Why is it Important to Hire a Lawyer After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
Getting diagnosed with mesothelioma evokes many emotions, including frustration, worry, confusion, and anger. Contacting a lawyer who specializes in recovering damages after a mesothelioma diagnosis can help individuals figure out if they may be entitled to compensation for exposure to carcinogens that led to the development of the condition.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the soft tissues around the lungs, male genitals, or heart. Over time, mesothelioma causes respiratory difficulty and cardiovascular issues. It may also cause men to experience erectile dysfunction.
Although patients with mesothelioma can learn to manage their disease and get treated for it, they cannot cure it. Mesothelioma is aggressive. In most cases, mesothelioma leads to early death due to low long-term survival rates.
There are several types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma attacks the lungs. Pericardial mesothelioma is focused on the sacs around the heart. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdominal lining, and testicular mesothelioma rests in the genital area in male patients. It is possible for some people to receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma that covers more than one type of the cancer, such as a person who presents symptoms of both peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma.
How Do People Get Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma does not have a congenital or hereditary origin, although in rare cases, patients have contracted mesothelioma after undergoing radiation therapy. Instead, the vast majority of people with mesothelioma develop the condition after constant, high-level exposure to asbestos, such as while they were working at an asbestos-heavy job site or with the raw mineral asbestos itself. Asbestos is a substance that was once used in building materials, insulation, and manufacturing processes.
When undisturbed, asbestos is not dangerous to humans. When released into the air, asbestos fibers can be breathed into the body where they lodge in the soft tissues and lungs. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers cannot be surgically removed. After many years of being in the body, asbestos fibers encourage inflammation and scarring of the soft tissues and lung linings, frequently leading to mesothelioma.
It should be noted that mesothelioma does not usually develop in a few years. Many people discover that they have mesothelioma decades after exposure, such as during their retirement years.
What Occupations Put Workers at Risk for Contracting Mesothelioma?
Some occupations are known for putting workers in contact with asbestos on a regular basis. Employees who worked in mines or on construction projects prior to 1980 are at danger of being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Other industries and career choices linked to later-life mesothelioma include the following:
- Emergency medical professionals
- Firefighters
- Demolition workers
- HVAC technicians
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Military members
- Shipyard employees
- Asbestos mining professionals
- Textile mill personnel
- Auto repair technicians
Consequently, anyone over 45 years old who is working or worked in those fields may want to stay alert for the warning indicators of mesothelioma. Catching mesothelioma in its earliest stages offers the best chance for long-term survival.
What are the Signs of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma presents itself in a few key ways, although not everyone experiences every symptom of the cancer.
Patients with mesothelioma commonly report the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in and around the chest
- Feeling of heaviness in the chest
- Stomach pains
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss
- Sudden and unexplained appetite loss
- Dry and hacking cough
- Swelling of the upper and lower abdomen
- Pain when breathing
- Lumps under the skin of the chest
Anyone who has these warning signals should make an appointment with a family physician or work with an oncologist immediately. The faster someone gets diagnosed with mesothelioma, the faster the person can take action to minimize effects.
How Does a Person Get Diagnosed with Mesothelioma?
Only a trained physician can properly diagnose and treat mesothelioma. After an initial consultation and examination, the doctor will order X-rays, MRIs, CT scans or other image-related evaluation tools. Bloodwork may also be drawn to indicate the presence of cancer. Doctors may also require that patients undergo a biopsy of tissues in and around the chest, abdomen, or genitals.
How is Mesothelioma Treated?
Mesothelioma treatment varies, depending upon how far along the cancer has progressed. Patients may respond well to more invasive procedures, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Clinical trials of alternative, untested trials may be available for some patients, depending upon the type and staging of the mesothelioma.
How Can a Person Get Damages for a Job-Related Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
As with any diagnosis of a serious health condition, mesothelioma is not just a terrifying disease to have, it is also very expensive. Many families with a household member who receives a mesothelioma diagnosis are devastated emotionally and financially. Paying out-of-pocket expenses for chemotherapy treatments and medications can lead to bills in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. This can wipe out an individual’s or couple’s savings for retirement quickly, leaving nothing.
The good news is that many people with job-related mesothelioma have been able to recover significant damages from their former employers. In fact, a large pool of money is available for mesothelioma victims. However, mesothelioma patients typically choose to work with legal representatives rather than try to go after damages on their own.
