Nationwide Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Nationwide Asbestos Exposure Attorney

Most Americans are somewhat familiar with asbestos and the dangers it presents. However, asbestos is still very much present in many places. When exposure occurs, individuals can face several types of lung diseases, including cancers, pleural diseases, and mesothelioma. If you or someone you love has experienced asbestos exposure and now suffers or has been diagnosed with a disease due to that exposure, a nationwide asbestos exposure lawyer can provide skilled representation.

Over the last hundred years, millions of Americans have been exposed to this deadly substance. The horrific truth is that many asbestos manufacturers were aware of the health risks, but they continued to use asbestos in everyday products and many types of construction materials. At Kelley Ferraro, LLC, our attorneys can represent victims of asbestos exposure, fighting for justice and compensation from companies that now stand liable.

Why Work With the Team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC?

For nearly 30 years, the team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, has been representing the victims of reckless and negligent asbestos exposure. We have a client base of over 40,000 individuals nationwide and find that our strength lies in numbers. We fight tenaciously for everyone whose case we take.

At Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we work hard to hold companies accountable for the asbestos exposure they are liable for. Our attorneys can take the following actions:

Investigate your exposure. When we accept your case, we can investigate the incident(s) where you were first exposed, uncover crucial evidence, and identify all sources of said exposure. These can include any home products that you encountered or any exposure that occurred due to your workplace environment.
Gather evidence. Our team has the resources necessary to gather evidence that can demonstrate how the liable party is responsible for your asbestos exposure. We can also show how that party knew the risks but did not change their practices despite the fact.
File your official claim. Once evidence is secured, we can file a claim against the liable party that manufactured, sold, or distributed the product that resulted in your exposure.
Negotiate a settlement. After we file your claim, we can negotiate a settlement on your behalf. However, should negotiations not be successful, we have the experience and resources necessary to take your case to court, where we can fight for the fair amount of compensation you deserve.

Knowing that you have been exposed to asbestos and being diagnosed with a related disease can be terrifying, but your legal counsel and representation don’t have to be. At Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we are trusted nationwide. Our firm has built a reputation for being dependable and tenacious, holding liable parties accountable for the harm victims have suffered. When you look at our results, you know that you can trust us to fight hard for you.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once widely used for its heat-resistant properties and durability. For decades, it was used in the automotive, construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding industries. At the height of its use (between 1940 and 1979), more than 27 million workers were exposed to asbestos across America. While not everyone who comes into contact becomes sick, the risk is still high.

What Are the Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure?

The health issues that can arise from asbestos exposure do not usually become apparent until 10 to 50 years after you’ve come into contact with the substance. When asbestos exposure symptoms do begin to present themselves, however, they can include:

Difficulty breathing
Chronic fatigue
Abdominal pain
Swelling
Lumps
Persistent coughing
Pain under the rib cage
Chest pain
An irregular heartbeat

Once your symptoms begin to develop, the resulting health issues can be severe and even life-threatening. These common conditions include:

Lung cancer. Asbestos fibers are known to cause tumors when they invade the lungs. The risk can increase if you are also a smoker, but even non-smokers can develop lung cancer following prolonged exposure to asbestos.
Asbestosis. Long-term exposure to asbestos can cause scar tissue in the lungs, which can lead to chronic issues, such as shortness of breath or chest pain. It can heighten the risks of developing further illnesses.
Mesothelioma. This form of cancer is always caused by asbestos. It starts in the lining of the lungs or abdomen and is usually only caught and diagnosed in its late stages.
Pleural disease. When the lining of the lungs thickens or fills with fluid, this can cause pain and difficulty breathing. These conditions might not be cancerous, but they can still be debilitating and have various consequences for your life.
Other forms of cancer. Recent research has linked asbestos exposure to other cancers, especially those affecting the stomach, esophagus, and colon.

All these health conditions have been found in individuals across the United States who have been employed in various trades. They have also occurred in the family members of these individuals who suffered secondhand exposure, such as through asbestos fibers on work clothes. It is crucial to understand where your exposure might have taken place, as asbestos exposure laws require you to connect your current illness with past workplaces to hold them liable.

Who Is Most at Risk for Asbestos Exposure?

In certain jobs, workers have historically come into regular and prolonged contact with materials containing asbestos. Usually, these workers were not given the necessary protective equipment or adequate warning regarding the asbestos. While asbestos is more heavily regulated now than it was even forty years ago, individuals are still being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases thanks to past exposure.

