If you worked in the construction industry or currently renovate homes built before 1980 and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma — deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos — your first call after your diagnosis should be a qualified attorney.
That’s because if your home has asbestos you may qualify for compensation.
Asbestos in the Construction Industry
Construction workers and other professionals in the home building and renovation industry, have some of the highest risks of asbestos exposure. That’s because homes and other buildings constructed before 1980 often contained asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral composed of soft and flexible fibers that are resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion, making it a very useful resource, but also a very toxic one.
In these homes, this deadly component could be all over the place, including:
- Paint
- Plaster
- Insulation
- Roof shingles
- Ceiling and floor tiles
- Steam pipes
- Cement
- Flooring
- Patching compounds used on the roof and walls
- Materials used to cover pipes
Construction workers are exposed to asbestos when they perform attic renovations, drill into drywall, remove vinyl floor tiles, removing popcorn ceilings, and cutting through insulation pipe.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma because your construction employer was negligent and did not educate you about your risk to asbestos exposure you may be qualified for compensation.
This compensation is essential for mesothelioma patients because beating the disease often requires long-term, expensive treatment that your insurance will not always fully cover. At the same time, the high fatality rate of mesothelioma patients means that you will want compensation to help take care of your family in the event of your death.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mesothelioma patients have a median survival of approximately 1 year from the time of diagnosis.
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
A mesothelioma lawsuit can be settled out of court or go to trial. When you file a mesothelioma lawsuit, you must be able to prove:
- When, where, and how the victim was exposed to asbestos
- That exposure to asbestos caused the victim to develop mesothelioma
- Which asbestos companies are responsible for the victim’s exposure
Most mesothelioma lawsuits settle out of court for around $1 million. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help guide victims and their families through the process of filing your case and getting you the compensation you deserve and need to take care of your medical bills and your family.