How Can a Lawyer Help Someone Recover Fair Compensation for Mesothelioma?
Working with a lawyer to recover compensation makes sense for the majority of people and families dealing with a life-changing mesothelioma diagnosis. Lawyers can be a bridge between victims and the fair compensation they deserve. Attorneys and their teams will also help build a strong case to prove that the mesothelioma was a direct result of employment rather than caused by something else.
Even if it seems as if a person’s mesothelioma is linked to a prior occupation, corporate and insurance lawyer teams will try to prove otherwise. Since mesothelioma happens so long after exposure to asbestos, getting proper documentation to prove causality can be difficult. Attorneys well-versed in fighting for mesothelioma clients understand how to streamline the process. Lawyers already working for mesothelioma patients will have inroads to experts who can help prove these cases.
Delaware Mesothelioma Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Help Victims Reach Fair Settlements to Cover Their Medical Bills and Pain and Suffering
Mesothelioma treatments can be very costly, so it is essential to receive compensation. If you recently received a mesothelioma diagnosis, contact one of our Delaware mesothelioma lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445 for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Is Mesothelioma a Threat During Natural Disasters?
When a natural disaster occurs, it throws everyone into a state of crisis management. However, it can also pose unexpected threats in terms of the health of survivors and disaster workers.
In fact, development of mesothelioma can be an outcome of spending time at a site post-disaster where asbestos is present. For this reason, all people assisting with the aftermath of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters should take precautions.
Where is Asbestos Located?
For about a century, the naturally occurring mineral asbestos was used in a variety of situations. Innovators began adding asbestos to lots of construction and interior design materials and applications. This is why most buildings constructed prior to 1980 likely contain some form of asbestos.
Why is Asbestos Dangerous?
When asbestos remains undisturbed, it is not an immediate health concern. Problems usually occur when asbestos is jostled around, and the particles become airborne.
Asbestos that has been disturbed can release dust into the environment. The dust consists of tiny particles that have a tendency to stay in the body when inhaled or ingested. Over time, buildup of those particles harms soft tissues, especially in the lungs, resulting in asbestos-related diseases.
How Does Asbestos Become Airborne During Natural Disasters?
Natural disasters destroy and damage properties. Winds pick up roofs and structures. Floodwaters cause foundations to shift. Fire peels paint off siding and walls. As a result, buildings composed of asbestos may release asbestos fibers into the air. Anyone around or in the buildings at the time of the disaster, or after the disaster, can come in contact with the harmful particles.
Who is at Risk of Inhaling or Ingesting Asbestos After a Natural Disaster?
Practically anyone involved in a natural disaster scene can be at risk of accidentally inhaling or ingesting freed asbestos, including emergency medical personnel and disaster workers. Even reporters sent to give updates on the damage caused by a natural disaster may inadvertently take in asbestos fibers.
How to Avoid Asbestos Exposure
People will always be needed after a natural disaster to help clean up and rescue people and animals. Nonetheless, those people can protect themselves against exposure to asbestos by wearing protective gear and by safely disposing materials and rubble.
Emergency personnel, like firefighters, as well as homeowners, can also dress in gear that covers them from head to toe. Some professionals wear disposable coveralls and Hazmat suits. After exposure at a disaster site, individuals should shower thoroughly to remove remaining particles.
In terms of getting rid of materials that may contain asbestos, people can wet items to decrease the chances of the asbestos making it into the air. Using heavy duty gloves and equipment, they can move the debris into bags, double-bagging when appropriate and possible. The debris can then be properly disposed of in a landfill or at another waste facility.
What are Typical Warning Signs of Asbestos-Related Medical Conditions?
Usually, asbestos-related problems take years to develop. This is why many first responders who went to major disaster scenes felt fine until a long time after the experience. However, breathing in a great deal of asbestos may cause earlier symptoms for some people.
A few of the most notable symptoms of mesothelioma or other types of asbestos-related medical conditions include the following:
- Respiratory problems
- Tremendous fatigue
- Chest pains
- Difficulty performing tasks that require exertion
- Dry cough
- Unusual and unexplained weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Nausea or bloating
Individuals who were present during a natural disaster and its aftermath who experience medical concerns should immediately make an appointment with a trusted physician.
What if an Emergency Worker Develops Mesothelioma Years After a Natural Disaster?
First responders who are diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another related disease should contact their employers. At the same time, emergency workers should seek legal representation.
