An elderly man received a mesothelioma diagnosis. However, he was perplexed. He wanted to know when and where asbestos exposure happened. After careful investigation, the man tied his diagnosis to renovations on his college campus in the 1960s.
About Asbestos
Asbestos once filled countless U.S. homes and businesses in the form of insulation and heat-protecting materials. Throughout the construction boom following WWII, asbestos was a key element in thousands of industrial and household products, including drywall, wiring, glues, and adhesives, ceiling tiles, cement, and shingles. Some of these asbestos products remain in old structures. They are harmless if not disturbed. Asbestos injured workers while on the job.
When the asbestos industry was booming, families of workers were at great risk. Workers often came home with asbestos fibers in their hair, work clothes, and tools. This exposed family members to the toxic substance and increasing their risk of related diseases.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) presented a Workers’ Home Contamination Study to Congress that showed “families of asbestos-exposed workers have been at increased risk of pleural, pericardial or peritoneal mesothelioma, lung cancer, cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, and nonmalignant pleural and parenchymal abnormalities as well as asbestosis.”
Occupations that are at high risk for exposure in older buildings include firefighters, contractors, demolition workers, electricians, and plumbers.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis College Link
However, the elderly man was not involved in any of those careers. His investigation revealed that during his attendance at Syracuse University between 1964 and 1968 the university performed many renovation projects. One of these involved replacing asbestos vinyl tile in his freshman and sophomore dorms. Also, the university removed asbestos in his fraternity house during both his junior and senior years. In addition, the college continued to remove asbestos all over campus. After removal, the asbestos tiles went into boxes labeled “American Biltrite’s Amtico vinyl asbestos tile”.
The company, American Biltrite argued against his lawsuit. It said a judge should dismiss it due to lack of proof of general or specific causation. However, the judge said the man could not obtain proof due. Therefore, the jury will decide who is responsible.
Get Help with a Specialized Complex Litigation Attorney
A Complex Litigation attorney like those found at The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is critical when seeking help to cover your asbestos-related expenses. Identifying exposure time and location is crucial. Experienced lawyers are familiar with companies that used asbestos and know which job sites had a significant amount of asbestos use. Also, they know which products contained high concentrations of the toxic mineral.
Also, consultations are completely free, confidential and have no obligation. The Michael Brady Lynch Firm has successfully represented thousands of consumers and recovered millions of dollars for their clients. Attorneys from around the country recognize our team as some of the most experienced and successful. Many seek out our award-winning staff for our knowledge of complex litigation, scientific evidence development, negotiation strategies, and trial tactics.
Most of all, our law office is resourceful and dedicated to pursuing any due compensation. Because of this, we have also received a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, such as inclusion on numerous Plaintiff Steering Committees. In fact, we will take whatever legal measures are necessary when fighting for your rights to damages.