Lawyers have successfully represented many clients and their families who developed mesothelioma because they were exposed to asbestos. Many of the victims were former railroad workers who spent decades working around equipment filled with asbestos and later developed the deadly cancer. However, it is not just railroad workers who have been exposed to asbestos over the past several decades. Construction workers, shipyard workers, and family members of those who work(ed) around asbestos are also affected.
Requests from the Prisoners
Recently, a group of prison inmates in Wisconsin filed a lawsuit alleging that they are suffering from asbestos exposure on a daily basis because of the failure of the state and prison officials to maintain the facility. The 10 inmates claim both inmates and prison employees were exposed to hazardous levels of asbestos, black mold, and lead-contaminated water.
The plaintiffs asked for $5 million in damages, evacuation of all inmates and staff from the prison, and emergency investigation and testing of all the buildings at the facility.
Asbestos Is Dangerous
Although asbestos was banned from commercial and industrial uses, there are still millions of older structures filled with building materials, such as drywall, insulation, and floor tiles, that contain the deadly substance. This means that innocent victims are still at risk of being exposed to the cancer-causing material if certain precautions are not followed. Even minimal exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious medical issues.
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is directly linked to asbestos exposure. This cancer affects the lining of the tissues around the lungs, heart, and abdomen, and quickly spreads throughout the body. Tragically, symptoms of mesothelioma often do not show up for years after exposure, leaving victims with almost no treatment options and a virtual death sentence.
Victims and their families can pursue damages against those responsible for mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. Some of the losses that can be recovered include medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and emotional anguish. Since mesothelioma is terminal, families who have lost loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit in order to get financial justice against those responsible for the asbestos exposure.
Have You Been Exposed?
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it is critical that you do not delay in contacting a lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer because there is a statute of limitations in filing asbestos-related cancer claims. The countdown usually begins the day you are diagnosed, so the earlier you act, the better your opportunity for justice against those responsible for your condition.
Do not delay. Contact a law firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case. A lawyer will determine what legal recourse you may have against those responsible for your condition.