Delaware Mesothelioma Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Protect People Who Were Exposed to Asbestos
Were you recently exposed to asbestos? If so, speak to one of our Delaware mesothelioma lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. today. Call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
What Medical Conditions Are Caused by Environmental Contamination?
Environmental contamination affects more than just the natural environment. Pollution can have devastating health effects on individuals exposed to toxins in their daily lives. Recognizing the most common medical conditions resulting from environmental contamination is an important step in holding polluters responsible for the harm they cause. Some of the most frequently occurring medical conditions which can develop after exposure to toxins includes cancer, heart problems, and brain tumors.
What Cancers Are Caused by Environmental Contamination?
One of the most widely reported health consequences linked to environmental contamination is the development of cancer. Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related disease and one of the most severe medical conditions that can be caused by pollution, it is a rare form of cancer in the outer lining of the lungs. Each year, almost 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with this deadly disease, which can take years to manifest after the initial exposure to asbestos.
Risks of developing skin cancers, including melanoma, increases with prolonged sun exposure, but also with exposure to environmental pollution. Scientists believe when airborne pollutants deplete the protective ozone layer, individuals are exposed to greater amounts of damaging ultraviolet radiation. Direct skin exposure to other pollutants, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons, such as DMBA, also may lead to the development of some types of skin cancer.
Exposure to miniscule particulate pollutants have been traced to the development of liver cancer, the toxins stimulate the growth of hepatic tumors and low-grade inflammation in some exposure victims. Other types of cancers which can result from environmental contamination include leukemia and cancer of the lung or colon.
Can Environmental Contamination Cause Heart-Related Conditions?
Pollution can contribute to cardiovascular conditions. According to research conducted by the American Heart Association, air pollution is connected to an increased risk of heart disease and fatal cardiovascular disease. Particulate matter pollution can be especially dangerous to individuals who may develop atherosclerosis, triggering acute heart attacks.
What Can Cause Brain Tumors?
Research indicates individuals exposed to certain airborne pollutants face an increased risk of developing brain tumors. Tumors can be cancerous or otherwise harmful to normal brain functioning. The presence of a brain tumor is not the only effect caused by environmental contamination. Many individuals exposed to toxins experience other brain-related deficits, including memory loss, brain inflammation, and cognitive functioning problems.
Other medical conditions related to environmental contamination include hepatitis A, emphysema, and other respiratory illnesses.
How Can you Obtain Compensation?
Individuals suffering from a medical condition resulting from environmental contamination often face additional financial stresses. The costs of ongoing medical treatment, prescription drugs, occupational or physical therapy, and lost wages can be overwhelming for families. Filing a civil lawsuit against those companies responsible for releasing toxic materials into the environment, including the manufacturers, distributors, and marketers of contaminated products, can result in an award of damages.
Millsboro Environmental Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Help Victims Obtain Compensation for Illnesses Caused by Environmental Contamination
If you have developed a serious medical condition after being exposed to environmental contamination, we can help you. Our Millsboro environmental lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. help obtain compensation for toxic exposure victims. Contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445 for a free consultation today. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients throughout Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Causation in Toxic Torts Claims
Toxic torts claims typically arise when a person is exposed to a toxic substance at work or through consumer products, pharmaceutical drugs, or the environment. Employers, manufacturers, and suppliers may all be held liable for any injuries resulting from such toxic exposure.
Those who suffer bodily injury or death due to environmental toxins may even be able to hold the appropriate government entity liable for its negligent acts or omissions, according to the exceptions to immunity under the Delaware Tort Claims Act. Although toxic tort cases vary greatly, all plaintiffs must prove the same basic elements in order to prevail, the most challenging of which is causation.
Elements of a Toxic Tort Case
In toxic tort claims against an individual, corporation, or government entity, a plaintiff must prove three basic elements:
- Dangerous substance: The substance in question must be dangerous, which is typically established through expert testimony.
- Exposure: The plaintiff must have been exposed to the substance in question, either at home, at work, or through ingestion.
- Harm: The substance in question must have caused harm to the plaintiff in the form of either physical injury or illness.
Challenges of Proving Causation
Often, the most challenging element of a toxic tort case is to prove causation. Even if it is established that the substance is toxic and that the plaintiff was exposed to it, plaintiffs will not be able to recover unless they can prove that the substance caused their injury or illness.
