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Asbestos Exposure
Florida Asbestos Attorneys
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Representing Victims of Asbestos Exposure Nationwide
Since 1985, The Ferraro Law Firm, P.A. has made it its goal to help victims of asbestos exposure and resulting mesothelioma. Our asbestos attorneys have obtained millions on behalf of our clients since 1985. We are recognized as one of the top five law firms in the United States in the area of mesothelioma and asbestos litigation and routinely represent clients in Florida and across the nation.
Ready to get proven counsel? Call (888) 554-2030 for a free consultation.
What You Need To Know About Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is made up of a collection of six naturally-occurring minerals. These minerals are composed of fire and chemical-resistant fibers. Because of these characteristics, asbestos was incorporated into a multitude of products that were used daily, such as fireproof gear and building materials. Eventually, it became known that asbestos-exposure is a cause of mesothelioma, a fatal form of lung cancer. As a result, the federal government sought to limit asbestos use and exposure in 1972. Asbestos exposure results from swallowing or inhaling the fibers. While most people inhale trace amounts, serious injuries only occur from repeated, severe exposure.
The Danger of Firsthand Asbestos Exposure
When asbestos fibers are released into the air, individuals are at risk of breathing them into their respiratory system. If that happens, the fibers may become trapped for life and cause severe problems. Many industrial workers are at a higher risk for asbestos exposure because of the presence of asbestos in industrial products.
Some of the occupations which are typically associated with the onset of mesothelioma later in life are as follows:
- Automotive mechanics
- Boilermakers
- Bricklayers
- Carpenters
- Cement Finishers
- Drywall Workers
- Electricians
- Engineers
- Foundry Workers Helpers
- Insulators
- Laborers
- Lathers
- Machinists
- Mechanics
- Millwrights
- Operators
- Painters Paper workers
- Plasterers
- Pipe fitters
- Plumbers
- Power Plant Workers
- Roofers
- Sailors (Navy & Merchant Marine)
- Shipyard workers
- Steel and Sheet metal workers
- Welders
Although the law protects workers from asbestos exposure today, past exposure could still lead to serious health problems, not only for workers, but for their families and other secondhand parties.
The Dangers of Secondhand Asbestos Exposure
Even if asbestos isn’t present in the daily workplace, many have suffered from secondary exposure. Asbestos is undetectable without the help of lab equipment and trained technicians.
Secondary asbestos exposure can result from the following:
- Washing clothes exposed to asbestos
- Coming into contact with a person routinely exposed to asbestos
- Environmental contamination from a plant
- Improper removal of asbestos materials from a home or structure
Before asbestos limitations were imposed, many individuals – women especially – were exposed to asbestos fibers through contact with a family member who worked in an industrial occupation. Simple interactions such as hagging or washing clothes could release asbestos particles into the air.
Are We Still In Danger of Asbestos Exposure?
The EPA has banned chrysotile asbestos in the United States, effective March 18, 2024. This action comes after years of efforts to address the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, which has been linked to various cancers and thousands of deaths each year. The recently finalized rule to ban the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos is a significant achievement in the U.S.’s chemical safety efforts, marking the first regulation under the updated Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) process.
In July 2023, the EPA finalized a rule that requires comprehensive reporting on all six fiber types of asbestos in a limited capacity. When a manufacturer, importer, or processor handled asbestos between 2019 and 2022 and had annual sales of $500,000 or above during those years, it must report certain exposure-related information.
This limited rule will help some patients trace exposure. However, this limited ruling doesn’t help all patients, many whom must still document the exposure event within 1-3 months. Meanwhile, the incubation period for the disease is almost always at least 15 years and reaches its peak at between 30 and 40 years. Consequently, many patients who were exposed as young adults may not be diagnosed with mesothelioma until they are retired. This lag time has resulted in an unknown number of patients each year who never make a connection between this deadly disease and their exposure to asbestos.
In many cases, a company that permitted an employee to be exposed to asbestos either knew or should have known of the risks. Such risks have been known since the early 1900s. Yet asbestos has continued to be used in many products, including insulation, floor products, roof shingles, cement, brake linings, and textiles.
We Fight for Veterans Who Have Been Injured By Asbestos Exposure
Many veterans have experienced cancer, mesothelioma, or other lung problems due to excessive asbestos exposure during their time in the military. Nearly every branch of the Armed Forces had some form of asbestos present in insulation.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may have been exposed to asbestos on the following:
- Aircraft carriers
- Auxiliary vessels
- Destroyers
- Frigates
- Submarines
- Cruisers
- Battleships
As these military vehicles were created with asbestos, military members often inhaled the fibers. Thousands of veterans have suffered asbestos-related sickness from the exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mesothelioma & Asbestos
Does everyone who gets exposed to asbestos get mesothelioma?
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Florida Asbestos Lawyers Fighting For Your Compensation
For over 30 years, The Ferraro Law Firm has capably represented the rights of over 20,000 victims of asbestos exposure. Our skilled Florida mesothelioma attorneys have made a name for themselves as successful asbestos litigators, unafraid to take on large corporations and fight for just compensation on their client’s behalf.
We are listed in Top Law Firms and Elite Trial Lawyers in addition to being members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®. The Ferraro Law Firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay a single legal fee unless we obtain compensation on your behalf.
We are the firm that other firms turn to for counsel in matters such as these. Call (888) 554-2030 to speak with our team.