Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Claims in Maryland
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that forms in the thin layer of tissue that surrounds your body’s major organs, which is called the mesothelium. One of the most common types of mesothelioma is found in the lungs, known as pleural mesothelioma. This type of cancer is typically the result of negligence and has resulted in a number of massive lawsuits around the country. Because Maryland borders the Atlantic Ocean, it is home to a number of shipyards, some of which have had issues with exposure to asbestos. In addition, Baltimore was home to a number of industries that carried a high risk of exposure to asbestos as well, especially after World War II.
The time limit to file a lawsuit for mesothelioma is short, so it is imperative that you contact a skilled Maryland personal injury attorney right away.
At-Risk Occupations
Some occupations have a higher risk of asbestos exposure than others. Some of these include:
- Constructions workers
- Steel mill workers
- Automobile mechanics
- Sheet metal workers
- Flooring installers
- Chemical plant workers
- Roofers
- Tile installers
- Power plant workers
- Military service personnel
It can take many years for malignant mesothelioma to form. There are additional risks for people who live with someone who worked with or worked near asbestos, as those workers often carry asbestos fibers home on their clothing.
How Asbestos Exposure Creates Cancer Risk
Dust is created when asbestos is used. If that dust is ingested or inhaled, the particles will settle in your lungs or stomach. It is not guaranteed that you will get cancer, but it can eventually lead to mesothelioma. It can take as long as 30 to 40 years to develop mesothelioma from direct exposure. Secondhand mesothelioma is a risk for whomever washes the worker’s clothes or anyone who has been in close contact with an exposed worker.
How Employers are Liable
Many employers, once they learned of the risks of asbestos exposure, continued to use it, thereby exposing thousands of workers to the dangers. The courts have established asbestos trusts to help compensate these workers and other exposed individuals due to many companies’ efforts to profit off something they knew was life-threatening. Settlements help cover medical expenses, but in cases in which a victim can prove the manufacturer purposely concealed the dangers, or did not provide workers with adequate protection, the settlement amount can be much higher.
Statute of Limitations in Maryland
If you are affected by asbestos or had a loved one who passed away due to asbestos exposure, you need to contact a Maryland personal injury attorney right away. You have a limited time to file an asbestos-related lawsuit in Maryland. If you miss the deadline, you lose any right to receive financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc. In Maryland, the statute says you have three years from the date of diagnosis or three years from the date of death.
Retaining a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney
If you have questions about asbestos-related personal injury lawsuits or any other type of personal injury, contact the Law Office of Robert R. Castro at 301-870-1200 to schedule a consultation.
