Home exposure, also known as secondary asbestos exposure or para-occupational exposure, occurs as an indirect result of working with or around asbestos materials. Prior to the late 1970s, asbestos was incorporated into numerous products used in both the manufacturing and construction industries. Asbestos can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer to develop years after initial exposure to asbestos dust and fibers. Home exposure generally occurred in the home, and when wives and children came into close contact with their husbands, fathers and brothers who were covered in asbestos-laden dust from the workplace.
Asbestos fibers are extremely small and light and capable of being transported home on a worker’s clothing, hair and footwear. Because of non-existent or inadequate warnings on a variety of asbestos-containing materials used in many different industries, many individuals were exposed to asbestos prior to the late 1970s. Most often, women and children inhaled asbestos fibers that were brought home on the clothing of a family member who had direct daily contact with asbestos-containing materials. When wives and children came into close contact with their family members who were covered in asbestos-laden dust from the workplace, they had no idea that this dust could cause them harm.
Even the relatively slight exposure involved in shaking out work clothes before doing laundry is enough to cause mesothelioma to develop years after initial exposure. Medical literature contains many examples of housewives contracting mesothelioma by washing work clothes. Children of exposed workers may also contract mesothelioma as a result of asbestos contamination originating from the workplace.
In 2000, a summary review of mesothelioma from defined environmental exposures was published. It demonstrated that the overall summary risk estimate for mesothelioma for persons with household exposures was 8.1 times higher than that of unexposed persons.
Once asbestos gets into the home, it can remain in the home permanently. Asbestos gets into the rugs, curtains and bedding, and it can become suspended by movement. Family members may then be exposed to asbestos twenty-four hours a day rather than partial exposure, which occurs in the workplace. Asbestos has no warning qualities; members of a household could have substantial exposure to asbestos without knowing they have been exposed.
At Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, our attorneys assist clients in filing third party mesothelioma and lung cancer lawsuits against the companies that wrongfully failed to warn against the hazards of asbestos exposure. It is important to act quickly in order to avoid having your claim disqualified by the statute of limitations. It is even more important to act quickly so that your case can be heard and decided before you become too ill to participate. In addition to third party lawsuits, our attorneys can also assist you in filing claims for Veterans’ Benefits, Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability benefits.
Our attorneys are committed to our clients, and we will see your case through to completion. We do not refer cases to other law firms, and we have a track record of achieving success for thousands of our clients and their families. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related, contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.
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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