the past. Your lawyers should investigate your case to uncover all the damages you’ve sustained, and shouldn’t be afraid to fight for your right to those damages in court if necessary.
