If you’ve recently been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, you may want to contact one of the top asbestos lawyers Washington, DC has to offer for legal counsel. At Brown Kiely, LLP we know just how devastating it can be for an entire family when a loved one is diagnosed with such a difficult disease. It’s our goal to help victims and their families cope with serious injuries and reclaim their financial losses with a settlement.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was once used in a variety of products. For decades, product manufacturers incorporated the substance into everything from automotive parts to ironing boards. Because asbestos is very durable and heat-resistant, it was often used as insulation in buildings. However, researchers discovered that asbestos particles can directly lead to fatal illnesses and in the 1970s, the federal government drastically restricted the use of asbestos.
Even though companies are no longer allowed to incorporate asbestos into their materials, many buildings and old vehicles still contain asbestos-laden parts or insulation. Workers in certain industries, such as construction and manufacturing, are at high risk for coming into contact with asbestos. However, as seasoned asbestos lawyers Washington, DC can provide may attest, virtually anyone can be exposed to asbestos particles in a house, school, or workplace environment.
What to Watch Out For
Asbestos refers to a set of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals:
- Chrysotile
- Crocidolite
- Amosite
- Anthophyllite
- Tremolite
- Actinolite
Out of these six fibrous minerals chrysotile and amosite asbestos are the most common, however, each form of asbestos is potentially life threatening. As a result, if you have been exposed to asbestos it is crucial to seek counsel from a doctor that can help you overcome an asbestos related disease. If you have already obtained the necessary medical treatment you should consider speaking with experienced asbestos lawyers Washington, DC residents depend on who may offer proper legal guidance.
Who Is at Risk?
Before the negative health effects were discovered, asbestos was used in thousands of commercial and industrial products. Asbestos lawyers Washington, DC residents can turn to may testify that the use of asbestos was particularly prevalent in the following industries:
- Shipbuilding
- Commercial product manufacturing
- Power plants
- Construction
- Branches of the military
Veterans and workers employed in these industries prior to the 1970s have a higher risk of encountering asbestos products. However, virtually any individual may risk exposure. Asbestos lawyers Washington, DC provides may be able to help individuals who have suffered from an asbestos-related disease receive compensation for their losses.
Asbestos in Washington, DC
Even though Washington, DC is not historically a large industrial city, it does contain several old buildings that may pose a threat to residents and visitors. Asbestos lawyers Washington, DC residents can trust may inform residents the government buildings on Capitol Hill, embassies, military buildings and public offices may have been constructed with asbestos. During renovation or demolitions of these older buildings, asbestos may have been released into the air.
Another important fact about Washington, DC is that each branch of the military has at least one base located in the District, and military bases are infamous for their high levels of asbestos. Certain military buildings, such as Fort McNair and Bolling Air Force Base were once required to be insulated with asbestos. Individuals who served or lived in these bases may have inhaled asbestos fibers. If you believe you have been exposed to these dangerous particles then you should seek help from the asbestos lawyers Washington, DC trusts from Brown Kiely.
Mesothelioma and Other Diseases
Asbestos is generally not dangerous when its particles have not been disturbed. However, once an asbestos product is damaged or agitated, the particles can enter the air and any person can inhale the microscopic particles. The longer a person is exposed to asbestos, the higher risk they are at for developing a severe respiratory disease.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, you may be at risk for developing mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma is one of the more common diseases associated with asbestos. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it may be in your best interest to contact asbestos lawyers Washington, DC recommends as soon as possible. Lung cancer and asbestosis are two other diseases that have been directly linked to asbestos exposure.
As knowledgeable Washington, DC asbestos lawyers may explain, once asbestos has entered the body, it can become trapped in the lining of several important organs such as:
- The lungs, where it can become trapped in the lining called the pleura.
- The abdominal cavity, also called the peritoneum.
- Asbestos particles can even become trapped in the lining of the heart, called the pericardium.
