Throughout the 20th century, tons of asbestos were mined in our country and put in thousands of everyday products. Asbestos was very inexpensive and was used as filler in many different products throughout many different industries. For example, asbestos was widely used in insulation, cement, and floor and ceiling tiles.
There are a number of different jobs where workers were exposed to a large amount of asbestos on a very frequent basis. People who have worked as building maintenance may have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure on the jobsite.
Asbestos was commonly used as a filler in many building products because of its strength, durability, and resistance to heat and flame. Maintenance workers working in buildings that were built prior to asbestos regulations are at increased risk of asbestos exposure.
Maintenance workers are those who clean, repair and maintain buildings. Often, these regular job tasks put them in contact with damaged asbestos and asbestos products as they work on plumbing, electrical systems, machinery, ceiling and floor tiles and the structure itself.
Asbestos, when intact, is not dangerous. When asbestos products are damaged the friable asbestos then becomes hazardous. Damaged asbestos in inherent in maintenance work. The tiny asbestos fibers are easily made airborne where they can be inhaled or ingested. Once the fibers get into our bodies, they become lodged in our internal tissue. The body attempts, in vain, to eliminate the asbestos fibers. Over the years the body's fight against these fibers can cause the buildup of scar tissue (asbestosis) and, in some cases, the development of cancer, including throat cancer, lung cancer stomach cancer, colon cancer, and mesothelioma.
Unfortunately, millions of people have been exposed to asbestos over the years. Only now are we able to see the disastrous effects of asbestos exposure in the workplace. Generally, it takes 10 to 60 years from the time of asbestos exposure until symptoms appear or mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Many of the companies have established trust funds to pay compensation to persons injured by asbestos.
If you have mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related injury, and wish to consult an attorney about your legal rights to compensation, CLICK HERE for a free consultation.
