Individuals who work in construction often encounter asbestos exposure. Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford is committed to seeking justice for construction workers exposed to asbestos.
There is a clear and unmistakable link between mesothelioma, construction workers, and asbestos exposure. Those who previously worked in the construction industry may have been unknowingly exposed to building materials contaminated with asbestos. Construction workers can also be exposed to asbestos during demolition and renovation projects.
In decades past, asbestos was widely used throughout the construction industry. Only after potentially millions of construction workers were exposed to asbestos did the toxicity and dangers of asbestos become clear. Construction workers and asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma in those workers.
If you or a close family member have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after working in the construction industry, Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC may be able to help. Let us use our firm’s years of experience in fighting for mesothelioma patients and their families to help you get the financial damages you deserve.
The Associated General Contractors of America estimates that there are presently up to 7.6 million construction workers in the U.S.
While not every construction worker is at risk of asbestos exposure, those who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma. In fact, it is very rare to develop mesothelioma without known exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma typically develops after construction workers have inhaled microscopic asbestos fibers around the jobsite. These fibers can become airborne if the material has been moved or unsettled in some way.
There are a variety of ways by which construction workers can be exposed to asbestos. These various pathways of asbestos exposure include:
Building materials that included asbestos were widely available until the government began restricting its use in the 1970s.
Construction workers who are tasked with demolishing walls, floors, roofs, or other structures in older buildings may be exposed to asbestos. The risk of asbestos exposure exists even if the contaminated materials are replaced.
There is no way to know whether building materials like tiles, shingles, and drywall are made with asbestos unless they are properly labeled. You may have been exposed to asbestos-laden construction materials without realizing it.
Because it is lightweight, durable, and heat-resistant, asbestos made its way into a variety of building materials. Some materials included:
Vermiculite insulation was also popular for insulating homes and other structures. The vast majority of the vermiculite used in such applications was taken from a mine in Libby, Montana. The mine was also contaminated with asbestos. Products made using vermiculite from Libby would also, therefore, have asbestos.
Construction workers who later develop mesothelioma deserve answers about their diagnosis. They may want to know where they were exposed to asbestos and whether their employer knew of the dangers. The answers to these questions can provide much-needed closure and determine whether compensation is available.
Assistance from an experienced law firm can help show the circumstances under which construction workers and asbestos exposure occurred.
At Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC, we take our clients’ needs seriously. We fight to help them find answers and hold their employers and manufacturers accountable for asbestos exposure.
You may wonder if you have been exposed to asbestos and are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure does not automatically lead to mesothelioma. While rare, mesothelioma can be aggressive and difficult to treat. Unfortunately for some, mesothelioma may not be detected until after it has metastasized.
There are four types of mesothelioma, depending on where in the body it develops:
The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma will depend on the type of mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma. Patients who develop this form of mesothelioma may initially experience shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and pain in the chest or shoulders. There may also be facial and body swelling and muscle weakness.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rarer form of mesothelioma than pleural mesothelioma. Common symptoms associated with peritoneal mesothelioma include changes in bowel movements, abdominal pain, and bloating.
Pericardial mesothelioma is one of the rarest forms of mesothelioma. Construction workers who develop pericardial mesothelioma may notice that they develop an irregular heartbeat. Other symptoms may include chest pain and trouble breathing.
Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma. Patients with this form of the disease have reported swelling of the scrotum and testicular lumps.
The treatment options available for a construction worker who develops mesothelioma will depend in part on what stage the mesothelioma is in when it is discovered. When discovered in the early stages, before it has metastasized, treatment options may include surgery to remove the affected body tissue.
If surgery is not an option, you may be encouraged to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy to address your mesothelioma. Modern medicine is constantly testing and discovering new treatment protocols.
Treatment for mesothelioma can increase the lifespan of a person diagnosed with mesothelioma. The type of mesothelioma and the stage at which it is first detected will impact how long this increased lifespan will be. Some patients will live for a few months past their diagnosis, while others may live for five or more years.
Construction workers and asbestos exposure can lead to the development of mesothelioma. When this occurs, construction workers may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation. This lawsuit may be filed against their employer, the manufacturer of an asbestos-tainted product, or some other person or company.
A successful lawsuit will provide you and your loved ones with financial compensation for your expenses, injuries, and losses. While no amount of compensation can undo your diagnosis, a compensation award may alleviate the financial pressures you may be feeling from mounting medical bills and an inability to work.
If a close family member has died after being exposed to asbestos, you and other surviving family members may be eligible for compensation, too. Such compensation may help address the financial and emotional losses you are feeling from the passing of your loved one.
Punitive damages may also be available in certain cases. If your employer or a manufacturer blatantly ignored the risk of asbestos exposure, such conduct could support additional compensation to you.
Construction workers and asbestos exposure can lead to terrible consequences for you and your loved ones. The dedicated legal team at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC is here to assist you and your family by providing top-notch and compassionate legal representation.
We offer our clients a free, no-cost consultation to discuss their cases. If you are unable to make it to our office, we can travel to meet you. Our team has over 100 years of combined experience in handling construction workers and asbestos-exposure mesothelioma cases. Call our office and schedule your consultation with us today.
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We hope that you will never be diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or suffer a catastrophic injury, but if you are, contact us at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford so we can begin the fight.
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