Chicago Asbestos Lawyer
Asbestos exposure has a number of risks and associated consequences, and those who are affected by asbestos may be able to file a claim for compensation. In order to file a claim associated with exposure to asbestos, a person must prove and establish asbestos exposure. The most common side effects: mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural plaques, and asbestosis.
If you suffer from any of these consequences, you should contact an experienced Chicago asbestos lawyer right away. An experienced premises liability attorney can help you file a claim to recover damages in the form of compensation.
Prevalence of Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral with thin microscopic fibers. These fibers have particular properties that make it resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals. Asbestos does not conduct electricity. Asbestos uses include a wide variety of areas like the construction, automotive and other industries; mined and used commercially since the 1800s. Asbestos is included in such products as car brakes, clutch pads, building materials including ceiling and floor tiles, used in paint coatings, various adhesives, a variety of plastics and some towels.
It was often used to insulate various pipes and other parts in commercial factories. Asbestos has been used throughout different aspects of a building and a variety of building materials as well.
Risk of Exposure
Anyone who has worked with those materials in the past is certainly at risk for asbestos exposure in Chicago. This includes a wide variety of members of the various trades. In particular, pipefitters and members of the pipefitter unions and other trade unions who routinely work with insulation and other building materials are at the highest risk of asbestos exposure. Members of the military who are on ships that contained asbestos are also at risk for exposure.
In addition, at different times, experts found asbestos in the construction of schools, putting the students and other occupants of the schools at risk. Asbestos put millions of people at risk of asbestos-related injuries.
Exposure occurs when the asbestos-containing materials disturbed and the asbestos fibers become airborne; then either inhaled or remain on clothing and skin, which later inhaled or ingested in some way.
Companies Responsible for an Asbestos-Related Claim
Manufacturers of asbestos products have been found responsible for asbestos-related damages. These include manufacturers of a joint compound, which is like a paste, floor tiles, roofing and siding materials, caulking, gaskets, tacking materials, insulation materials, boilers, pumps, valves, turbines and lots of other equipment and building materials.
Additionally, companies that manufacture raw asbestos fibers who mined and sold asbestos in large amounts in the form of raw asbestos fibers faced lawsuits and lost in the United States. Suppliers of asbestos products, as well as contractors, premises owners, designers and engineers and a variety of employers, are at risk of a Chicago asbestos lawsuit.
Dealing with Multiple Companies
Most of the time, multiple companies are liable for a Chicago asbestos exposure claim. Often, the individual exposed to asbestos at different times throughout their career including various manufacturers of building materials, various premises owners and, if they are in a particular part of the trade, they will have exposures at different times involving different potential defendants.
Additionally, different companies involved with the manufacturer, production sale and distribution of asbestos-containing products. Even if only exposed for a certain period of time with one product, there can be multiple defendants. Most often, someone who asserts a claim for an asbestos-related injury in Chicago seeks recovery from several defendants.
Contacting a Chicago Asbestos Lawyer
A person should contact a Chicago asbestos lawyer about a possible asbestos claim as soon as they believe that they are suffering from conditions that may be related to exposure to asbestos. As in any personal injury claim, the earlier the person involves an attorney, the better chance the attorney can protect their rights and developing their claim to make sure that they receive all the compensations they deserve.
A lawyer can be particularly helpful in asbestos-related claims can be very complex to present. They often involve companies that have gone bankrupt but established settlement funds, and generally involve federal and state laws. The earlier a person believes that they suffered an asbestos-related disease involves a Chicago asbestos lawyer, the better.
Our office hours range from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and we answer our phones at 708-222-2222 24/7. If you prefer, we have an online form you can use or you can utilize our LiveChat service as well.