Who Is at Risk?

Asbestos dangers to workers and families

Individuals can develop asbestos cancer in several ways - on the job or at home. Workers have been exposed to asbestos for decades on the job. Many times they have unknowingly brought the asbestos dust home on their clothes thus exposing family members to this deadly dust. Asbestos exposure can also come from home repairs using joint compound and performing brake work.

Lung damage from breathing asbestos fibers

Asbestos is a generic term for a group of six different types of fibrous minerals that are resistant to heat, chemical reactions, and electricity.  This durability made asbestos very popular in commercial and industrial building and many other products. 

Unfortunately, the durability of asbestos makes it very dangerous to the human body.  When materials containing asbestos are manipulated, invisible asbestos particles are released into the air.  People nearby inhale the particles into their lungs—and their bodies cannot dislodge and expel these fibers like other foreign objects.  The lungs develop scar tissue from the agitation of the fibers, decreasing lung capacity.  Over a long period of time, asbestos exposure can lead to asbestosis, a non-cancerous but debilitating condition, and also to mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.

Occupational exposure is responsible for mesothelioma

Long term exposure and severe lung damage may have occurred to workers in many industries:

Contaminated job sites

Many job sites over the years have been contaminated by asbestos.  The link directly below is a sample list of many contaminated job sites.  It does not contain every contaminated job site.  If you do not see your job site on this list, it does not mean that it was not contaminated or that we do not have information about it.

Click here to view a sample list of contaminated job sites>>

Secondary exposure

Family members who live with those occupationally exposed as listed above were also exposed to the asbestos fibers carried home on the worker's clothing—for example, when the worker came home covered in asbestos dust and hugged his family—are also at an increased risk of developing asbestos-related conditions.

What to do if you are at risk for mesothelioma

If you worked in any of these industries using asbestos—or lived with someone who did—at any time between ten and 40 years ago, you should consult your doctor and describe your level of asbestos exposure. 

Contact our Florida mesothelioma attorneys

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related cancer, reach out to Anita Pryor or Alan Pickert for help from an experienced mesothelioma lawyer.  We serve clients throughout Florida, and can travel from our Jacksonville office to meet you at your convenience.  We offer free initial consultations and operate on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing for our services unless we achieve a settlement for your case.