Asbestos Exposure Lawyer
Serving the Hudson Valley and the New York Metro Area
For decades, asbestos was used in construction materials, as part of buildings and building maintenance, and even in car parts. Construction workers, military personnel, building dwellers, and vehicle occupants were regularly inhaling asbestos dust for years without knowing that they were breathing poison. Regular use of asbestos continued from the 1800s until as late as the 1970s, when the New York State and federal governments finally recognized the dangers of asbestos and began implementing regulations to limit its use. Millions were exposed to the dangerous chemical in the meantime, and for years after while the laws and regulations took time to implement.
Prolonged exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The diseases are painful, debilitating, and often deadly. Treatment for these diseases can be extremely costly. If you or a loved one suffers from an asbestos-related illness, you should not be left alone with the bill. The compassionate asbestos exposure attorneys at the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC can help you recover damages for your illness against building owners and managers, employers, auto manufacturers, or anyone else responsible for your exposure.
Health Hazards of Asbestos Exposure
People may be exposed to asbestos in their workplace, their communities, their vehicles, or their home. When asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are disturbed, they may release tiny asbestos fibers or dust into the air. When these asbestos fibers are breathed in, they can get trapped in a person’s lungs and remain there for a long period. Over time, the fibers accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation, affecting breathing and leading to long-term serious health problems.
Asbestos has been identified as a carcinogen, a cancer-causing agent, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Federal safety experts have determined that prolonged asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, a cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen, as well as cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary. Asbestos exposure has also been linked to increased risks of cancers of the stomach, pharynx, and colorectum.
Asbestos is also known to cause asbestosis, an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs that can lead to shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage. Asbestos can also cause other non-malignant lung disorders, including alterations to the membranes surrounding the lungs and abnormal collections of fluids in the lungs and chest cavity.
Where Has Asbestos Been Used?
Asbestos is a flame-retardant material that was used in the manufacture of many different products for decades. Asbestos has been used for a wide range of manufactured goods and building materials. Asbestos-containing materials have a range of asbestos levels present, but exposure to any amount over a long period creates a significant risk of asbestos-related illness. Asbestos may be present in, for example:
- Fireproofing and insulation in buildings
- Insulation for pipes and boilers
- Roofing shingles and roof tar
- Plaster, joint compounds, and wall-building equipment
- Building materials such as putties, caulks, paints, and cements
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Vehicle parts such as clutch facings and brake linings
Anyone who has worked with asbestos-related products, who lives in a home or works in a building that contains asbestos products, or who lives in a household with someone who has worked with asbestos, should get checked for asbestos-related illness.
Is Any Type of Asbestos Safe?
The short answer: No. While some types of asbestos may be more dangerous than others, no type of asbestos is completely safe. According to New York State safety officials, all forms of asbestos are known to cause asbestos-related diseases. However, ACM that is in good condition or properly sealed, such that there is no risk of exposure to the asbestos contained within, may not pose a health risk.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
New York is one of the most active locales in the country for litigation regarding asbestos and asbestos exposure. New York also has some of the strictest asbestos regulations in the country.
New York has, in fact, established a specialized court to try asbestos cases: New York City Asbestos Litigation (NYCAL) court. NYCAL has certain procedures that are available to streamline cases, including processes for combining related cases and preferential treatment for cases involving terminally ill patients with short life expectancies. If you were exposed to asbestos at home or in the workplace, a dedicated New York asbestos exposure lawyer could help you get coverage for your medical bills and other damages.
Call Our Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has experienced illness after exposure to asbestos, call the personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC. Asbestos cases can be drawn-out, complex, and hard to prove. The sooner you start investigating and building your claims, the sooner you may be able to recover. Our lawyers have over 40 years of combined experience in New York personal injury and can help you evaluate your case. Call us at 845-675-3243 for a free consultation.
