Asbestos exposure can cause serious illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer. Unfortunately, many people have been unwittingly exposed to asbestos on the job, but don’t suffer the repercussions until decades later. At Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, our occupational disease lawyers understand that asbestos exposure can have a devastating impact on ailing workers and their families. We help clients in the greater NYC area understand their rights and advise them on the best course of action to protect their health and financial future.
Jobs With a High Risk of Asbestos Exposure
High-risk professions for asbestos exposure include construction, shipbuilding, oil refining, mining, power plants, textile manufacturing, and other industrial settings. Both aircraft and auto mechanics are sometimes exposed to asbestos. Those who work producing, installing, or removing asbestos products must take serious precautions to avoid asbestos exposure. It’s also important to keep in mind that people who work in other sectors can be exposed to asbestos at work as well. For example, before 1980, thousands of schools were built with asbestos products. Teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, and administrators all faced the risk of asbestos exposure while working in these environments.
Employers Must Provide a Safe Workplace
Employers have a duty to inform workers of any risk of asbestos exposure in the workplace. Both the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and New York State have strict regulations for asbestos-related work. Regulations require employers to:
- Provide proper training for working with and around asbestos
- Monitor asbestos exposure levels of employees
- Provide personal protective equipment, such as respirators, goggles, gloves, and clothing
- Ensure building materials, waste, and other items containing asbestos are labeled with a warning
- Provide a well-ventilated workspace
If you lost a loved one due to an asbestos-related occupational disease such as mesothelioma, it may be possible to seek compensation. An experienced occupational disease attorney can help you sort through the complications and fight for the proper benefits.
Compensation for Asbestos Exposure
Generally, in New York, employees who receive workers’ compensation for on-the-job injuries or illnesses are not permitted to sue their employers. Because occupational diseases related to asbestos exposure can take decades to appear, these types of claims can be challenging to prove. That’s why it’s crucial to seek the advice of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer if you’ve been exposed to asbestos at work. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to pursue compensation for damages from other sources. Asbestos trust funds, which were created by bankrupt companies that negligently exposed people to asbestos, provide compensation to victims of mesothelioma and their families. Whether you file a claim with an asbestos trust fund or pursue a lawsuit, you may be able to recover damages such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future wage loss
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages for the loss of a loved one
How an Occupational Disease Lawyer Can Help
Whether you’re thinking of filing a workers’ compensation claim or a lawsuit for asbestos exposure, an experienced attorney can help you discover all the options that may be available to you. They can assess your circumstances and help you maximize the amount of compensation you receive, whether it’s from workers’ compensation benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance, an asbestos trust fund claim, or a lawsuit. In some cases, you may be eligible to obtain compensation from several different sources. Sorting it all out is a complex undertaking, so having a seasoned asbestos exposure lawyer by your side is a must.
Contact a Greater NYC Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Learn More
For more than 30 years, our team at Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, has helped injured workers in the Greater New York City area get the benefits and compensation they deserve. As the largest workers’ compensation law firm in Staten Island, we’re dedicated to helping workers and their families get through tough times. Attorney Rolando Cubela is proud to serve our Spanish-speaking clients. To schedule a case evaluation for your workers’ compensation or social security disability claim, call us at 718-273-9000 or contact us online.
