Demolition crews are highly vulnerable to the risk of occupational asbestos exposure. Many older buildings that get demolished or renovated contain asbestos, putting workers at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos particles and developing related diseases, such as mesothelioma. This is a rare and aggressive form of cancer with no known cure.
Bailey & Glasser, LLP connects victims to vital asbestos and mesothelioma resources. Our attorneys represent demolition crews, construction workers, renovators and others in similar industries who were exposed to asbestos on the job. We can help you bring a claim or lawsuit to hold wrongdoers accountable, such as the manufacturers of asbestos-containing building products or your contractor. Contact us today to learn more.
Diseases Connected to Occupational Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of six minerals that have all been confirmed as carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Exposure to asbestos can lead to many related health problems. Microscopic asbestos fibers and particles can get stuck inside the body, such as in the mesothelium (the protective membrane that surrounds many organs). Asbestos can get lodged there for many years and cause irritation, inflammation and scar tissue.
Eventually, exposure to asbestos can cause serious diseases and health problems, including:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Pleural plaques
- Pleural thickening
- Pleural effusion
- Lung cancer
- Other cancers
According to the National Cancer Institute, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. A demolition or construction worker who comes into contact with asbestos even once could develop a life-threatening condition later in life. The average latency period for mesothelioma is 20-60+ years – meaning many demolition workers do not realize they’ve been exposed to asbestos until many years later. Affected workers have the right to take legal action for occupational asbestos exposure even if it occurred years ago.
When to Contact an Asbestos Attorney as a Demolition Worker
Contacting an attorney about occupational asbestos exposure can help you understand your legal rights after being diagnosed with a serious illness, such as mesothelioma. An attorney can listen to your story and review your case to determine if it has merit. If so, your lawyer can help you file a workers’ compensation claim or lawsuit in pursuit of financial compensation for your losses.
An asbestos attorney will have connections to qualified experts, professional investigators and legal resources to help you through this difficult time in your life. You can trust your lawyer to handle the legal side of your case while you concentrate on your future. Bailey & Glasser, LLP has helped individuals and families with asbestos-related legal claims for many years. We are dedicated to helping demolition workers who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other illnesses by exposure to asbestos at work.
Common Building Products That Contain Asbestos
For many decades, until the federal government passed regulations regarding the use of asbestos in consumer products, it was utilized to manufacture thousands of products. Asbestos was especially popular in building and construction materials due to its natural durability and flame resistance, as well as its low price and abundance. Unfortunately, this means that thousands of buildings today still contain asbestos. When demolition crews work with these buildings, asbestos dust can be released into the air and expose workers to toxic fibers.
The building materials that often contain asbestos include:
- Adhesives and glues
- Cement
- Drywall
- Ductwork
- Electrical panels
- Floor and roof tiles
- Gaskets
- Heat barriers
- HVAC equipment
- Insulation
- Joint compounds
- Pipes
- Sheetrock
- Shingles
- Siding
- Spackling and caulks
- Textured sprays
- Transite products
Most cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases stem from regular or repeated exposure. This is why demolition, renovation and construction workers are at an increased risk of these health problems; they may be exposed to unhealthy amounts of asbestos daily. If an older building gets demolished, it can send asbestos into the air. Unprotected workers can inhale the asbestos particles, causing them to get trapped in the lungs. Ultimately, this can cause inflammation and scarring that results in serious health problems, including cancer.
How Does Occupational Exposure to Asbestos Happen to Demolition Crews?
The presence of asbestos in older buildings is well-known, as are the potential risks to demolition and renovation crews. There are currently many regulations in place to help protect workers from exposure to asbestos, including laws enacted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Every employer in an industry that involves asbestos has a responsibility to protect workers from this health risk by obeying these laws and offering employees the correct personal protective equipment.
Unfortunately, some employers are negligent, or fall short of the accepted standards of care. If an employee negligently fails to protect workers from the hazard of asbestos on the job, it can expose demolition crews to this dangerous mineral and ultimately lead to serious health problems. In this scenario, the negligent employer could be held financially responsible, or liable, for the demolition worker’s illness and related losses.
One example is a worksite that was not properly inspected, sealed or controlled to reduce the airborne levels of asbestos. The federal government allows the demolition of buildings without asbestos removal only if the amount of asbestos is less than the threshold. If asbestos exceeds the threshold, professional removal is required. If a demolition contractor negligently fails to ensure adequate asbestos safeguards – such as containing asbestos materials, providing respirators to workers and properly removing asbestos waste – it can be held responsible for a worker’s related illness or death.
Contact an Asbestos Attorney at Bailey & Glasser, LLP for Legal Help
You and your family may be eligible for financial compensation for your present and future necessary medical bills, losses of income, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the wrongful death of a loved one after being exposed to asbestos on a demolition crew. The team of asbestos attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can help you pursue justice if you are a victim of this type of asbestos exposure.
Demolition crews deserve proper protection from the threat of asbestos. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another illness connected to asbestos exposure after working in construction or demolition, please contact our law firm to request a free case consultation. We are committed to holding contractors, employers and product manufacturers accountable for this type of wrongdoing. Discuss a potential case when you contact us at (866) 871-7971.
