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this pageWorkers’ Compensation: Asbestos Exposure
Many of the workers’ compensation claims handled at Brayton Purcell concern disabling to life–threatening health problems from workplace exposure to asbestos. Insulators, shipbuilders, pipefitters, plumbers, electricians, railroad workers, and auto mechanics are just some of our clients who were exposed to asbestos. We have also represented people who did not work directly with asbestos–containing products or materials, but were exposed to airborne asbestos on the job because of unsafe working conditions.
Asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer, and pleural mesothelioma are serious asbestos–related diseases that severely diminish breathing and lung capacity. Mesothelioma is a fatal, painful cancer. It progresses rapidly by attacking the “mesothelial cells” that make up membranes surrounding the chest, stomach, or lungs.
A worker usually does not develop asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer, or mesothelioma until decades have passed from the time of his or her first asbestos exposure. For example, it takes a minimum of 10 years to develop asbestosis, and often as long as 40 years. Therefore, in many instances you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits even if your on–the–job asbestos exposure occurred long ago.
You may file a workers’ compensation claim if your asbestos exposure took place during the course of private employment. You may also have a case against the manufacturer of the asbestos product involved. These are two separate actions. Because of our extensive experience with asbestos litigation, the legal staff at Brayton Purcell can effectively manage both actions. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about asbestos and your legal rights.
To learn more about asbestos, see our web site Asbestos Network. It provides detailed information about asbestos diseases, asbestos exposure, asbestos worker safety, and the types of asbestos. It also lists medical resources and asbestos support groups.