Exposure to asbestos is no joke, as many workers and people in general have faced this serious issue in their lives, including in Louisiana. This exposure can lead to the debilitating and even fatal disease known as mesothelioma. The most common type of mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs, although there are other types which affect the heart, the stomach, etc. It is a serious matter, and the financial burden can be tremendous. If you have been affected by asbestos exposure and have been diagnosed with a disease such as mesothelioma, or one of the many other diseases related to asbestos exposure, you should contact a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer right away. This lawyer can help you to understand your legal rights in this situation, and give you a free evaluation, after which he or she can tell you about any compensation that you might be entitled to.
The statistics of Louisiana in regards to asbestos related diseases and deaths is harrowing. In a period of 20 years, there were about 700 recorded deaths in the state, out of over 4 million people. Maritime industries are huge in Louisiana, as well as oil refining and drilling. There are also eight major power generation plants in existence there. There have been many cases in each of these industries, of unknowledgeable or willful negligence leading to exposure to asbestos fiber. Since a tragic fire on a cruise ship off the New Jersey coast in 1935, protective measures began to be taken, with the use of asbestos insulation in construction of sea-going vessels and those that navigated along the river systems. Therefore, Navy veterans and shipyard workers were increasingly more likely to contract asbestos-related illnesses.
In the industry of power generation, Monokote is being used as a coating for conduits, steam generators, and pipe fittings. Although the amount of asbestos fibers in it has been reduced to 1%, it is still a danger, and it can legally be marketed as being asbestos-free. Oil rigs require equipment and clothing that has asbestos in it for protection against potential fires, which is a real danger when working with oil rigs. Unfortunately, when the clothing or equipment becomes worn or ripped, the fibers are released and can do the worker harm. Thirteen of the petroleum processing plants in Louisiana have been identified as sites for potential asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is very difficult to treat, as the symptoms do not appear until sometimes years after the initial exposure had occurred. There is also no cure to date.
After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, there was much concern over gutting homes that were destroyed from the flooding. Asbestos is released into the air and ground from doing so. The new practice is wetting down the building before tearing it down, although this does not necessarily make a huge impact on the prevalence of asbestos in the environment.
For those who have been exposed to asbestos and been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, there is little relief to be found. The best thing you can do if you have had this happen to you, is contact a mesothelioma lawyer Louisiana as soon as possible for a free evaluation of your case. Experienced mesothelioma lawyers can be of great assistance to you in winning your case, and freeing yourself and your worry of the worries of a financial burden, whether you have lost your job or just have steep medical bills.
