Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals with a fibrous structure composed of microscopic fibers. For sake of simplicity, these minerals are all grouped together under the term ‘asbestos.’










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Si es posible que haya estado expuesto al asbesto, hable con su proveedor de atención médica sobre pruebas y exámenes para ayudar a detectar la presencia de fibras de enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto.






















Asbestos has been used as protection against fire since ancient times.









From cremation shrouds to roofing felt to fire blankets, humans wove asbestos fibers into fireproof cloth.





Image Asbestos CREMATION Firefighters article bodyImage Asbestos FIREFIGHTER Firefighters article bodyImage Asbestos FIRE BLANKET Firefighters article body





Asbestos has been in use for thousands of years but only became popular in the late 1800s. That’s thanks to its insulating and fire-retardant properties, making it a handy to-go in various industries, including construction, shipbuilding, automotive parts, and other manufacturing fields. It has found its way into building materials, brake pads, electrical equipment, and textiles, just to name a few.





Asbestos is sneaky, and it’s easy for its fibers to break up into particles small enough to get airborne and inhaled, wreaking havoc on one’s health in the process. Ultimately, its downside is its elusive taste or smell, so when inhaled or swallowed, a person has no way of knowing they’re in danger.






    

        

            

                
                    

                        
                            
“La evidencia general sugiere que no existe un nivel seguro de exposición al asbesto”.

                            
Fuente: Instituto Nacional del Cáncer
 (NIH)1

                        		
                    

                
            

        

    























Health Problems Associated with Asbestos Exposure









La exposición al asbesto is a significant health concern due to its potential to cause several serious illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. These illnesses were first linked to asbestos exposure in 1928, when it was discovered that inhaling asbestos fibers could cause asbestosis, which was later found to result in lung cancer.





Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may overlap.





Both asbestosis and lung cancer share similar symptoms, such as coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness, and weight loss. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for asbestosis, and it can also easily lead to lung cancer.





Mesotelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen, is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Like asbestosis and lung cancer, it can take years or even decades to develop and present with similar symptoms. Unfortunately, mesothelioma has a poor prognosis, with most patients surviving only a few months to a few years after diagnosis.





The Latency of Asbestos Diseases: Most take decades to show symptoms.





The primary reason for the poor prognosis of asbestos-related illnesses is the long latency period between exposure and the onset of symptoms, usually forty or fifty years. By the time symptoms appear, the disease may have already progressed to an advanced stage, making it difficult to treat.






    

        

            

                
                    

                        
                            
“Por lo general, quienes desarrollan enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto no muestran signos de enfermedad durante mucho tiempo después de la exposición”.

                            
Fuente: Instituto Nacional del Cáncer
 (NIH)2

                        		
                    

                
            

        

    























Exposición ocupacional al Asbesto









Workers in specific industries and occupations are at a higher risk of asbestos exposure. These brave souls can be found in industries that require close contact with asbestos materials, including all of those mentioned above.





This is primarily due to the widespread use of asbestos specifically in building materials, shipbuilding materials, and automotive parts. Individuals who refurbish or dismantle aged structures, along with electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians, may encounter asbestos. 





Many industrial facilities still utilize asbestos in heat-resistant applications, putting workers at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases decades after leaving the workplace. Old refineries, foundries, shipyards, and other manufacturing facilities are ripe with risk.





However, firefighters are yet another vulnerable population that often get overlooked.













Image Asbestos FIREFIGHTER article body













Why are Firefighters at Risk of Exposure?









Firefighters are like courageous soldiers who fearlessly enter hazardous and uncertain situations on a fairly regular basis. They must risk exposure to asbestos and other dangerous substances in the course of their work to save people and property. To add insult to injury, asbestos can be found in several firefighting supplies.





Firefighters, however, are at risk for significant health issues after inhaling asbestos particles that become airborne and spread throughout their bodies. 





Firefighters face many risks, including respiratory problems from inhaling burned material.





But while asbestos doesn’t burn, its fibers break up and fly around during a fire, and can be easily inhaled.





Asbestos is also present in fireproof materiales used in several buildings. Firefighters risk being exposed to asbestos fibers when an asbestos-containing building is on fire. It’s pretty scary because firefighters who work in or around buildings with asbestos can breathe in those fibers even after the fire is successfully put out.














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There was a restriction on using asbestos in firefighting gear in the 1970s, but older gear may still contain asbestos and pose a danger to firefighters.






























The Risks Asbestos Poses to Firefighters









Asbestos is friable





The friability of asbestos refers to its propensity to fragment into smaller fibers when it is agitated, such as in a fire or during cleanup. This increases the likelihood of inhaling asbestos fibers and can also lead to contaminating clothing, gear, and equipment with asbestos dust.





