Lawsuit for Workplace Asbestos Exposure

Over 1.3 million people in the United States are exposed to large amounts of asbestos every day in the workplace. For many years there has been a link between asbestos and serious health problems such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. As a result, many suffer injury and death due to such exposure. This article will discuss lawsuits that are filed for asbestos in the workplace.

Even now after coming to the realization that asbestos causes deadly diseases, asbestos exposure is still common in the workplace. Many jobs and industries still expose employees to large amounts of asbestos. Some jobs that increase the risk of asbestos exposure include the following:

• Shipbuilding
• Mining
• Heating and cooling equipment repair
• Vehicle repair – especially brake and clutch repair
• Roofing
• Construction, renovation and demolition of commercial and residential buildings
• Manufacture of asbestos products
• Janitors in buildings with deteriorating asbestos

Workplace Asbestos Exposure Defendants

Even short-term exposure to large levels of asbestos on the job can lead to many medical issues. Whereas long-term exposure leads to more serious permanent damage to the body and can result in cancer causing diseases. For many exposed to asbestos in the workplace questions may arise about lawsuits and compensation. The most common one is who is legally responsible? From a general point of view, if an (ex-) employee suffers from asbestos-related illness they may file a lawsuit. Such a lawsuit may be filed against some or all of the following:

• The company that manufactured the asbestos or protective equipment that failed to protect the employee from exposure
• Owners of the premises where the work was being done
• Contractors and subcontractors involved in the work that was being done

The question of worker’s compensation comes to the fore. It must be noted that worker’s compensation in most cases is the exclusive remedy when an employer failed to properly protect workers from asbestos exposure.

To learn more about your legal options in an asbestos-related case contact the Vinson Law Office today.