Have You Been Exposed to Asbestos?

Individuals exposed to asbestos in New Jersey may be at risk for contracting several disabling or deadly diseases.

Some occupations expose workers to higher risk than others, but even low risk work environments can cause harm. The following outlines occupations that place workers and their families at varying risks of exposure to asbestos in New Jersey:

High Risk	Asbestos related businesses, Asbestos Mining, Asbestos manufacturing, Brake Repair Specialists

Moderate Risk	High Exposure Environments where employee does not work directly with asbestos but is still heavily exposed. Chemical Manufacturing, Demolition, Firefighters, Construction Laborers
Low Risk	Family Members of Exposed Individual, Asbestos dust carried into the house on shoes, clothing, hair and skin, Drinking water carried through pipes containing asbestos, Using products in the home manufactured prior to asbestos being restricted

Products Containing Asbestos

Beginning in the 1900s and continuing into the late 1980's, asbestos was used in the manufacturing of more than 3,000 different products, including construction of schools, commercial buildings and homes. Some of the more common asbestos-containing products include:

Asbestos insulation Ceiling tiles Ceramic tiles Acoustic tiles

Sheetrock Paint Ducts Furnaces

Vinyl flooring Shingles Siding

Everyday household products also may contain asbestos, including:

Adhesive Fake snow Ironing Board Covers Mittens

Wallpaper Yarn Brake Show Linings Clutch pads

Table pads Beverage filters Wire insulation Heat mats

Industries that commonly expose workers to asbestos in New Jersey are the construction, shipbuilding, and automotive industries.

What Can Asbestos Exposure Do to Me?

Asbestos is a known carcinogen. In other words, it has been proven to cause cancer. Although increased knowledge of the hazards of asbestos exposure in New Jersey have greatly decreased its use, many products manufactured before asbestos was restricted are still in use today.

Individuals exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing five distinct diseases:

• Asbestosis is the result of breathing in high levels of asbestos into the lungs. Scar tissue forms and the patient develops persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing. Some patients have no symptoms until as many as 30 years after their exposure to asbestos.
• Lung Cancer - Taking as much as 40 years to show symptoms, lung cancer from asbestos exposure is quite common. Individuals who smoke have a much higher risk of contracting fatal lung cancer.
• Mesothelioma, caused by exposure to asbestos, almost always proves fatal within a few short months after being diagnosed.
• Pleural Plaques - Pleural Plaques occur when changes take place in the thin lining-the pleura-- surrounding your lungs, due to asbestos exposure. While pleural plaques may not be fatal, there is a great degree of discomfort and breathing difficulty.
• Other Cancers - Asbestos exposure may lead to other cancers

Generally speaking, your level of risk depends on four factors:

1. How long you've been exposed to asbestos
2. How much time has passed since exposure began
3. Whether or not you smoke
4. Your body's response to asbestos fibers

How Can You Help Me?

If you or your loved one has been exposed to asbestos in South Jersey, we can help you file a claim against the employer or manufacturer to recover your losses and address your suffering.

Your asbestos claim will seek compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

Many individuals who file asbestos claims seek damages, not just for themselves, but to publicize the responsible employer's or manufacturer's negligence.

Where Do I Begin?

Begin with the compassionate assistance of our experienced South Jersey aspestos attorneys who know how to:

• Evaluate your case
• Investigate the facts
• Determine the best course of action
• Pursue your claim in court

The attorneys at Anapol Schwartz may pursue your asbestos claim under product liability laws in New Jersey to prove the employer's or manufacturer's negligence and liability. Our extensive network of professionals and experts in the field of asbestos litigation offer financial and emotional support to families and communities affected by exposure to this deadly product.

To find out more, contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our skilled South Jersey attorneys. There is never any cost to you until we win your case.