For property owners, mold damage and asbestos are serious concerns. They not only pose very serious health risks but they also depreciate a property’s value and can be very expensive to repair. If you find that your property has either mold or asbestos, it needs to be addressed immediately. Our New York Asbestos Damage Lawyers are here to serve! It can be quite complicated to obtain insurance coverage for those types of issues and can be even more complex whenever it involves an illness. To help protect your rights and interests when you are having to deal with your insurer, please call our skilled and experienced New York property damage attorneys.
We have assisted claimants who have been diagnosed with occupational asbestos conditions to receive multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts. Those cases are very hard to litigate given the fact that it an ake a very long time for asbestos diseases to become obvious. Our resourceful and experienced lawyers have everything that it takes in order to prove your claim and ensure you receive the fair and full compensation that you deserve and need.
So whether you have suffered a serious illness or property damage due to mold and asbestos call Rosenbaum & Taylor today at (914) 326-2660 to get your free consultation scheduled.
What Is Asbestos?
It is the commercial name that refers to naturally fibrous minerals. During the 1960s and 1970s asbestos was used for building insulation, and also in hot water pipes, flooring, and roofing due to having fire-resistant properties. Before white asbestos became heavily regulated, it was often used in the manufacture of domestic water and heating systems. In addition, it was used in construction for spray-on insulation and can be found to this day in older structures such as houses, shops, factories, cars, and buildings.
Materials that contain asbestos include fireproofing materials, putties, caulking, coatings, textured paints, roofing shingles, electrical ducts, heating ducts, insulation, vinyl flooring, and cement pipes.
Is Asbestos Dangerous?
There is the potential for asbestos fibers to become airborne and then for them to be inhaled into a person’s lungs. Although asbestos is not automatically a health risk inside a building, where breathing in asbestos becomes a risk is when the material is either disturbed or damage. Damage that is caused by a natural disaster or negligence during renovations may cause asbestos to break into particles and become airborne.
In order to protect occupants of a building from asbestos, asbestos can be sealed off or removed by an asbestos abatement licensed contractor. Asbestos damage, unfortunately, is frequently not covered by a majority of property insurance policies. That leaves property owners liable to pay for asbestos abatement, in addition to any illnesses that asbestos exposure has caused.
What Diseases Does Asbestos Exposure Cause?
Mesothelioma
This is the most serious asbestos-related disease. It is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the membrane lining of the abdomen and lungs. It can develop 15-60 years after an individual has been exposed to asbestos. Currently, there is no cure for mesothelioma that is known. However, it may be treated with radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Asbestosis
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can potentially scar the lungs as well as their lining. When there is significant scarring, it can hamper the ability of the lungs to exchange gases, which results in the victim having a decreased capacity to breathe. This condition, like mesothelioma, normally doesn’t become apparent until 15-60 years after being exposed.
Other Forms of Cancer
Being exposed to asbestos also has been associated with numerous other cancers, including stomach and throat cancer.
Which Occupations Are Commonly Associated with Asbestos Exposure?
People who work in the occupations below are at risk of being exposed to asbestos:
- Welders
- Sheetmetal workers
- Plumbers
- Plasterers
- Pipefitters and coverers
- Papermill workers
- Painters
- Navy yard workers
- Millwrights
- Mechanics
- Machinists
- Foundry workers
- Firefighters
- Engineers
- Electricians
- Crane operators
- Cement finishers
- Carpenters
- Bricklayers
I Am Not Sure Where I Became Exposed to Asbestos – Do I Still Have a Case?
Even if you are unsure what or who is responsible for your asbestos-related illness and damage, you might have a viable lawsuit still. An experienced lawyer will be able to determine what is the source of your asbestos exposure by reviewing your employment history and making investigations into the companies that have a prior history with asbestos. There could be multiple companies that are at fault. If that is the case, each will be assigned part of the overall damages.
How Much Time Do I Have for Filing an Asbestos Lawsuit?
In New York, there is a three-year statute of limitations for an asbestos injury lawsuit. It starts on the date of your initial diagnosis. However, there are some exceptions. If a loved one of yours died from an asbestos-related illness, then your wrongful death claim needs to be filed in two years of the individual’s death. However, those are simply guidelines, so you need to talk to an experienced lawyer in order to determine the exact deadline for your individual case.
What Hazards Are Associated With Mold?
When water damage is suffered by a property mold will often follow very soon after since molds thrive in wet building materials such as insulation, wallpaper, carpet, and drywall. Certain molds which grow indoors are linked to a number of adverse health issues and illness, including headaches, fatigue, nausea, and respiratory problems since they may release harmful mycotoxins and spores into the air.
Mold damage may or may not be covered by your property insurance. It will depend on your policy coverage and what the cause of the mold is. An experienced attorney can help you understand your insurance policy’s terms and help you navigate through the various options that are available to you to secure coverage for relocating from your property or removing mold from it.
Consult Our New York Asbestos Damage Lawyers
Whether you are suffering from a serious illness or have sustained property damage, you deserve to have legal representation from one of the best New York personal injury attorneys. If mold or asbestos has caused an illness or damaged your property, it is critical to act as fast as possible. Please contact us today at (914) 326-2660 for your free consultation so that we can discuss what legal options are available to you.
