Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Known for its excellent resistance to heat, flame, and electricity, it was extensively mined for decades for use in thousands of consumer and construction products.
However, beginning in the 1960s, scientists discovered that when asbestos breaks down, it degenerates into microscopic fibers that disperse into the air and are easily inhaled.
Workers who are repeatedly exposed to this material may suffer significant health risks. Learn more about the dangers of asbestos and how a work injury lawyer from New York City can help you recover compensation.
The Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
As Asbestos.com explains, repeatedly breathing these microscopic fibers causes them to accumulate in the lungs, ultimately causing such debilitating conditions as mesothelioma and asbestosis. Mesothelioma is an aggressive lung cancer and asbestosis is scarring of the lungs.
Asbestos Exposure in New York Construction Workers
Among the many different possible construction site accidents, workers are at particularly high risk for asbestos exposure since so many of the materials and products they work with contain asbestos.
High-Risk Construction Trades
The following construction trades are especially at risk for asbestos exposure:
- Drywall workers
- Plasterers
- Roofers
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Painters
- Floor and tile installers
- Bricklayers
- Stonemasons
- Demolition workers
- Renovation workers, particularly those renovating buildings constructed prior to the 1970s
- Laborers
The Insidious Danger of Asbestos
While asbestos use has drastically reduced in the past 40 years, it’s estimated that at one time, over 4,000 construction products contained asbestos. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, most of America’s public and commercial buildings still contain asbestos.
How Asbestos Fibers Spread on Construction Sites
As asbestos-containing materials age or are damaged, microscopic asbestos fibers can be released. These fibers are incredibly small, up to 1,200 times thinner than a human hair. That allows them to float in the air for long periods of time and spread across wide areas.
Asbestos in Modern Construction Materials
Despite 55 countries banning asbestos in construction, it remains legal, although its use is restricted.
As a result, the following products may still contain asbestos:
- Drywall and drywall-related products
- Pipeline wrapping
- Duct tape
- Insulation
- Siding panels
- Joint packing
- Roofing materials such as felts and coatings
- Other types of construction felts
- Textured paints
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Cement materials such as shingles and insulating cements
- Anything containing vermiculite
The Impact of Asbestos Exposure
Perhaps the most frightening aspect of asbestos inhalation is that its effects are not immediately apparent. Symptoms may not appear until years or even decades after exposure.
Alarming Statistics on Asbestos Exposure
- High-risk population: Over six million construction and other workers are at high risk for asbestos exposure today, with New York being among the top five states employing such workers.
- Asbestos-related deaths: More than 10,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases.
- Work-related cancer deaths: 50% of work-related cancer deaths are attributed to asbestos exposure.
- New mesothelioma cases: New pleural mesothelioma diagnoses range between 2,000 and 3,000 annually, with 80% of all mesothelioma cases caused by asbestos exposure.
- Economic impact: The direct economic costs of asbestos-related cancers exceed $3 billion annually.
Additional Forms of Asbestos Exposure
Not only can asbestos be breathed into the lungs, it also can be ingested when asbestos fibers in the air fall onto food, beverages, utensils, pots and pans, microwave containers, etc. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other smoking materials likewise can accumulate asbestos fibers on their surfaces.
Types of Asbestos Exposure
There are three well-documented types of asbestos exposure:
- Occupational exposure: Workers inhale asbestos fibers during on-the-job activities.
- Para-occupational exposure: Workers’ families are exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on clothing and shoes.
- Neighborhood exposure: Individuals living or working near asbestos-related projects may inhale dispersed asbestos fibers.
Asbestos Exposure Lawsuits
Bringing an asbestos exposure lawsuit is a very complicated process. Typically, these are product liability suits against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller of the asbestos-containing product.
Legal Theories in Asbestos of Lawsuits
Most asbestos lawsuits are based on one of three legal theories:
- Breach of warranty
- Negligence
- Strict liability
Proving Causation in Asbestos Cases
Proving causation in an asbestos exposure lawsuit can be particularly challenging, especially when the plaintiff is diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness decades after the exposure occurred.
Potential Damages in Asbestos Lawsuits
If causation and other elements are proven, settlements and jury verdicts can be substantial and may include:
- Medical care costs (past and future)
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost earning capacity and wages (past and future)
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering (past and future)
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious.
Understanding Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a major health problem for anyone exposed to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they embed themselves in the lungs and resist the body’s natural attempts to expel them.
The Progression of Asbestosis
Over time, asbestos fibers cause lung scarring, pleura thickening, and fluid buildup between the pleura and the lungs. These changes progressively reduce lung function, leading to reduced oxygen supply to vital organs.
Serious Complications of Asbestosis
Asbestosis can lead to other serious medical conditions, such as:
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Heart failure
- Collapsed lung
- Pleurisy
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Smoking can exacerbate the debilitating effects of asbestosis, potentially leading to complete disability or death.
Recognizing Asbestosis Symptoms
Symptoms of asbestosis may not appear for years or even decades after exposure.
They include:
- Persistent coughing, sometimes with blood
- Chest pain and tightness
- Worsening shortness of breath
- Recurring respiratory infections
- Swelling or thickening of the extremities
- Fingernail and toenail abnormalities
- Unexplained weight loss
- Sudden fevers of 101°F or higher
- General feelings of illness
Diagnosing and Treating Asbestosis
Diagnosing Asbestosis
Doctors may use several tests to diagnose asbestosis, including:
- Chest X-ray: To detect lung spots or heart outline abnormalities.
- CT scan: To identify flat, raised patches in the lungs.
- Lung function tests: To assess breathing capacity.
- Blood tests: To measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Treatment Options for Asbestosis
While asbestosis cannot be cured, its effects can be managed with a combination of treatments and lifestyle changes:
- Quit smoking: Essential for improving lung function and preventing further damage.
- Reduce asbestos exposure: Avoiding further exposure, even if it means changing jobs, is crucial.
- Medications: Prescription bronchodilators can help reduce mucus and ease breathing.
- Oxygen therapy: As the condition progresses, supplemental oxygen may be needed.
- Lung transplant: In severe cases, a lung transplant may be necessary.
Self-Care for Asbestosis Patients
Patients can take several steps to alleviate pain and discomfort, including:
- Regular doctor-supervised exercise
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Getting annual flu shots
- Avoiding contact with people showing respiratory infection symptoms
- Using over-the-counter pain relievers
- Investing in an ultrasonic cool-mist humidifier
Need Support in an Asbestos-Exposure Lawsuit? Call Us Today
Pursuing damages for negligent asbestos exposure can be challenging on your own. Your exposure could have happened decades earlier and you could struggle to track down anyone liable for your suffering.
That’s where Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., can help. Our asbestos exposure attorneys understand how much your life has been affected, and we’re ready to fight for your compensation.
We have helped clients pursue damages for toxic exposure in work-related accidents, and we are here to listen to your story and guide you through your case.
Call (212) 490-5700 or fill out our form to start your case today.