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
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
Millions of Americans have been exposed to asbestos at some point, and only a very few will develop diseases like mesothelioma or asbestosis. The best advice for people who know they suffered occupational or other chronic exposure is to simply take a proactive approach in monitoring their own health. Watch for symptoms of asbestos related disease like a persistent dry cough, tightness or pain in the chest, and shortness of breath. A sudden loss of appetite or rapid change in weight is another reason to see your doctor, and make clear that asbestos exposure is a part of your medical history. A condition called “finger clubbing,” where the tips of the fingers become enlarged, often prompting changes to the fingernails, is another indicator that something serious may be going on. Hopefully, you never experience complications related to past exposure to asbestos, but if you do, there is help for you and your family.…Read More
People facing a difficult diagnosis often develop a singular focus on addressing their medical needs and making the most of the time they have left with their families. That’s wholly appropriate and to be expected, but can have the perverse effect of cheating a sick person and their family out of resources that they are entitled to. At The Gertler Law Firm, we understand that a person dealing with mesothelioma doesn’t want to spend their precious time with lawyers or in court, and we go to great lengths to make the legal process as unobtrusive as possible. People diagnosed with Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related sicknesses are being cheated out of time with their loved ones as it is. We’ve developed processes for situations just like this, so that we can respect our client’s priorities while protecting their rights. Asbestos Injury Attorneys At The Gertler Law Firm In New Orleans Can Help! A…Read More
It’s prudent to reach out to an attorney as soon after a mesothelioma diagnosis as possible. There are several reasons for this. First, Louisiana’s statute of limitations for asbestos injuries creates a kind of clock that starts on the day of your diagnosis. From that date, you have one year to decide whether to take legal action. The earlier you begin the process with an attorney, the less pressure you’ll be under as important deadlines approach. Another reason to talk to a lawyer soon after diagnosis is that, frankly speaking, mesothelioma is often only diagnosed once it’s at a late stage. Taking any sort of action is simply easier while you’re still relatively healthy, as both the disease and treatment will take their toll on your energy levels. Your lawyer will need to learn about your work history, places you’ve lived, and other relevant information to identify when and where you were…Read More
