Asbestos Exposure

Securing Compensation for Victims of Occupational Asbestos Exposure

Before the 1980s, asbestos was commonly used in a variety of building materials — including insulation — because it was inexpensive, fire-resistant, and easy to obtain. Asbestos is still found in many buildings throughout New York today, as well as at shipyards and throughout the manufacturing sector. Unfortunately, we now know that asbestos is extremely dangerous, with more than 107,000 worldwide deaths being linked to asbestos exposure each year according to the World Health Organization.

If you currently or previously worked in construction or manufacturing in New York, there is a very real risk that you may have been exposed to asbestos at work. This exposure could cause you to develop mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, among other serious medical conditions. You need to understand your legal options if you are exposed to asbestos! The Perecman Firm, is here to put 40+ years of proven experience to work for your case.

Call us today at (212) 577-9325 to get a free review with our New York City asbestos attorneys.

Asbestos Exposure Risks for Workers in New York

When breathed in, asbestos fibers can become trapped in the lining of your lungs and can form scar tissue. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, these asbestos fibers can remain latent in your lungs for 20 to 40 years, causing slow and steady damage to occur over time. Several decades after exposure, you could get a devastating diagnosis of an advanced form of aggressive cancer or other serious lung conditions.

Symptoms of asbestos exposure include:

• Regular cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Scarring of lung tissue

Despite knowing about these risks for decades, there are still people exposed to asbestos when they go to work every day. While construction workers are most at risk, they aren’t the only ones who could potentially breathe in asbestos while doing their jobs. Anyone working in an old building in New York, including teachers and office workers, could potentially be inhaling cancerous fibers into their lungs.

When this happens, it is impossible to tell if you will be one of the victims who develops mesothelioma or other serious conditions decades later. Some people never get sick despite years of exposure while others may have inhaled only a very small amount of asbestos fibers and will be diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Legal Rights After Exposure

If you were exposed to asbestos in New York and you got sick, you have legal options.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to:

• Recover from asbestos victim trust funds: Many manufacturers of asbestos have gone bankrupt, but trust funds have been set up to provide compensation for individuals who are sick due to asbestos exposure and who do not have anywhere else to turn in order to receive monetary damages.
• Sue the asbestos manufacturer or the makers of asbestos products: If you can prove the cause of your exposure was due to the manufacturer or maker and the manufacturer still has financial resources available, you can file an injury lawsuit.
• Make a workers’ compensation claim: You don’t have to prove your employer was negligent. You can receive coverage for medical bills and disability income provided you can show you were exposed to asbestos at work and are sick because of it.

The Perecman Firm, can help you understand your various legal options if you were exposed to asbestos in New York. Our New York City asbestos lawyers are ready to advocate for your rights.

Call us today at (212) 577-9325 or fill out a free case evaluation to begin.