Altadena Asbestos Lawyer

Asbestos has been used in many different applications for thousands of years. It became particularly popular during the Industrial Revolution when asbestos was regularly mined and used for building materials, steam engines, insulation, and more. Asbestos continued to be heavily used well into the 20th century, but it was during the 1970s that the dangers of the substance became much more widely known. People who worked with it on a regular basis, such as plumbers, mechanics, and construction workers, suffered great harm after working with the dangerous material. Due to the fact that these individuals worked with the substance decades ago, they often believe they do not have any recourse. The diseases asbestos causes have very long latency periods, and the company these people worked for often no longer exists. Due to this, workers’ compensation benefits are no longer available to them. If you or someone you love has become sick, our Altadena asbestos lawyer explains below how to pursue damages.

The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is made up of six minerals that form soft and flexible fibers. A person may inhale those fibers when they are exposed to asbestos. After inhaling those fibers, they can become trapped in the thin membrane that surrounds important internal organs such as the lungs. Over time, this can cause the membrane to become inflamed and result in permanent scarring.

People who are exposed to asbestos may suffer from a number of different diseases. These include asbestosis, lung cancer, gastrointestinal tract cancer, ovarian cancer, and laryngeal cancer. While there are a number of different diseases caused by exposure to asbestos, the most severe of them all is mesothelioma.

Most people who become sick from asbestos exposure are workers who were exposed to the substance on the job. However, their family members also sometimes become sick. The small fibers that make up asbestos can cling to a person’s body or clothing. When family members hug the worker or wash their work clothes, they can become exposed and also suffer harm.

Determining Liability for Exposure to Asbestos

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to exposure to asbestos, it may be possible to pursue damages through a civil claim, with the help of an asbestos attorney in Altadena. You must first identify the liable party, which may be any one of the following:

• Distributors and manufacturers: Companies that manufactured or sold asbestos-containing products such as construction materials, brake pads, or talcum powder can be held liable if they failed to warn consumers of the presence of asbestos.
• Employers: Employers who did not properly warn workers, provide safety equipment, or prevent asbestos dust from clinging to an employee can be held liable.
• Property owners: Property owners have a duty to inform residents and visitors of the presence of asbestos in buildings.
• Contractors: Construction firms and contractors that disturbed or demolished the substance without taking proper safety precautions can be held liable.

Our Asbestos Lawyer in Altadena Can Determine Fault

If you or someone you love has suffered harm, our Altadena asbestos attorney at Brod Law Firm can determine who is to blame and hold them accountable for paying the fair settlement you deserve. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to request a consultation and to get the legal help you need.