For decades, thousands of American workers were unknowingly exposed to asbestos on the job. Before safety regulations were widely enforced in the early 1980s, asbestos was a common material used in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, refineries, and other heavy industries.
If you worked in one of these industries — or if your spouse or parent did — you may now be at risk of developing mesothelioma cancer or asbestos-related lung cancer.
Workers and their loved ones who were exposed to asbestos before 1982 may be eligible to receive a free asbestos health exam. If this exam leads to a diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, you may qualify to file a lawsuit and pursue legal compensation for your illness.
High-Risk Jobs With Asbestos Exposure
From the 1930s through the early 1980s, asbestos was heavily used in industrial materials — including insulation, fireproofing, pipe coverings, and cement.
Workers who frequently handled these products were often exposed to high levels of asbestos dust, without adequate protective gear.
Some of the jobs most commonly linked to asbestos exposure include:
- Boiler workers
- Carpenters
- Factory workers
- Laborers
- Pipe coverers
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Shipyard workers
- Construction and demolition workers
Workers in these trades were at high risk for long-term inhalation of asbestos fibers. Many were never warned of the dangers.
If you held one of these jobs with asbestos exposure before 1982, you may now qualify for a free asbestos health exam, and if diagnosed with cancer, you could qualify to take legal action and receive compensation.
Asbestos Exposure Can Lead to Cancer Decades Later
Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye and can remain lodged in the lungs and chest lining for decades. Over time, these fibers may cause:
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs or abdomen. Almost all mesothelioma cases are linked to asbestos exposure. It may take 20 to 50 years after exposure for symptoms to appear.
Asbestos Lung Cancer
A form of primary lung cancer caused by breathing in asbestos dust. Asbestos lung cancer is distinct from mesothelioma but just as deadly — and directly tied to occupational exposure.
Spouses and Adult Children May Also Qualify
Workers were not the only ones put at risk. Many unknowingly brought asbestos home on their clothing, shoes, and equipment. Some family members of asbestos workers were unknowingly exposed secondhand while doing laundry or being in close contact with workers covered in asbestos fibers.
Today, spouses and adult children of workers who were exposed to asbestos before 1982 are also developing mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer due to secondhand asbestos exposure.
If a spouse or adult child of an asbestos-exposed worker is diagnosed with one of these illnesses following a free exam, they may also qualify to file an asbestos lawsuit and pursue compensation from the companies responsible.
Why a Free Asbestos Health Exam Is So Important
Most asbestos-related diseases don’t show symptoms for decades. A free asbestos health exam can detect early signs of disease — even if you feel healthy today. These exams are offered at no cost to:
- Former asbestos workers
- Spouses of asbestos-exposed workers
- Adult children who lived in the same household as an asbestos worker
If the exam leads to a diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit or trust claim and pursue compensation or a settlement.
Filing an Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit
Thousands of people across the country have filed successful asbestos lawsuits after being diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer. These lawsuits hold asbestos companies accountable for failing to warn workers and families of the deadly risks.
If you were exposed to asbestos before 1982, or lived with someone who was, and you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer, you have the legal right to pursue compensation. Even if the company responsible is no longer in business, there are asbestos trust funds and other legal options available.
A knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney can help you understand your rights, gather evidence of your exposure, and file a lawsuit or a claim on your behalf.
Schedule Your Free Asbestos Health Examination
Whether you are a retired worker, the surviving spouse of someone exposed to asbestos, or the adult child of a former laborer, you may be eligible to receive a free health exam to look for mesothelioma or lung cancer by contacting an experienced asbestos law firm.
Individuals who are diagnosed with a qualifying asbestos diseases may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation, or to file a claim with one of the asbestos bankruptcy trust funds that were created to compensate asbestos victims.
If you or a loved one believe that you were exposed, don’t wait: contact an asbestos attorney to schedule your free asbestos health exam and get the compensation to which you and your family may be entitled under the law.
