Merced Asbestos Lawyer

Products containing asbestos have been widely in use since the 1800s. The peak of its use was between the 1930s and the 1970s when asbestos was used in carb brakes, clutch pads, baby powder, adhesives, building materials, and more. Federal regulations and increased health concerns have substantially reduced the use of asbestos-containing products in California and throughout the United States. For many people, sadly, it is too late. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are serious, and in many cases, they are even fatal. It is not only people who worked directly with asbestos who suffer but people in their home, as well. Secondary exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are brought into the home by the worker’s clothing. Below, our Merced asbestos lawyer outlines your legal options if you or a loved one has suffered harm.

Those who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other serious diseases caused by asbestos exposure are people who were exposed directly to it, usually through work. These individuals include:

• Auto mechanics
• Boiler and furnace workers
• Shipyard workers
• Construction workers
• Miners
• Pipefitters
• Railroad workers

Diseases related to asbestos exposure are often not detected until decades after exposure. While all asbestos mining sites in the United States have been closed since the early 2000s, there were still 2,803 new mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the country in 2021, impacting 1 in every 100,000 people. If you have been exposed, reach out to an asbestos attorney in Merced today.

Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the lungs, abdomen, and chest cavity. While some patients can live for 10 or more years after diagnosis, the disease is usually fatal. It is also, unfortunately, just one of the many diseases caused by asbestos exposure. Others include:

• Asbestosis, a condition in which the lungs become inflamed and, ultimately, scarred. Coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing are the most common symptoms of asbestosis.
• Lung cancer
• Other lung issues such as pleural effusions, pleural plaques, and a thickening of the membranes surrounding the lungs

Exposure to asbestos has also been connected with other types of cancer, including kidney, throat, bladder, brain, gallbladder, and more.

If you or someone you love has suffered harm due to asbestos exposure, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover damages. Typically, these lawsuits must be filed within one year of identifying an illness, which is usually the same date as the diagnosis. The one-year statute of limitations also applies to wrongful death cases.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another disease related to asbestos exposure, you may be able to obtain financial compensation. Our Merced asbestos attorney at Brod Law Firm can help your family through the process so you recover the fair settlement you deserve. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or fill out our online form to schedule a free review of your case with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help.