The manufacturing industry is no stranger to inherent occupational dangers. However, a serious and preventable danger too often overlooked is exposure to asbestos. Until 1989, asbestos was seen as a cheap and sturdy material used for fire and electrical insulation. For this reason, sheet metal which was produced between the 1930s and late 1970s was often coated with asbestos. In fact, research conducted by the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) found that 32 percent of a 9,000 subject pool of sheet metal workers with at least 20 years of experience were diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses.
About Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring soft metal that releases microscopic fibers into the air when disturbed. Asbestos fibers kill alveoli (sack-like cells in the lungs) which causes coughing and difficulty breathing over time. Dead cells in the lungs release toxins called “high-mobility group box 1 protein” (HMGB1) that leads to tumor growth in the lungs and sometimes pleural lining of the lungs (mesothelioma).
Asbestos can be nearly impossible to detect without the help of a trained asbestos abator. When asbestos fibers are released into the air, they can put other workers in the area at risk too. Asbestos fibers can easily travel throughout buildings if there is enough ventilation. Furthermore, asbestos can linger on a worker’s clothes until they’re thoroughly washed, which may put a worker’s friends, coworkers, and family at risk of exposure as well.
For sheet metal workers who also provide HVAC services, the risk of asbestos exposure is increased significantly because asbestos is still found in materials such as:
-
Ceiling tiles
-
Ventilation ducts
-
Drywall
-
Plaster
-
Joint compound
Symptoms associated with mesothelioma and asbestosis can take decades to develop, and may include:
-
Coughing that gets worse over time
-
Coughing blood
-
Abdominal pain
-
Muscle weakness and fatigue
-
Weight loss and loss of appetite
-
Trouble swallowing
If You’ve Been Exposed to Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a debilitating disease which typically results in a slow and painful death. After you’ve received a medical screening and have confirmed a diagnosis, deciding what your priorities should be and what choices you should make can be challenging.
There are two types of professionals who can help: a medical professional and an experienced asbestos-injury lawyer. Asbestos injury cases can become complicated very quickly for two reasons: 1) you have to find the person or company that knew about or installed the asbestos-containing material, 2) it must be proven that your injury could’ve been avoided if the person or company who knew of the asbestos-containing material acted responsibly. Fortunately, an experienced asbestos lawyer will know how to track down whoever is responsible for your asbestos exposure and has a team of investigators and exerts who will help to provide evidence to strengthen your case.
An experienced asbestos-injury lawyer understands that your job is to recover from your injury. They will work to secure compensation that fairly represents your case value, and will fight on your behalf in court if necessary. Even if you do manage to track down whoever is responsible for your asbestos-related injury, many large asbestos companies are known to give fast and low settlements that do not fairly represent your case’s value.
Find a law firm that handles asbestos and mesothelioma claims today.
