Pipefitters Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma Lawyer Serving Queens, the Bronx & Greater New York

Tradesmen who have previously or are currently working as pipefitters may have been exposed to asbestos at several times while performing normal job duties. Installing and repairing pipe systems in older New York buildings can disturb asbestos fibers in pipe insulation, valves and gaskets, and related materials. In addition, cutting through wall panels, cement, and even removing old ceiling tiles to expose pipe systems can lead to asbestos exposure and place you at risk for serious and deadly diseases.

People who worked as pipefitters in the mid-20^th century worked directly with asbestos-containing materials on a daily basis. From pumps and valves to packing and insulation, asbestos was common in several building materials until the early 1980s. Pipefitters who have been diagnosed with asbestosis or mesothelioma deserve a committed New York asbestos exposure attorney who will fight tooth and nail to secure proper compensation.

Enlist the legal representation you deserve by calling (855) 575-6376 today.

The Risk of Occupational Asbestos Exposure for Pipefitters

The key properties that manufacturers valued in asbestos – why it was widely used in consumer products and building materials – were its abilities to resist heat and corrosion. Coating pipes in asbestos fibers (along with reinforcements such as cement and silica sand) helped pipes be highly resistant to wear and tear, corrosion, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Asbestos coating also allowed pipes to remain somewhat light compared to metal pipes. Pipes that may contain asbestos include:

• Sewer pipes
• Plumbing vent pipes
• Waste pipes
• Vent pipes
• Irrigation pipes
• Gas pipes
• Electrical and cable wire pipes
• Air ducts

Unfortunately, the frequent use of asbestos to coat pipes puts pipefitters at a high risk of developing illnesses from exposure to this carcinogen. Workers who are hired to install, maintain and repair pipes may come into contact with asbestos-containing sprays, adhesives, wraps and other materials. While the use of asbestos in construction is now regulated by the government, older pipes may still put workers at risk. All pipefitters and steamfitters should use proper safety procedures to prevent ill health effects from asbestos.

What Illnesses Are Connected to Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos can cause health problems when microscopic fibers and particles get stuck inside the body. If a pipefitter breathes in asbestos on the job, the particles could become lodged in the tissues that surround the lungs (the pleura). Over time, as the particles irritate the surrounding tissues, inflammation, scarring and tumors can develop. Asbestos fibers can also become lodged in the abdomen, pericardial sac (around the heart) and other parts of the body.

Illnesses and diseases that have been connected to asbestos include:

• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Asbestos lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Pleural thickening
• Pleural plaques
• Cancer in other parts of the body

If you develop any type of illness that can be traced back to asbestos as a pipefitter, you may have suffered occupational exposure to this dangerous mineral. Evidence that your employer was negligent and did not adequately protect you from materials that were known to contain asbestos could give you grounds to file a lawsuit against the company. 

MESOTHELIOMA ILLNESS LATENCY PERIOD

The latency period between initial asbestos exposure and mesothelioma has been known to exceed 50 years. While this is rare, it shows that pipefitters who have not worked in the industry since the 1960s may still only now be facing a diagnosis. The average latency period for mesothelioma is 20 years, but some people will begin to develop symptoms as soon as ten years after exposure.

Developing symptoms of mesothelioma ten years or 50 years after exposure to asbestos is beside the point. The bottom line is that victims of asbestos exposure deserve justice. Joseph Williams is a compassionate attorney with the tenacity necessary to take your case as far as needed to help secure the compensation you deserve.

Your Legal Options as a Pipefitter Who Was Exposed to Asbestos on the Job 

Financial compensation could be available to you from one or more sources as a pipefitter who was exposed to asbestos in New York. Knowing if you have a case may require discussing your situation with an attorney. In general, however, if you were exposed to asbestos at work (or were exposed second-hand through a family member who was a pipefitter) and were diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, you can likely receive financial compensation.

Three sources of financial compensation for pipefitters are:

• Workers’ compensation claim. New York’s workers’ compensation system provides no-fault benefits to workers who get injured or become ill because of their jobs. You could qualify for these benefits even without proof of your employer’s negligence.
• Personal injury lawsuit. If you have proof that your employer negligently allowed you to be exposed to asbestos as a pipefitter, you may be able to sue the company for damages. Pursuing a lawsuit could result in greater financial compensation than workers’ comp. 
• Asbestos trust fund. If the company that you worked for as a pipefitter when you were exposed to asbestos has since gone bankrupt or out of business, you may be able to file a claim with an asbestos trust fund. This is a fund set up by companies to ensure that asbestos victims can get paid even after they go bankrupt.

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma or another serious illness connected to asbestos exposure could entitle you to compensation for your medical care, treatments, therapies, travel and transportation, pain and suffering, lost quality of life, lost earnings, a loved one’s wrongful death, and more. Learn the value of your claim by talking to an attorney in New York.

Contact an Asbestos Lawyer in New York Today

For more information about your rights following a diagnoses of mesothelioma or asbestosis, please contact our experienced New York pipefitter asbestos exposure attorney today for a free consultation.