Asbestos related diseases can vary from benign to malignant. No matter what degree of an asbestos-related disease you may have, you could have the right to compensation for your losses. It is important to seek out guidance from asbestos lawyers in Washington, DC who have experience with such cases.
Reclaiming Damages for Asbestos Exposure
Unfortunately, even after it was discovered that asbestos is an extremely toxic substance, some companies chose to continue using it in their products. Several of these companies have since been held liable in countless lawsuits. If you were exposed to asbestos because another party was negligent, you may also be able to reclaim your losses with the assistance of Washington, DC asbestos lawyers. If your settlement is successful, you might be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, and your overall pain and suffering.
Speak With Asbestos Lawyers Washington, DC Deserves
At Brown Kiely, our asbestos lawyers in Washington, DC understand that these types of personal injury claims can be very difficult for everyone involved. We aim to simplify legal proceedings for our clients so that they can focus on what really matters: spending time with their families, and tending to their health needs.
To schedule a consultation with a team of asbestos lawyers Washington, DC families trust, or for more information about asbestos-related lawsuits, contact our firm today.
Construction Industry and Asbestos
Were you exposed to asbestos at your place of employment? Is your employer liable for your medical bills? Asbestos exposure has been scientifically proven to cause certain types of cancer and can be fatal. If your employer knew about the presence of asbestos and failed to inform its employees and provide protection against the dangerous health risks related to asbestos exposure, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the company. Construction workers, by the very nature of their job, may have more opportunities to be exposed to the deadly substance and if their employer was aware of the danger and failed to take action, you need to contact Brown Kiely and speak to our asbestos lawyers in Washington, DC concerning the possibility of collecting damages caused by the asbestos exposure.
Why Is Asbestos Exposure More Prevalent in the Construction Industry?
Washington D.C. asbestos lawyers know that asbestos is found in many materials used in construction, such as floor tiles, siding, roofing materials, and ductwork insulation. Construction workers doing renovations, demolitions or repairs can be heavily exposed to asbestos fibers if, while during their work, the asbestos is disturbed releasing deadly fibers in the air. When inhaled, these fibers can be the cause of many deadly diseases. These include:
- Mesothelioma — cancer that invades the membrane lining of the stomach or lungs. This has been proven to be fatal.
- Lung cancer — one of the deadliest forms of cancer
- Asbestosis — scar tissue built up in the lungs which can cause the lung to cease functioning, resulting in severe disability and can be fatal.
Negligence Lawsuits
The most common lawsuit filed concerning asbestos exposure deals with negligence. There are three elements that asbestos lawyers in Washington, DC must be proven in order to file a successful negligence claim:
- Your employer (defendant) had a duty or responsibility to protect you from being exposed to asbestos
- Your employer breached that duty
- Because of the breach, you were harmed
There are OSHA regulations in place requiring employers to track the air quality in any circumstance where asbestos may be present. If the asbestos levels get to a certain level, protection must be required to be worn by the employees.
There are several means of protecting employees. The employer can install equipment to remove asbestos from the air. In addition, employers may require employees to wear respiration equipment in areas where it is known to be contaminated by asbestos. Also, limiting the amount of time employees are working in areas that may be contaminated by asbestos.
Any time an employer fails to protect its employees from being exposed to asbestos may be considered a breach of duty.
Types of Damages in Negligence Cases
If you are successful in the lawsuit against your employer for being negligent when it comes to being exposed to asbestos, you may be able to collect damages for:
- Lost wages (for the amount of time you were not able to work because of your injury)
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Quality of life diminished or altered as a result of the injury caused by asbestos exposure
Asbestos lawyers Washington, DC can evaluate your case and determine what damages you may be entitled to.
Enlist the assistance of an attorney experienced in asbestos cases. The asbestos lawyers Washington, DC clients recommend from Brown Kiely can work with the circumstances surrounding your illness and gather evidence and medical records to determine whether or not you have a case against your employer.
