Skip to Content

Asbestos exposure is closely associated with life-threatening illnesses that include mesothelioma, and the attendant physical, financial, and emotional damages tend to be extensive. If asbestos exposure leaves you or someone you love ill, don’t delay consulting with an experienced asbestos lawyer in Fort Lauderdale. 

 

Asbestos

Asbestos amounts to a compilation of six minerals that are naturally occurring and that are composed of fibers that are resistant to both fire and chemicals. These characteristics made asbestos a great choice for a variety of products over the years – products that many people relied on for a wide range of purposes, including fireproof gear, construction materials, and more. Over time, we learned more and more about the dangers associated with exposure to asbestos, and asbestos exposure ultimately became closely linked with an especially virulent form of lung cancer known as mesothelioma.

 

As a result, the federal government sought to severely limit exposure to asbestos in 1972. The danger related to asbestos comes from it being swallowed or from its fibers being inhaled (from repeated and significant exposure), and this kind of exposure is closely associated with specific kinds of careers. 

 

Asbestos is made up of small fibers that are shaped like shards, and these tiny particles can easily become airborne when disturbed. When inhaled, these shards can become embedded in one’s lungs, heart, stomach, or testes where – over the years – they can lead to fatal forms of cancer. 

 

The Careers Most Affected

The kinds of careers that are most likely to involve asbestos exposure include:

 

  • Car mechanics
  • Bricklayers
  • Carpenters
  • Cement finishers
  • Boilermakers
  • Drywall workers
  • Engineers and electricians
  • Foundry workers
  • Machinists and mechanics
  • Painters and plasterers
  • Pipefitters
  • Plumbers
  • Roofers
  • Shipyard workers
  • Power plant workers
  • Welders
  • Steel and sheet metal workers

 

Further, many positions in the armed forces are associated with considerable exposure to asbestos. While direct exposure to asbestos is not likely to be a problem in a current position, the effects are cumulative and tend to take a considerable amount of time to manifest with health symptoms, which is why there are so many current asbestos-related claims. 

 

The Statute of Limitations

In the State of Florida, there is a statute of limitations – or time restraint – that determines how long you have to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party if you are harmed by asbestos exposure. This statute of limitations in Florida is four years from the time you discover that you have an asbestos-related illness (such as after being diagnosed with medical x-rays by a doctor). This timeframe, however, can be misleading. 

 

Asbestos-related illnesses can be very slow to present with symptoms, and diagnosis can also be a lengthy process. To make matters more difficult – by the time you are diagnosed with a disease caused by asbestos exposure, you’re likely to be quite ill, which makes proceeding with an asbestos-related claim that much more challenging. In other words, the sooner you begin the claims process, the better protected you and your claim will be.

 

The Basic Elements of Your Claim

While every claim related to asbestos exposure is unique to the situation at hand, the primary components of every such claim include the following:

 

  • You were consistently exposed to asbestos (generally on the job)
  • You have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness

 

If you work in a field that is closely associated with such illnesses and/or if some of your coworkers are coming down with illnesses that are common to asbestos exposure, it’s important to take the matter seriously and to consistently schedule routine healthcare screenings. If you meet the two criteria above, you likely have an asbestos exposure claim and should consult with a knowledgeable asbestos lawyer sooner rather than later. 

 

Common Legal Complications

Diseases related to asbestos exposure are exceptionally dangerous diseases, which makes asbestos exposure cases exceptionally important. They are also, however, very complicated cases for a variety of reasons that include:

 

  • Because of the length of time that tends to lapse in between exposure and diagnosis, collecting evidence that is adequate to pinpointing how the claimant was exposed can be difficult. The time element makes it more challenging to collect relevant evidence, to succinctly identify the at-fault party, to access all necessary records, and more.
  • The victims of asbestos exposure are often of advanced age and are often extremely ill by the time they are diagnosed, which makes the claims process that much more challenging. 
  • Some of the at-fault manufacturers have either been forced to declare bankruptcy – or have done so as a means of protecting themselves financially – which leaves fewer available resources for compensating victims of asbestos exposure. 
  • Asbestos cases often amount to a maze of scientific evidence that renders these cases both lengthy and costly. 
  • Identifying who is actually responsible for the exposure can be difficult in and of itself. Ferreting out who manufactured the product containing the asbestos can be exceptionally complex, and the passage of a considerable amount of time does not help. 

 

While any number of complications can bedevil your claim, the bottom line is that your health matters and that your claim is important. You would be well-advised to consult with an experienced asbestos lawyer as soon after your diagnosis.   

 

Seek the Skilled Legal Guidance of an Experienced Asbestos Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Today

Diseases associated with asbestos exposure are extremely serious, and the physical, financial, and emotional damages you suffer can be difficult to overstate. If you – or someone you love – are the victim of asbestos exposure, the seasoned asbestos lawyers at Iscoe Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale recognize the gravity of your claim and are committed to harnessing the full force of their impressive experience in zealous pursuit of its best possible outcome. Just compensation is critical to your ability to reach your fullest recovery, and that’s why we’re available to take your call 24 hours a day – 365 days a year. For more information about how we can help you, please don’t wait to contact us online or call us at 800-800-6500 today.

Skip to content
This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.