New Orleans Asbestos Lawyer

New Orleans Asbestos & Mesothelioma Attorney

Asbestos fibers such as those found in insulation, packing and gaskets are very dangerous. Inhaling even a small amount of asbestos fibers can lead to serious illness, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is a cancer involving the mesothelium, a tissue that lines the internal organs. If you have been diagnosed with any asbestos-related medical condition, it is important to speak with a New Orleans asbestos lawyer as quickly as possible.

Talking with a personal injury lawyer in New Orleans who understands asbestos cases can be a helpful first step toward justice. The Blake Jones Law Firm has years of experience helping clients diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related medical conditions with their recovery efforts. It’s possible for an individual to develop one of these diseases years after exposure, making it very difficult for them to accurately determine when and where they were exposed. Our team can help our client pinpoint the cause of their condition and hold the appropriate parties accountable.

Were You Exposed To Asbestos? If So, You Have Rights.

Understanding the Risks of Asbestos Exposure

It is important to understand that when it comes to asbestos, there is no safe level of exposure. Even a single incident of asbestos exposure is enough for the individual to eventually develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related medical conditions, and these conditions can take a very long time to show noticeable symptoms.

Long-term exposure increases the likelihood of toxic effects and even secondhand exposure can be damaging. For example, a worker may carry asbestos fibers home on their clothes. When the family runs a load of laundry together, asbestos fibers then spread to the clothes of everyone in the family and puts them at risk of disease as well. And the synergistic effect of asbestos exposure and cigarette/tobacco use greatly increases the risk of lung cancer.

But, even limited, short-term exposure can cause serious damage, namely mesothelioma. In fact, the only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is crucial to consult an experienced New Orleans asbestos lawyer who can help you determine when and where you were most likely exposed. This enables you to determine which party or parties could be liable for your damages.

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What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a type of long, thin mineral. There are six minerals that are considered to be asbestos, and these are grouped under two classifications: serpentine and amphibole. While the serpentine variety is thought to be less dangerous, both classes are known carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer.

For many years throughout the United States, asbestos was commonly used in many applications. In construction, asbestos was often used for insulation and fireproofing. This substance was also commonly used in the production of many types of products, and the workers who handled this manufacturing, as well as those who managed the installation of asbestos in construction projects, were unknowingly exposed to a very dangerous carcinogen.

Illnesses Caused By Asbestos Exposure

Exposure to asbestos can be severely damaging after only a few months of exposure. However, the latency time – the time between exposure and symptom emergence – is usually at least 15 years and may take as many as 30 to 40 years. Serious conditions related to long-term asbestos exposure can cause coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss and other symptoms, and may eventually prove fatal. They include:

• Lung cancer, uncontrolled growth of the cells of the lung, has a relatively low survival rate compared to other common cancers, particularly once it has spread to other areas of the body.
• Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer of the lining of the internal organs (most often the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall), is often fatal within a year or two of diagnosis.
• Asbestosis is a disease caused by lung tissue scarring as a result of asbestos exposure.

Due to the very long incubation period of these diseases, many people who are diagnosed with these conditions are unsure how to prove when and where they were exposed to asbestos. They may also wonder who is responsible for their exposure or if they are actually responsible for their condition.

Is This My Fault?

No. Even if you had other factors that may have put you at risk, exposure to asbestos is a catalyst that would have accelerated those factors, intensifying the damage. For example, while smoking has been linked to lung cancer, there is no causal link between smoking and mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos could, however, compound your likelihood of getting cancer as a result of smoking.

Once you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related medical condition, it is imperative to seek legal counsel you trust right away. You have a limited time in which to pursue compensation for your damages once your condition is discovered, and it can take longer than you might expect to review all of the records and documentation necessary to determine the exact cause of your condition.

The Blake Jones Law Firm is ready to help you prove liability for your asbestos exposure. Throughout the years of our firm’s operation, we have successfully resolved many difficult cases for our past clients and will leverage this experience in handling your case. We have a proven record of successful asbestos exposure cases to prove our commitment and capability when it comes to helping New Orleans clients recover compensation for their damages.

Desirable Properties, Dangerous Consequences

Asbestos resists heat, fire, chemical and electric damage, and therefore it used to be a popular material used in building and manufacturing. Asbestos has been mixed with cement for fireproofing buildings. Asbestos has been found in countless materials, including:

• Plaster
• Caulk
• Brake pads and shoes
• Drywall, joint compound
• Clutch plates
• Fire blankets
• Gaskets
• Insulation (thermal pipe, block)
• Vinyl tiles
• Popcorn ceilings
• Roofing materials (tars, felt, shingles)
• Stage curtains
• Dental cast linings
• Drilling fluid additives
• Siding
• HVAC flexible duct connectors
• Mud and texture coats
• Fireproofing
• Fire doors (interior)
• Wallboard/siding
• HVAC flexible duct connectors
• Wallboard/siding
• Wine
• Asbestos-cement “Transite” products
• Dental cast linings
• Filters for removing particulates from chemicals and liquids

Manufacturers of products containing asbestos knew for decades that the material was dangerous, and yet they did nothing. Their inaction put at risk not only the workers but also the final consumers of the products they made.