Plaintiffs must be able to show that their injury or illness would not have resulted otherwise. This can be challenging due to the variety of potential causes for illnesses. For example, someone may develop lung cancer from exposure to asbestos in the workplace, but they may also develop it from smoking cigarettes.
Further compounding the issue is the long latency period associated with certain diseases like mesothelioma, which can take up to 50 years to manifest. Given the typical two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases, many toxic tort plaintiffs would be barred from recovery. However, courts recognize this complication and follow the discovery rule, which is that time does not start running on the statute of limitations until the plaintiff actually discovers the harm.
Creating a Successful Toxic Tort Claim
To create a successful toxic tort claim, plaintiffs must be able to overcome the hurdles associated with causation. Some ways they can do so include:
- Having solid medical testimony from medical experts showing the link between the toxic substance and the plaintiff’s injury or illness.
- Showing the prevalence of similar illnesses in those who were exposed to the same toxic substance.
- Obtaining evidence of the toxic exposure, such as pictures, records, product recalls or other public warnings.
Georgetown Toxic Tort Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Advocate for Those Injured by Dangerous Products or Substances
If you were injured by a dangerous product or toxic substance, contact one of our Georgetown toxic tort lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. today. Our dedicated attorneys will fight to get you the compensation you deserve from those responsible for your toxic exposure. Contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445 for a free consultation. From our offices in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the state including those in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Most High-Risk Jobs for Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is now highly regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency; however, prior to its restriction, many people experienced asbestos exposure to asbestos in the workplace. Those who develop asbestos-related diseases due to workplace exposures may be entitled to compensation.
Construction Workers
Those in the construction industry may have been exposed to asbestos a few decades ago when asbestos was widely used in building materials. Construction work remains one of the most high-risk jobs for asbestos exposure, especially for those who perform demolition or remodeling projects.
Farmers
Agricultural workers were often exposed to asbestos when working in and around equipment and buildings containing asbestos. Where asbestos occurs naturally, farmers may have disturbed deposits, exposing them to the released asbestos fibers. Since asbestos fibers can attach to hair, skin, and clothing, family members of farmers may have developed asbestos-related diseases from secondary exposure.
Firefighters
Firefighters may be exposed to asbestos and other hazardous toxins when working in and around buildings built before 1980. Many firefighters and other first responders at the scene of the tragic event of 9/11 developed mesothelioma and other cancers decades later due to that one-time exposure. Firefighters should always use protective equipment, such as respirators when working around potentially asbestos-containing materials.
Industrial Workers
Those who work in manufacturing plants, power plants, and factories are at high risk for workplace asbestos exposure. Many industrial workers encountered asbestos-containing products, such as cement, gaskets, roofing materials, and adhesives. Such workers may also have been exposed to asbestos from the buildings themselves, many of which were constructed before 1980.
Mechanics
Automotive, aircraft, and heavy equipment mechanics work with auto parts, such as brake pads and linings which used to contain asbestos. Most United States manufacturers do not use asbestos in their products anymore; however, these materials may still contain significant amounts of asbestos if they are obtained from other countries.
Metal Workers
Those who weld, fabricate, and install metal pieces are at risk of asbestos exposure. Such employees often encounter asbestos-containing materials, including insulation, welding rods, and asbestos cement. Metal workers also often wear asbestos-containing protective gear.
Shipbuilders and Shipyard workers
Shipbuilders, shipyard workers, and other maritime workers are at high risk for asbestos exposure because asbestos was heavily used in the industry. Nearly every part of ships and naval vessels contained asbestos, including insulation, valves, pipe coverings, and boilers. Close quarters and heavy concentrations of asbestos only increases the chances of workers developing an asbestos-related disease.
Health Problems Related to Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace
Those with high-risk jobs for asbestos exposure may not show symptoms of an asbestos-related illness until decades later. Some forms of lung cancer have particularly long latency periods and may take up to 50 years to develop. Asbestos has been linked to various illnesses including:
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Pleural plaques
Dover Asbestos Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Help Workers Obtain Compensation for Illnesses Caused by Asbestos Exposure
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, contact one of our experienced lawyers today. Our accomplished Dover asbestos lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help you get the compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445 to schedule a free consultation. From our offices in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Regulated Asbestos Testing in Talc Products is Overdue
Asbestos related illnesses are a driving concern, in early February 2020, the FDA held a panel that discussed the rising concern about asbestos in talcum powder and cosmetics that are created with talc. The public conversation centered on ways to reduce unintended consumer exposure to asbestos by improving safety measures during the manufacturing process. Although regulations already exist to stop asbestos from getting into talc, recent concerns about tainted Johnson & Johnson talc have created widespread concern over the topic.
