Workplace Exposure To Asbestos In Louisiana Workers in many occupations can and do still experience asbestos exposure in Louisiana and in the United States. In roles where asbestos exposure is likely, such as demolition of old buildings, automotive brake work, and asbestos remediation, strict regulations require employers to provide safety equipment to workers that will protect their airways while they work. Still, violations continue to occur. In a 2016 case in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) found that the U.S. Steel Corp. had improperly exposed seven employees to asbestos. Five employees had been tasked with removing and replacing asbestos-containing material, and a month later, two other employees were tasked with burning a section of expansion pipe that tested positive for asbestos. While U.S. Steel was fined $170,000 for the violations, it was not the company’s first citation for failing to notify employees of work with asbestos-containing…Read More
It’s a common misconception that asbestos has been banned in the United States, so now Americans are safe from exposure. Unfortunately, that’s far from true, and there are some consumer products and some occupational roles where asbestos exposure is still a risk. For instance, people who work as mechanics on everything from cars to airplanes to ships are still at risk for asbestos exposure, because materials like brake pads, clutches, and gaskets used in the high-heat, high-friction environment of a moving vehicle require the level of fireproofing that asbestos provides. When working on vehicles, take precautions to protect your airways. Insulation is another product that may still contain small amounts of asbestos. More importantly, if you’re a DIYer who is upgrading your old insulation, use a ventilator or other airway protector as you work. If your home was built before 1989, there are good odds that the insulation you’re removing contains…Read More
No, having an asbestos-related disease like asbestosis does not mean that you’ll develop mesothelioma, but your risks of developing that cancer are higher. After all, you’ve definitely experienced asbestos exposure so the risk element is there. Mesothelioma has only one known cause, and that’s the inhalation or ingestion of microscopic fibers of the mineral asbestos. Though the material was largely banned in the late 1980s, the incubation of asbestos-related diseases can span decades. For most people suffering from an asbestos-related disease like asbestosis or mesothelioma, they were exposed to asbestos while on the job, either in private industry or asbestos exposure in the military. As a result, there are compensation funds for those who were sickened by employers’ failures to provide meaningful safety equipment or even information to their workers. The VA has a dedicated benefit system for those suffering the after-effects of service-related exposure to asbestos, and many companies were…Read More
Hiring A Mesothelioma Lawyer In Louisiana For Asbestos Related Illness People can be exposed to asbestos outside of a work environment, however occupational exposure remains the most significant source. Specifically for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, people who’ve worked at shipyards and oil refineries in the area are generally thought to be at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. Their family members may also be at risk through secondary exposure to asbestos fibers that came home on a loved one’s skin, clothing, and hair. People living in older homes may also be at risk for exposure to asbestos if material like insulation or duct work becomes damaged. There is also a strong possibility that New Orleans and Gulf Coast residents who lived through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina experienced environmental exposure as damaged homes were demolished. Because of the scale of the damage and the speed of the work required…Read More
Filing A Lawsuit After Mesothelioma Diagnosis In Louisiana First, the early symptoms of mesothelioma aren’t necessarily things that would raise red flags, particularly in older adults. Early symptoms can include extremely vague indicators like fatigue and just generally feeling run down. Many people can easily mistake a cough or shortness of breath as allergy symptoms or a stubborn cold. By the time it’s clear that there is something more serious happening, mesothelioma has usually spread. Diagnosis can still be difficult, with oncologists sometimes having to rely on less common diagnostic tests to identify the source of the problem as mesothelioma. Unfortunately, by the time that happens, the cancer has often progressed to a late stage that makes it more difficult to treat. Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney In Louisiana For Filing Asbestos Injury Claims If you know you worked in a facility or occupation where asbestos was used, it’s important that you take proactive steps…Read More
Filing An Asbestos Injury Lawsuit In New Orleans, Louisiana Asbestos exposure at work is one of the most common ways clients have developed Mesothelioma. However, there are many other ways that asbestos was used previously and still today. Asbestos is unique among minerals because its fibrous structure can have a consistency similar to cotton. Because it is fireproof and highly heat resistant, asbestos seemed like an obvious candidate for use in applications like insulation, back before it was understood that the fibers can cause cancer in the body. Used alone or woven into structures with other, sometimes flammable, fill, it could both limit heat exchange and provide protection against fire. Even today, some insulation manufacturers use a mixture that includes a small amount of asbestos, so if you’re building a home or renovating your existing home, pay attention to labels if you want to avoid putting a dangerous carcinogen in your…Read More
Filing A Lawsuit For Mesothelioma Diagnosis In Louisiana A diagnosis like mesothelioma is shocking for you and your whole family. The situation can feel hopeless, and in a time like this, you probably have more questions than answers. While medically, a late-stage mesothelioma diagnosis is grave, doctors and researchers are constantly conducting clinical trials for mesothelioma to develop more effective treatments. It is hoped that these treatments could prolong your years and quality of life. Legally, being diagnosed with mesothelioma means that you’ve sustained an injury related to asbestos exposure. The only known cause of mesothelioma is inhaled or ingested asbestos, and for most people, that exposure occurred in the workplace, or from secondary exposure from a loved one who worked in an asbestos-contaminated facility. The companies that used asbestos widely and manufacturers of asbestos-laden products knew of the risks to human health for decades before public health professionals were able to…Read More
Asbestos Injury Attorney In New Orleans Will Accommodate Clients Unable To Travel Yes, we can conduct telephone consultations and we frequently travel to meet with clients who aren’t local to our offices. We understand that people who are fighting a disease like mesothelioma don’t always have the time, resources, or energy to make trips to meet with lawyers. Oftentimes those suffering from asbestos related diseases may be very ill or undergoing medical treatment for mesothelioma that hinders their ability to travel. We go to great lengths to see that our clients get the attention they need, always know the status of their case, and that any questions they have are answered promptly. We are extremely proud of our long history helping people in Louisiana get the compensation they deserve when they’ve experienced harm from exposure to toxic asbestos. More than 35 years ago, we were the first Louisiana law firm to win…Read More
Experienced New Orleans Mesothelioma Lawyer For Filing Compensation Lawsuit When you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s very important that you not only get legal advice about your situation, but that you work with experienced lawyers who have handled many of these types of cases. The Gertler Law Firm has been helping people get the compensation they deserve after a mesothelioma diagnosis for more than three decades, and we were the first Louisiana firm to obtain a judgment in a case linking mesothelioma to asbestos exposure. We are thoroughly versed and experienced in working through mesothelioma trust funds, the Veterans Administration benefits process, and have an extensive track record of successfully litigating mesothelioma lawsuits. We help our clients reconstruct their work histories and pinpoint jobs, employers, and worksites where asbestos exposure likely occurred, then take the actions necessary to get results for you. Filing A Mesothelioma Lawsuit With An Experienced New Orleans Asbestos…Read More
According to the best information available to us, there is simply no level of asbestos exposure that can be considered safe, in New Orleans or anywhere else. Once asbestos fibers become airborne, they are so small that they can easily lodge deep into the small airways of the lungs. They can’t be coughed out or otherwise dislodged, and even a single fiber, over a period of many years, can cause a chronic inflammatory condition that might one day become a far more serious condition. In recent decades, the government has taken significant regulatory steps to limit asbestos exposure in the United States, but there are products that are still manufactured with the mineral. If you enjoy working on your car, take precautions when it comes to servicing your brakes or clutch, as both parts may have asbestos-containing materials. If your home was built prior to the 1980s, be sure to wear…Read More
