Thousands of former and current plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters may have been exposed to toxic asbestos exposure in construction, shipbuilding, and Maintenance Crews. Regardless of where a plumber was working, the chances are they have directly or indirectly worked around asbestos products in the last 50 years.
In fact, workers are still at risk of asbestos exposure as many buildings and workplaces throughout the country still contain the toxic material. Plumbers and pipefitters regularly worked with asbestos thermal insulation and asbestos pipe repair materials.
This includes pipes, boilers, ducts and tanks containing asbestos insulation as well as joint compounds, cement, pipe block, valves, gaskets, pipe coating and welding rods.
Nearly any plumber or pipefitter that worked into the 1980s could be at risk of developing severe health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
When plumbers and pipefitters are in enclosed spaces as they cut, saw and assemble essential plumbing components that contain asbestos, toxic fibers are released into the air and easily inhaled and ingested. The accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs can cause inflammation and scarring that can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos was used in pipes, boilers, ducts and tanks because it is an effective heat and fire resistant material. Since many of the areas plumbers work are short on air circulation, the Workplace Ventilation Risks and asbestos fibers made the occupation extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, many employers failed to warn their workers of the health risks, even after it was well-known that asbestos causes cancer.
Asbestos fibers can spread up to 50-75 feet from the work being performed. The toxic fibers can be airborne and cause plumbing asbestos exposure, and also carried home on clothes and on the person, exposing families to the toxins.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns of other plumbing and pipefitting hazards, including:
Plumbers and pipe fitters used asbestos-containing materials in both the pipe walls and the pipe wrapping. Asbestos seemed like the best material for pipes and wrapping because it is lightweight, cheap, durable, and fire resistant.
Asbestos also lowers electrical conductivity in steel pipes making them safer around current and static charges in ships and in manufacturing facilities. Potential asbestos products include the following:
Lung cancer and mesothelioma have a long latency period, and plumbers and pipefitters may not be diagnosed for up to 40 years after exposure. Symptoms of lung diseases like asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma can include:
Pipefitters, steamfitters and plumbers who have been exposed to an unsafe work environment may have a viable personal injury claim against a former employer and a list of manufacturers with Asbestos settlement funds. Any victim of plumbing asbestos exposure should seek professional medical attention and contact a mesothelioma cancer lawyer to investigate the root cause.
Each asbestos illness is unique and may be the result of either acute exposure or long-term exposure to toxic materials. The results are all devastating with victims falling ill, often many years after initial exposure.
Any family member who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis or asbestosis may have a valuable claim against a former employer.
Many experience asbestos exposure through the workplace. Workplaces may have been filled with toxic materials, and employers may have failed to warn of the serious health risks of the job. Filing a suit helps to raise the awareness of job safety.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was first utilized in the early 1900s for its insulating abilities, fireproof properties, and versatility. It has been estimated that over 30 million tons of asbestos was used in the American economy in industrial yards, homes, schools, shipyards, and other workplaces.
The natural breakdown of asbestos products and subsequent sawing or cutting of the asbestos creates dust and fibers that are inhaled and can lead to mesothelioma and other severe forms of lung cancer.
When asbestos breaks down over time or with use, the fibers of the material can become airborne, presenting a risk of inhaling or ingesting the toxin. Asbestos is a cancer-causing agent, and those heavily exposed can develop scarring in the lungs and later develop lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestos was widely used in piping, insulation, electrical components, machine parts, packaging, flooring, ceiling tiles, roofing, and in many building materials.
If you were exposed to asbestos at your workplace, and have developed cancer or a related illness, you are likely to qualify for compensation.
Asbestos was cheap, durable, fire-resistant and light, and was though to be the perfect insulating material before research showed it was extremely hazardous to the health.
The success rates of settlements regarding asbestos exposure injury are quite high. It may be necessary to prove that occupational exposure is the primary cause of lung cancer or mesothelioma, though this is the job of The Lyon Firm, and we have experience in reaching large mesothelioma settlements.
Our Firm will help you find the answers. The Firm has the experience, resources and dedication to take on difficult and emotional cases and help our clients obtain the justice for the wrong they have suffered.
Experience: Joe Lyon is an experienced Asbestos Lawyer. The Lyon Firm has 19 years of experience and success representing individuals and plaintiffs in all fifty states, and in a variety of complex civil litigation matters. Asbestos lawsuits can be complex and require industry experts to determine the root cause of an accident or injury. Mr. Lyon has worked with experts nationwide to assist individuals understand why an injury occurred and what can be done to improve their lives in the future. Some cases may go to a jury trial, though many others can be settled out of court.
Resources/Dedication: The Lyon Firm is dedicated to building the strongest cases possible for clients and their critical interests.
Results: Mr. Lyon has obtained numerous seven and six figure asbestos settlements.
Asbestos can be found in factories, warehouses, hospitals, schools, homes built before 1980, construction sites, and in many military installations. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there are 75 different jobs that can expose workers to asbestos, with those jobs primarily involving construction and manufacturing. Thousands of American workers are still exposed to asbestos each year.
Mesothelioma is a serious illness that has been linked to asbestos exposure in medical literature. It is estimated that there will be thousands of new cases due to the latency period of 20-50 years after being first exposed to asbestos.
The Lyon Firm aggressively, professionally, and passionately advocates for injured individuals and families against companies due to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos (Mesothelioma)
Asbestos (Mesothelioma)
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