Asbestos Symptoms, Laws, & Compensation

The US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) outlines laws relevant to asbestos exposure, and provides information regarding other asbestos laws. These laws are established by state and federal governments to regulate asbestos exposure at work and at home and to help those injured due to asbestos exposure seek compensation for their suffering. Asbestos is well documented as a serious cause of many diseases that can lead to injury, illness, disability or even death. If you or a loved one is exposed to asbestos or diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, asbestos laws are on your side. You will need competent legal help from a qualified asbestos attorney to pursue a legal case for compensation in the courts.

The government has enacted asbestos laws to protect people who suffer from the harmful effects of asbestos exposure. For example:

• Asbestosis is a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs that occurs when asbestos fibers have been inhaled. Lung function is impeded and death or disability can result
• Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Although symptoms may not appear for many years, once a patient is diagnosed their remaining life span is short. As an example, individuals exposed to asbestos in the 1940s may still develop mesothelioma, and may have less than a year to live after diagnosis.

Asbestos Laws for the Workplace

The Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) protects workers by enforcing enforces asbestos laws that define appropriate exposure levels for asbestos in the workplace. Workers cannot be exposed to more than 0.1 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter during an eight-hour work period. Additionally, workers may not be exposed to more than one fiber per cubic centimeter with in any thirty-minute period. Employers must frequently monitor exposure and must create regulated work areas, providing employees with the proper gear, including respiratory equipment, protective clothing, adequate access to hygiene, safe asbestos handling training, and routine health exams.

The FAIR Act - The Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act (FAIR) is under debate in Congress to create a trust fund of $140 billion dollars to assist asbestos-related illness victims. Although it sounds like a good idea, The FAIR Act would make it impossible to pursue an asbestos lawsuit against asbestos product manufacturers.

Using Asbestos Laws to Seek Compensation

State and federal civil statutes give victims of asbestos exposure the right to seek compensation for damages suffered from exposure to this potentially deadly substance.

Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost current and future earning capacity
• Loss of companionship
• Reduced lifespan
• Pain and suffering

The family of an individual who has died from complications related to asbestos exposure may seek to recover damages on behalf of their deceased loved one, according to current asbestos laws. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury, illness, disability or death due to asbestos exposure, seek immediate, qualified assistance from an asbestos attorney who is thoroughly familiar with current asbestos laws.

Exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of asbestos related illnesses. If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, schedule an immediate examination with your doctor, even though the effects of asbestos may not be immediately evident and, once symptoms do occur, are difficult to reverse. If you discover your health has been adversely affected by exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering. It is important to consult with an experienced asbestos attorney to learn about your rights.

More than 5,000 products currently in use contain Asbestos. Exposure can eventually prove deadly.

Health problems caused by asbestos exposure include:

• Asbestos Lung cancer Lawsuit
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Cancer of the larynx
• Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract

Recent studies link smoking with an increased risk of asbestos-related illness.

Because asbestos fibers float in the air and are breathed into the lungs, many people may be knowingly or unknowingly exposed. In small doses asbestos may cause no apparent health problems. However, when exposed to large doses of asbestos over extended time periods, health problems may develop. Symptoms from asbestos-related illnesses may not show up until 10 to 40 years after the initial exposure. This means individuals who work in high-risk industries, such as construction, demolition, shipping, mining, and automotive repair and highly susceptible to developing an asbestos related illness.

Aside from exposure in the workplace, asbestos can also be found in the home in two ways: fibers may be carried into the home on the clothing of a family member who works in a high-risk industry. Or the home may contain products that have asbestos as a component. Particularly in homes more than thirty years old, the United States Department Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggests scheduling an inspection with a qualified asbestos inspector to review areas of your home that may contain asbestos.

Areas to Check In Your Home for Asbestos:

• Cement pipes, wallboard, siding
• Asphalt and vinyl flooring
• Wall coverings, textured paints and coatings
• Construction glues
• Acoustic or decorative plaster
• Sprayed or blown-in insulation or duct, pipe, and boiler insulation
• Heating and electrical ducts
• Ceiling tiles
• Roofing felt and shingles
• Caulking, joint and spackling compounds

Symptoms of Asbestos Related Illnesses:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Bloody sputum
• Plague on the lungs visible via x-ray

Many other symptoms may also be present. You may have one or more of these symptoms and not have an asbestos related illness. A thorough examination by your doctor is crucial. Contacting an attorney is another important step, particularly if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related illness, or have worked or lived in an asbestos affected area. If you or your loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms and meets the criteria for having been exposed to asbestos at work or at home, do no delay in seeing your doctor and contacting a competent asbestos attorney to seek compensation for your suffering.