10 Vital Facts About Asbestos And Your Personal Injury Claim

If you have been exposed to asbestos in your work place, you should know that you may be entitled to seek compensation from the employer responsible for the exposure. Asbestos is a dangerous workplace environmental hazard that has been shown to cause several different types of lung diseases, including cancer. Read on for 10 important facts about asbestos and getting compensated for your exposure.

1. Even if your exposure was years ago, there are exceptions to the statute of limitations that protect your right to file a claim. The "discovery rule" allows the statute of limitations to begin once your illness is discovered, which can, in some cases, be 20 or more years after exposure.
2. Asbestos is composed of six different minerals, and its widespread use is due to its ability to produce products that are fire-, sound-, and heat-resistant as well as electrically and chemically resistant. It is commonly found in insulation and construction products.
3. Asbestos exposure is linked to Asbestosis, Mesothelioma and lung cancer. Exposure is caused by inhaling the fibers, which get lodged in the lungs and cause the associated diseases.
4. Asbestos was used in the production and construction of walls, ceiling tiles, insulation, brake pads, roofing materials, floor tiles and much more.
5. Only long term exposure is linked to the diseases, so accidental or occasional contact with asbestos has not been shown to cause exposure-related diseases. 
6. Surprisingly, asbestos has not yet been banned in the United States, despite many efforts to do so. At this time, only six categories of materials have been banned by the EPA.
7. Asbestos litigation is the largest single mass tort in history, and the largest single award to an individual for damages was $322 million dollars.
8. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases usually include shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, crackling noise in chest, weight loss and anemia.
9. Family members could also be at risk of asbestos exposure from the clothing, skin and hair of asbestos workers who brought it home with them.
10. More than 30 billion dollars have been set aside in a trust for compensation for the victims of asbestos exposure.

The statute of limitations clock starts ticking the moment you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, so don't delay in seeking legal help as soon as possible. A personal injury attorney like Kirkpatrick & Zeitz will be well-versed in asbestos litigation and will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve for your suffering from exposure to this hazardous product.