Electricians, carpenters file lawsuit after exposure to asbestos

There are some jobs in which people work that put them in dangerous situations. One of these dangerous situations is exposure to toxic chemicals and fibers such asbestos. People who breathe in airborne asbestos can suffer devastating illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Often times, exposure to asbestos happens on the job because it was often used in many building materials and industrial products. It is for this reason that people who are exposed to asbestos often work in certain dustries.

Construction workers are among those who frequently develop injuries as a result of their workplace. Plumbers, electricians, roofers and carpenters in particular are often the victims of an asbestos-related disease. This is not surprising, considering the fact that they often work with the building, repair or destruction of building materials that contain asbestos.

Asbestos was used widely in certain products because it is a strong, cheap and fire-resistant fiber. When construction workers are working on a project, they often disturb asbestos and send particles into the air, which are then easily inhaled.

Recently, more than 100 carpenters and electricians who worked at the Nassau Coliseum in New York filed a class action lawsuit saying they are the victims of asbestos exposure. Some reports suggest that they could end up requesting a billion dollars for the negligent exposure. Others in the same industry have recently won substantial settlements for asbestos exposure, including a drywall worker who was awarded $27 million after he developed mesothelioma.

While money cannot undo the damage that is caused by asbestos, it can help victims of this work-related illness cope with the cost of coping with a devastating disease. Identifying an employer who may have negligently exposed workers to asbestos can be challenging, but an attorney who understands the process can be a vital resource.

Source: Surviving Mesothelioma, “Lawsuits Focus on Mesothelioma Construction Risks,” April 12, 2013