Mesothelioma Attorneys Win $1.28 Million for New York City Carpenter
by Jason Wentworth
(New York)
People suffering from asbestos-related cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer have legal rights that they need to be aware of.
Asbestos cancers typically strike late in life, often after a person has already retired and less able to afford the substantial expenses associated with cancer treatment. An experienced mesothelioma attorney or asbestos lawyer can help a person obtain compensation for an asbestos cancer.
A Brooklyn-born 77-year-old carpenter who spent his entire 30-year career renovating and beautifying New York City landmarks such as Yankee Stadium and the Empire State Building was diagnosed last February with mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Frequently, people suffering from mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at jobs they held in the past.
The carpenter knew that his mesothelioma cancer was the result of injustice. Many employers who worked with asbestos-containing products knew of the lethal dangers of asbestos but chose to conceal those dangers because asbestos is cheap and has many commercial uses.
Soon after being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, the carpenter hired mesothelioma attorneys in the hope of obtaining financial assistance to pay for medical expenses and physical suffering brought about by mesothelioma.
Less than one year after the carpenter's lawyers started working on his case, the companies that were sued decided to settle the case for $1.28 million.
During his career, the carpenter worked at many New York City landmarks. As a member of a Long Island local carpenter's union from 1958 to 1988, his work took him to the Empire State Building, Yankee Stadium, the World Trade Center, the Verrazano Bridge and JFK Airport.
At these job sites, the carpenter had encountered asbestos dust while he cut asbestos-containing sheet rock.
As a foreman at the Empire State Building, his crew cut and installed fireproof ceiling tiles made of asbestos, while working around asbestos-wrapped steam pipes. The carpenter recounted, "working up in the ceilings, putting the grid up, we had steam pipes going through there with the asbestos wrapped on them. I bumped into them once in a while and saw dust."
As a foreman at Yankee Stadium, the carpenter supervised renovation work, built new counters, partitions and drop ceilings at the refreshment stands.
It is likely that he was exposed to asbestos at this job during the cutting of asbestos-containing fireproof ceiling and asbestos-containing floor tiles. Activities such as cutting can cause the release of asbestos fibers.
Unfortunately, many jobs involve a risk of asbestos exposure. This is because asbestos was used in a wide range of products because of its fire-resistant characteristic.
Asbestos was used in insulation material, brake pads, roofing material, tiles and other products. Workers who work with asbestos-containing products are at risk of being exposed to asbestos and developing cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Many people who are suffering from mesothelioma worked as mechanics, carpenters, boilermakers, plumbers, sheet metal workers and shipyard workers.
If you worked at a job where you may have been exposed to asbestos, you should get tested regularly for asbestos cancers to maximize the chance of early detection.
If you have been diagnosed with asbestos cancers like lung cancer or mesothelioma, you should consult a mesothelioma attorney to determine whether you qualify for monetary compensation.
