Texas Asbestos Lawyer
Asbestos is a mineral that was once used for its fire-resistant properties in such products as insulation for pipes and ceilings, fire-resistant drywall, bricks, concrete, roofing, and flooring. The use of asbestos for industrial purposes in the United States began in 1858, and for many years it was in widespread use for the development of thousands of different types of materials.
Though suspicion of the health effects of asbestos arose early on, research began to show a more convincing trend of negative health effects of asbestos beginning in the 1910s. According to reports, compensation claims began to appear the following decade. Industrial sectors started noting serious health risks related to asbestos beginning in the 1930s, but there still was not substantial-enough evidence against the use of asbestos. Texas personal injury attorney Ward Stephenson filed the first ever asbestos-related lawsuit on behalf of workers who installed insulation containing asbestos and allegedly developed asbestosis as a result, arguably making him the first Texas asbestos lawyer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency investigated the health effects of asbestos in 1981, and implemented new regulations in 1989 barring the use of asbestos for many purposes. Use of asbestos continues to this day, based on policy that eliminating it would not save many lives and would cost hundreds of millions of dollars. In addition, suitable alternatives to asbestos for some of its uses have not been discovered. Nevertheless, those injured by asbestos may still pursue claims against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.
To date, about 700,000 plaintiffs have sued around 8,000 defendants, with awarded compensation sometimes reportedly reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. Scott Baldwin, Sr., an attorney for Baldwin & Baldwin, L.L.P. and based in Marshall, Texas, negotiated a $20 million settlement for his client in one high profile case. Please note that every case is different and past results do not guaranty future outcomes of cases.
Asbestos is dangerous because it scars tissue in the lungs. The serious health effects of asbestos and its related diseases reportedly cause over 10,000 deaths per year, and at least 1,623 people have died in Texas from asbestos-related diseases between 1999 and 2008, putting the state in fourth place for total deaths. Asbestos has been known to cause conditions such as asbestosis, which is a chronic inflammatory lung disease, and mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the protective membrane surrounding many of the body’s organs. Both conditions have been linked to exposure to asbestos, and their symptoms, like constant shortness of breath, respiratory failure, chest pain, abdominal pain or problems with digestive functions, could indicate that you are suffering from one of these diseases. If you or a loved one are experiencing conditions like these, it is important to seek medical attention and consult with your doctor. If you are diagnosed with a serious medical issue that may have been caused by asbestos exposure, it is also important to contact Texas asbestos lawyers such as those affiliated with Attorney Group for Texas.
Texas asbestos lawyers have assisted in the filing of more lawsuits in Texas than in any other state between 1998 and 2000. Since then, the State of Texas has attempted to manage the number of claims filed in ways such as giving scheduling preferences to those with active physical impairments, consolidating cases and limiting liabilities for businesses that buy or merge with companies with asbestos litigation pending. To find out if any of these policies would affect your case, contact Attorney Group for Texas to get a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding your particular situation.
If you or someone you love has experienced the harmful effects of asbestos, including asbestosis or mesothelioma, get in touch with a Texas asbestos lawyer today. The Attorney Group for Texas can help connect you to an experienced attorney who understands your case. Texas asbestos lawyers affiliated with The Attorney Group for Texas are experienced in handling these cases, and can guide you in determining your specific legal actions. Contact Attorney Group for Texas today and get connected with a Texas asbestos lawyer who is right for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and get your questions answered.