Who Has Been Exposed?

Asbestos used to be ubiquitous in a wide range of industries, and many types of workers have typically been at risk for exposure. A partial list of these workers includes:

• Construction workers
• Shipyard workers
• Roofers
• HVAC workers
• Factory workers
• Auto mechanics
• Aircraft mechanics
• Electricians
• Railroad workers
• Carpenters
• Maritime mechanics
• Plumbers
• Pipefitters
• Sheet metal workers
• Boiler mechanics
• Ironworkers
• Machinists
• Paper mill workers
• Maintenance workers
• Oil refinery workers

Indeed, there are few trades where workers would not bear some risk for asbestos exposure. The companies that manufactured the products used in these trades and work sites were not naive about the risks. They knew their products were dangerous. They simply didn’t care. At the very least, they put profits over safety. That’s why you need a lawyer to fight for you now.

We Can Help

At Blake Jones Law Firm in New Orleans, our attorneys pursue compensation for individuals who have developed health problems from exposure to asbestos. Nearly four decades of experience have given us the knowledge and expertise needed to seek justice and get the compensation you and your family deserve.

We will listen to your story and review your employment and housing records to help you determine when and where you were most likely exposed to asbestos. It is possible that liability could fall to a company that is no longer in business. Many such companies shut down once the health risks of asbestos became apparent, and many were compelled to create mesothelioma injury trusts to compensate the victims of their products.

While these injury trusts continue to disburse compensation to claimants throughout the United States each year, it is also possible for liability for asbestos exposure to fall on a current or former employer, a manufacturer, or some other organization. Your New Orleans asbestos lawyer will help you pinpoint the cause of your condition and explain your options for recovering compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.

Due to the extent of the research involved in most asbestos cases, it is vital to consult an experienced New Orleans asbestos lawyer as quickly as possible after your diagnosis. You need an attorney who has proven experience successfully handling these complex cases and whom you trust to guide you to a positive result in your case. Reach out to the Blake Jones Law Firm today to learn more about the legal services we provide and how we can help you recover.

FAQs About New Orleans,LA Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law

How Do I Prove Fault for Asbestos Exposure in New Orleans?

To prove fault for asbestos exposure in New Orleans, you will need to pinpoint the most likely time and place when and where you were exposed. Asbestos-related medical conditions can take a long time to appear, so it is possible that you were exposed many years or even several decades prior to your diagnosis. Your New Orleans asbestos lawyer can help you review records and documentation to pinpoint the most likely source of your condition.

Is Mesothelioma Curable?

Unfortunately, mesothelioma is incurable. This disease is ultimately fatal and will progress at different rates based on various factors, including the severity of the individual’s exposure, their age, overall medical status, and other individual variables. It’s possible for someone to live for quite a long time with mesothelioma if the disease is detected early and they receive appropriate medical treatment, but mesothelioma is a terminal form of lung cancer.

How Much Compensation Can I Obtain for Asbestos Exposure?

The amount of compensation you can obtain for asbestos exposure will depend on several factors. If you can prove liability for your condition, it is possible to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income and earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Your New Orleans asbestos lawyer will be an invaluable asset for accurately calculating the total damages you are eligible to claim from the party responsible for your asbestos exposure.

How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?

Asbestos causes mesothelioma when asbestos fibers enter the lungs and embed in the lining of the lungs. These particles are very small, sharp, and light, making them capable of remaining suspended in the air for hours or even days. Once inhaled, these particles will embed in the lungs, and repeated exposure will lead to more particle accumulation and a more rapid progression of the disease.

Why Should I Hire a New Orleans Asbestos Lawyer?

You should hire a New Orleans asbestos lawyer because you are significantly more likely to succeed with your legal efforts when you have experienced legal representation on your side. These cases are inherently challenging for several reasons, including the difficulty most victims have in pinpointing the sources of their exposure. Your attorney can help you prove fault and assist you with maximizing your recovery.

Speak to our Experienced Attorneys Today

Our lawyers at Blake Jones Law Firm can help put you and your family on the path to recovering an award. If you believe you suffer an injury or a health condition due to asbestos exposure, send us a message. We offer flexible appointments, including on weekends, and can come to you. Call us at 504-500-1234 or contact us to schedule your consultation today.