Asbestos in Talc Products
Once used in many industries, asbestos consists of a naturally occurring mineral that has heat-resistant properties. For this reason, it was traditionally used to make items with these characteristics, like building insulations. However, asbestos fibers can be breathed in when they are released into the air, causing damage to the lungs. Once in the body, asbestos fibers can compromise lung capacity and can lead to respiratory and systemic diseases, including asbestosis, pleurisy, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
Much like asbestos, talc is also a mineral found in the ground. When crushed and processed, talc makes an excellent liquid absorber. Many cosmetics and toiletry items rely on talc to reduce body and face shine and oil, as well as lessen unwanted moisture levels and some odors. Cross-contamination between talc and traces of asbestos, which may exist in the same places and be mined concurrently, has become a growing worry among talc users and safety organizations.
How Talc is Tested
With all the concerns about talc, the testing methods used by talc-producing companies remains relatively unregulated. Most businesses that sell talc-related products police themselves, meaning the standards for examining the purity of the talc wavers. Proponents of more consistent talc testing methodologies argue that the only way to keep talc free from asbestos is with heavier regulatory guidelines.
At least one agency that promotes safety in consumer products has suggested that all items containing talc should contain a buyer warning about the potential presence of asbestos. Such warning labels are not unheard of, and proponents believe they help buyers stay informed before they use merchandise. In the meantime, no specific measures have been undertaken as a result of the February FDA forum.
Allegations of Carcinogens in Talc
Already, many lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and other companies that produce goods containing talc, including baby powder, personal hygiene body powder, and makeup.
In each lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that the use of contaminated talc led to cancer. Defendants have publicly claimed that the allegations are unfounded. Nevertheless, a 2018 report showed that Johnson & Johnson knew its talc occasionally contained amounts of asbestos and did nothing to stop the batches of contaminated talc from hitting retail shelves.
Other talc-related lawsuits are being brought forth in the courts. Personal injury lawyers across the country are watching the results carefully on behalf of future clients. Already, several cases have settled for various amounts. Consumers who have been diagnosed with lung cancer and used talc or talc-based cosmetics, may want to contact attorneys to discuss options.
Wilmington Asbestos Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Advocate for Those Suffering Asbestos-Related Illnesses
If you are regularly exposed to talc and suffer an illness, you may be eligible for compensation. Asbestos testing in talc products needs to be improved in order to protect those who are consistently exposed to talcum powder. Our experienced Wilmington asbestos lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. will evaluate your case and determine if you qualify for compensation. Contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445 for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, New Jersey, we also serve clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Construction Workers and Mesothelioma
Those unfamiliar with mesothelioma may have first heard the term on the news or on television commercials years ago. People who are familiar with mesothelioma know that it is directly linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos was a commonly used building material, so construction workers are often affected by its harmful effects.
Brief History on Asbestos
The first person who made the connection between asbestos and cancer was by a German researcher, H.W. Wedler. He found that 20 percent of German asbestos workers developed cancer, including mesothelioma. In 1960, an important study was published in the British Journal of Medicine. The researchers shared information about 33 mesothelioma cases that were found in Cape Province in South Africa, where the residents were exposed to crocidolite asbestos mining.
Even though manufacturing companies were aware of the risks, they kept it from the general public. It was not until the late 1900’s that people began to learn about the dangers of asbestos. Currently in the United States, it is not frequently used in construction, but the risks are still there.
Construction Workers at Risk
Florida’s Moffitt Cancer Center listed construction as one of the highest-risk occupations for getting mesothelioma. A study from Italy analyzed 952 mesothelioma cases, and 25 percent of them were construction workers. Even though the use of asbestos declined in the 1980s, construction workers are still at risk for asbestos exposure. Demolition and renovation projects on older buildings can subject these workers to asbestos when the material is exposed to air or even touched by someone’s fingernails.
Asbestos is a strong, durable, fire-resistant material that works effectively for sheetrock, bricks, shingles, sidings, steel beams, cement, and other materials. It is used in commercial and residential buildings and even in household appliances, like toasters. Problems occur when construction workers that are handling asbestos are not protected.
How Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma
Since asbestos is flaky and tiny, sharp fibers easily break off and enter the air. It can then contaminate the oxygen that enters the body. The fibers have sharp, pointed edges that can damage sensitive tissue in the body. Three of the most vulnerable areas are the pericardium, the pleura, and the peritoneum; the pericardium lines the heart, the pleura separates the chest and lung cavity, and the peritoneum covers the abdominal cavity.
When asbestos fibers enter one of the three membranes, they can get stuck in the lining and irritate the cells. This can lead to cellular mutation that can form mesothelioma tumors. This process can have a latency period up to 70 years; this is the main reason why construction workers with mesothelioma have difficulties proving that their occupation caused the disease. Early diagnosis techniques have not been perfected, and the cancer is considered uncurable.
Georgetown Mesothelioma Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar Offer Trusted Legal Guidance for Construction Workers with Mesothelioma
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other job-related illness, you may be eligible for compensation. Our knowledgeable Georgetown mesothelioma lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar will provide you legal guidance about your case and fight to protect your rights. Contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445 for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington, Delaware, we also serve clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
Asbestos Exposure to Children Remains in Philadelphia Schools
Asbestos has been found in yet another school building in Philadelphia. District administrators are scrambling to make plans for keeping school children from being exposed to the airborne toxins. Still, in the thick of an asbestos remediation project that has displaced 1,000 students at the joint site of Benjamin Franklin High School and the Science Leadership Academy in the Spring Garden section of the city, the school district has recognized that there has been a significant delay in dealing with an additional asbestos site inside Thomas M. Peirce Elementary in North Philadelphia, home to an additional 437 students.
Parents at T.M. Peirce are irate that the district still lacks a plan to remediate their school, more than six weeks after the site of damaged asbestos was discovered. The school board and superintendent claimed that recent budget cuts have affected staffing and made it difficult to address the number of active asbestos cases being discovered in the district’s buildings.
Asbestos Background
Before the use of asbestos in construction materials was banned in the 1980s, homes and buildings, including school buildings, were routinely constructed using the fibrous material that has since become synonymous with airborne industrial hazards. For the most part, the danger remained contained for years behind walls or in ceilings, undisturbed. Builders and renovation companies that would encounter the material on occasion knew to recognize and avoid it by having it carefully remediated before work could continue. However, it is more than just construction workers who face the threat of asbestos exposure.
School Dangers
Students and teachers who learn and work in asbestos-contaminated buildings are wholly unaware of the dangers that exist right under their noses. Without training to identify asbestos products and materials, these educators and innocent children are unknowingly exposing themselves to harmful dust daily.
Asbestos Encounters
As asbestos-containing materials age, they become brittle and release harmful dust into the environment. When people inhale the dust, their lungs become damaged by its small abrasive particles. Prolonged or repeated exposure damages the lungs with microscopic lacerations that do not heal. Over time, the damage causes breathing problems, fluid in the lungs, and chest pain. These symptoms are associated with mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer that can incubate for decades before symptoms appear and lead to a diagnosis.
Georgetown Toxic Mold Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Fight for Asbestos Exposure Victims
Asbestos is an inhalable poison. Asbestos-caused lung damage is irreparable. If you are suffering from asbestos-related lung damage, contact a Georgetown toxic mold lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. We can help you collect damages for your medical bills and to compensate you for your illness. Contact us online or call us at 302-656-5445 to schedule a free consultation. With offices in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the state, including Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
What is Secondary Asbestos Exposure?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material. It has several beneficial properties and has been used for many years in products designed to provide fire retardant and insulating properties. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos poses a serious risk of lung disease, including asbestosis and mesothelioma, which is a form of lung cancer.
Asbestos breaks up into tiny fibrous particles that can remain airborne for significant amounts of time. The particles have a rough texture and tend to stick to surfaces, such as shoes, clothing, and hair. When inhaled, the particles stick to the lung where they may cause damage and disease.
Primary Asbestos Exposure
Primary asbestos exposure happens when a person directly handles asbestos. This mostly occurs in the course of employment. Examples include mining raw material, as well as handling and manufacturing asbestos-containing products.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure
Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when someone comes in contact with a person who has experienced primary asbestos exposure. Dangers of secondary asbestos exposure were recognized as early as 1897 when a physician noted asbestos workers, as well as their family members, were experiencing ill health. Secondary asbestos exposure was not recognized as a problem in the U.S. until the 1960s.
