Florida Asbestos Lawyer Wants You to Know the Facts About Asbestos
Asbestos has reportedly been commonly used in Florida. Records indicate that nearly 110,000 tons of asbestos had been shipped from Libby, Montana for processing in five Florida cities, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Pompano Beach, Jacksonville and Boca Raton.
While asbestos was once widely used in many building materials due to its sound absorption qualities, its affordability and its resistance to heat, studies have shown that fire and chemical and electrical damage, prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers may result in serious health complications such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with one of these illnesses or you are experiencing adverse side effects that you feel are related to asbestos exposure, contact a Florida asbestos lawyer today to learn more about your legal rights.
Asbestos in Florida
Hundreds of buildings in Florida contain asbestos-filled products, but as long as the asbestos remains undisturbed and undamaged, it is often considered to be harmless. However, many property and business owners have taken steps to remove the asbestos from their facilities and buildings out of fear of public harm since asbestos has been linked to fatal conditions such as mesothelioma cancer.
Although the number of lawsuits filed by Florida asbestos lawyers is a motivator to prevent exposure to the mineral, many have left the materials in place and instead developed management and awareness programs that seek to contain the asbestos at these locations. In fact, between 1999 and 2008, the most recent data available, there were reportedly 2,017 total asbestosis and mesothelioma deaths in Florida alone. Of these, 397 fatalities were attributed to asbestosis and the remaining 1,638 individuals died from mesothelioma.
Occupations and Areas at Risk for Exposure
There were originally five asbestos processing plants in operation across Florida, and other industries such as mining and construction used asbestos extensively in the fields. Workers at Florida auto repair shops, metal works factories, chemical plants, power plants and shipyards were also more likely to encounter asbestos on a daily basis. Other occupations in home repair, plumbing, electrical work and Florida schools may also present a higher risk of exposure to asbestos.
According to several Florida asbestos lawyers, some of the known locations in Florida where asbestos exposure may be higher include:
- Crist Power Plant
- Big Bear Powerhouse
- Eustis Housing Project
- DuPont Corp. (Forest Wheeler)
- Mulberry Phosphate Mine
- Jacksonville Grammar School
- U.S. Sugar Corp.
- St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant
- Vero Beach Municipal Power Plant
- NASA
Risks of Asbestos Exposure
When exposed to asbestos, the fibers of the mineral become trapped in the lungs, and symptoms of complications may not be evident until 2o to 50 years later. Pleural effusion, pleural plaque, lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma have all been noted in workers and in plaintiffs filing lawsuits to seek compensation for these injuries. If you have been injured or diagnosed with one of these conditions, a Florida asbestos lawyer can help you to seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Plaintiffs in Florida and across the U.S. are filing lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos-filled products as well as employers who allegedly knew of the dangers of certain environments yet neglected to inform their employees of these hazards. Many have suffered from life-threatening health conditions after long-term exposure to asbestos, and a recent study has also concluded that even short-term asbestos exposure may cause certain diseases. Although a worker may still choose to work in an environment that poses a health risk, it is up to the company to ensure that workers are adequately and completely informed of the potential dangers that could occur in each situation.
A Florida Asbestos Lawyer Can Help You Today
If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos and you subsequently developed mesothelioma or other adverse and life-threatening complication, consider seeking legal counsel from a Florida asbestos lawyer as soon as possible. Attorney Group for Florida offers no-obligation case evaluations at no out-of-pocket cost to you in an effort to help potential claimants recover compensation for their damages. If you decide to pursue claim, we can connect you with an affiliated Florida asbestos lawyer who can assist you throughout the legal process and help you seek the appropriate compensation for damages you have suffered.