If you held one of these jobs in the past, you might be considered a high risk for asbestos exposure in the United States:

Construction worker. For people who handled ceiling tiles, drywall, insulation, or other similar products that, until recently, were manufactured using asbestos, you were likely exposed. Additionally, construction workers can still be exposed during the demolition or renovation of older buildings.
Power plant employee. Asbestos was commonly used in turbines, boilers, and piping systems in many power plants across the country due to its heat-resistant qualities.
Shipyard worker. Asbestos was a widely used product in ship construction and repair, especially in insulation and engine rooms. If you were a ship worker between the 1940s and 1980s, you might have been exposed to asbestos, and you could be eligible for compensation if you were.
HVAC technician. Many ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems can still contain asbestos insulation. This places HVAC workers at risk when handling or servicing older systems that still use asbestos-containing materials.
Manufacturing employee. Workers who used to produce asbestos-based materials are at extremely high risk for developing health conditions due to exposure.
Military veteran. According to one study, an estimated 40,000 U.S. military veterans have died from asbestos exposure. Many military buildings, ships, and vehicles used asbestos-containing materials, meaning that millions of veterans were exposed at some point.
Automotive mechanics. Asbestos was historically used in clutches, brake pads, and other car parts, exposing car manufacturing workers and mechanics to deadly fibers.
Other high-risk occupations. Many other workers have likely been exposed to asbestos during their employment. Additional high-risk occupations include aircraft mechanics, bricklayers, cement finishers, electricians, engineers, firefighters, painters, pipefitters, plumbers, roofers, welders, and 9/11 first responders.

If asbestos exposure may have occurred at your job, and you are now experiencing certain symptoms, it is wise to seek medical care. It is also advisable to consult a nationwide asbestos exposure attorney, as they can explore your legal options for recovering potential compensation.

Damages You May Seek in a Claim

At Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we know that no amount of money will ever reverse the damage you have suffered due to asbestos exposure. However, it can ease the financial and emotional burdens that often follow an official diagnosis. The lawyers at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, can represent victims and their families in pursuing compensation for the following kinds of damages:

Medical costs. Any medical expenses for past or future treatments relating to your asbestos exposure can be compensated. These can include all necessary testing, diagnosis, and treatment expenses, along with surgeries or hospital stays.
Pain and suffering. You can seek financial recovery for the emotional and physical distress that you suffer due to your asbestos exposure and related medical condition.
Lost wages. You can obtain compensation for any past or future income lost because you can no longer work due to your asbestos exposure-related illness.
Punitive damages. While punitive damages are rarely awarded, when they are, they can add significant value to your claim. Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases where the courts deem the liable company and its actions to have been especially egregious or grossly negligent.
Wrongful death. If you have lost a loved one due to asbestos exposure, you can recover wrongful death damages. These funds can assist with all related medical bills suffered before your loved one passed and any funeral or burial costs associated with their death.

Kelley Ferraro, LLC, can recover the compensation you and your family deserve after suffering negligent or reckless asbestos exposure. Even if the responsible company is now bankrupt, there are still legal options available to you, and we can explore those options.

What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos Exposure

Individuals do not often realize that they have been exposed to asbestos until many years have passed, as it can take decades for symptoms to appear. Because these symptoms take so long to show themselves, it is essential that you act quickly as soon as you begin to suspect that you are experiencing exposure-related issues. The steps you need to take include the following:

See a medical professional. First, you need to see a doctor who is experienced in occupational health issues. Make them aware of the details of your past employment, the equipment you worked with, the building type you worked in, and whether you were given any kind of protective gear. Then, get chest X-rays or other tests that can determine changes early on.
Keep a record of your work history. Write down all the job sites you worked at, the years you worked, your job title, and any specific materials you handled that could have contained asbestos.
Identify potential witnesses. You will then want to record any possible witnesses who can testify to your exposure. These can include co-workers, supervisors, or union reps who can confirm that the site you worked at had asbestos present.
Request certain documentation. Your company was likely required to keep certain hazard communication records. These can help your attorney confirm that there was asbestos present on your job site or in the materials you were in charge of handling.
Do not disturb any possible asbestos. If you still work around older forms of equipment or in older buildings, avoid any kind of sanding, cutting, or tearing of materials that may have asbestos in them.
Consult an attorney. Finally, it is essential that you contact an asbestos attorney who serves clients nationwide. We can determine whether you qualify for compensation. If so, we can then work to collect and present the necessary evidence to establish your case. Our firm can also make sure all deadlines are met when filing your official claim.

Hire an Asbestos Exposure Lawyer Today

Kelley Ferraro, LLC, has successfully represented thousands of individuals across the country in asbestos exposure cases, securing millions of dollars in compensation on their behalf. We can fight for the justice you and your loved ones deserve. When you hire an asbestos exposure lawyer from our team, we can build you the strongest case available. With our experience and resources, we can seek the compensation you and your family need during this difficult time. Trust us to fight for a fair outcome in your asbestos exposure case. Contact our offices today to learn more and schedule an initial consultation with our team.