The danger of secondary exposure is far from trivial. Asbestos is so dangerous that exposure to even small amounts risks disease. A study performed in 1978 found that women with secondary exposure had an increased risk of mesothelioma compared to the general population. The typical victims of secondary asbestos exposure are family members, friends, and associates of a person who experienced primary asbestos exposure. In fact, most secondary asbestos exposure victims are women whose husbands are primarily exposed. Sadly, many children of asbestos workers are also affected.
The primary sources of secondary exposure include vehicles, personal contact, furniture, and laundry. Washing asbestos-contaminated clothes in household laundry facilities both fails to remove the asbestos effectively and contaminates other clothes being washed.
Today, the risk of asbestos workers bringing home contamination is decreased due to strict OSHA standards. Employees must be provided with personal protective equipment to prevent inhalation, skin contact, and contamination of clothing. In addition, employers must provide adequate shower and changing facilities to minimize the risk of secondary asbestos exposure. Unfortunately, not all employers satisfy OSHA standards.
Establishing Liability
Establishing liability for asbestos exposure victims can be a challenge. Asbestos disease usually has a latency period of 20 years or more. The plaintiff must be able to identify the source of the asbestos. A successful claim will also need to show fault for failing to sufficiently warn of the danger of exposure and/or to protect against the danger. A victim who did not directly work with the asbestos-containing material may not know which product contributed to their exposure. This is most common when the primary exposure victim has passed away.
Victims of secondary asbestos exposure have been awarded compensation. In 2006, New Jersey’s Supreme Court held that spouses of asbestos workers may hold companies liable for illnesses caused by secondary exposure. In 2016, it extended the duty of care to anyone who lived with asbestos workers, including children, domestic partners, and visitors.
Dover Asbestos Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Represent Clients Harmed Due to Asbestos Exposure
If you were exposed to asbestos and developed an illness due to exposure, contact the Dover asbestos lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. today. We have represented victims of both primary and secondary asbestos exposure. For a free consultation, call us at 302-656-5445 or complete an online form. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the state, including Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.
9/11 Mesothelioma Deaths on the Rise
Many people have heard of mesothelioma, a type of cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. In fact, mesothelioma has been linked with numerous occupations, including working as an emergency first responder. First responders regularly encounter burning or falling debris. If the debris contains particles of asbestos, they can be inhaled and lead to the development of mesothelioma years later. According to the latest reports, this has been happening more frequently to some of the first responders who were on the scene when the New York World Trade Center’s twin towers collapsed on September 11, 2001.
Serious Medical Fallout
When 9/11 occurred, officers, firefighters, and other first responders never thought about their own safety. Instead, they rushed into burning and destabilizing buildings in the hopes of helping people avoid injuries and fatalities. During the commotion, the materials that made up the towers began to fall from above, lingering in the air. Even workers who wore masks could not help but breathe in the toxins.
Nearly two decades later, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has released information stating that officers who were onsite at the World Trade Center during 9/11 have died in record numbers. In fact, their deaths have occurred 10 times as fast as would usually be expected. Currently, the number of deaths of NYPD’s finest who were at the towers on 9/11 hovers just below 250.
In addition to NYPD officers, the firefighters who helped on that day have also shown a significant increase in illnesses and deaths. Specifically, firefighters who worked on 9/11 are 19 percent more apt to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, ostensibly because the dust coming from the buildings contained serious amounts of asbestos fibers.
Attention for 9/11 Mesothelioma Deaths
Despite research and evidence linking first responder deaths and illnesses with mesothelioma, some victims and their families feel they are not receiving the compensation they deserve. Though the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund has paid some claims to workers or surviving relatives, many worry the fund will run out of money before everyone diagnosed with mesothelioma has been adequately compensated. However, President Donald J. Trump has signed measures into law to keep the fund solvent until 2092.
Still, plenty of social scientists, politicians, and doctors worry that 9/11 mesothelioma deaths may only be the tip of the iceberg. They suggest that other cancers and conditions, including prostate cancer, could also affect survivors, which might make it tough for a claim to be accepted and paid.
Delaware Mesothelioma Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Help 9/11 Victims Diagnosed With Cancer
If you were at the site of the World Trade Center on or after September 11, and you ultimately received a diagnosis of mesothelioma or another type of cancer, a Delaware mesothelioma lawyer at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. can help. Call us at 302-656-5445 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients throughout Dover, Sussex County, and New Castle County.