Secondhand Exposure





What’s worse than direct asbestos exposure? Bringing it home to your relatives! 





While on the job, firefighters may be exposed to asbestos fibers, which they may then bring home on their clothing and equipment, exposing their families without even knowing it.





Huge Latency





The latency period of asbestos-related diseases poses a challenge because, again, it takes decades for symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses to appear, and by the time they do, the damage is often irreversible. This makes it challenging to diagnose and treat asbestos-related illnesses in firefighters and their relatives who have been exposed secondhand to the toxin.













       
        
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Compensation for Asbestos Exposure









Legal Actions for an Asbestos Claim





It is important for anyone who worked in a factory or industry prior to 1982 to consult with their doctor to confirm if they have been exposed to asbestos. If exposure is confirmed, they may be able to pursue legal options to seek compensation.





One option is to bring a personal injury claim against the business that caused their asbestos exposure. Damages for medical costs, lost pay, and pain and suffering brought on by the asbestos-related sickness are all possible claims in the complaint.





Another option is to bring a claim for wrongful death on behalf of a loved one who passed away from an asbestos-related illness. This lawsuit may seek compensation for burial costs, lost wages, and companionship.





Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), firefighters who have worked in an environment where asbestos was present may also be eligible to bring a claim.





Asbestos Trusts and Compensation Funds





Compensation funds are typically established to offer financial aid to individuals who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer, as a result of their exposure to asbestos in the workplace.





The eligibility criteria for fideicomisos de asbesto y compensación funds are stringent, and if a claimant applies, they’ll be required to furnish proof of exposure to asbestos and any diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness. In certain situations, they might have to undergo medical evaluations to verify the alleged diagnosis and secure their eligibility for compensation.





It should be noted that the compensation amount received from asbestos trusts and other compensación funds may differ based on various factors, such as the severity of the illness, the duration and intensity of asbestos exposure, and the number of claims submitted.





















Assistance Programs









Health care assistance: Firefighters and their families may be eligible for health care assistance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, to cover medical expenses related to asbestos-related illnesses.





Support groups: Numerous support groups are available for individuals and families affected by asbestos-related illnesses. These groups provide emotional support and resources for coping with the illness.


























Conclusion on Firefighters and Asbestos Exposure









Despite the awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure, firefighters are still at risk due to their job requirements. Many have been exposed in the past and only discovered the consequences later in life. 





It is pertinent that current and former firefighters prioritize medical tests and assertively call for action from their employers and the government. The gateway to compensation funds and trusts needs to be widened to ensure easier accessibility for anyone affected. 





It’s also left to firefighters to cover their bases and reach out for backup when it comes to legal and medical aid. By taking these steps, firefighters can safeguard their health and receive the compensation they deserve.





















AsbestosClaims.Law









Para Justinian C. Lane, obtener una indemnización por las víctimas del asbesto es algo personal.





Los abuelos de Justiniano y su padre trabajaron con asbesto en su juventud y murieron de cánceres relacionados con el asbesto en sus últimos años.  





En el momento de cada una de sus muertes, nadie en la familia de Justiniano sabía que eran elegibles para presentar una demanda por asbesto y buscar una compensación de los fideicomisos de asbesto.





Debido a que nadie en la familia de Justiniano conocía sus opciones, nunca recibieron compensación alguna por la muerte de sus seres queridos. 





Si cree que su lesión o la de su familiar estuvo relacionada con la exposición al asbesto, podría tener derecho a una compensación significativa.





Este es dinero que podría usar para cubrir los costos de los servicios de remoción de asbesto, pagar el tratamiento médico y proteger de manera preventiva su bienestar físico. 





También hay fideicomisos de asbesto que ofrecen compensación mucho más rápida y fácilmente (sin presentar una demanda).





Si desea ayuda para presentar un reclamo, ponerse en contacto por correo electrónico a [email protected] 	o llámenos o envíenos un mensaje de texto al (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) o (206) 455-9190. Escucharemos su historia y le explicaremos sus opciones. Y nunca cobramos por nada a menos que reciba dinero en su bolsillo.





Además de demandas legales, discapacidad de veteranos, seguridad social y protección del empleo como compensación de trabajadores, FELA y La ley de Jones para los trabajadores marítimos, hay fideicomisos de asbesto que se han establecido para indemnizar a los perjudicados por el asbesto sin tener que presentar una demanda.





No hay riesgo ni costo para hablar con uno de nuestro personal sobre su litigio de asbesto. No hay cargos a menos que reciba dinero.





Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes adicionales relacionadas con el asbesto, visite nuestro sitio web y página de YouTube para ver videos, infografías y respuestas a sus preguntas sobre el asbesto, incluida la salud y la seguridad, prueba de asbesto, la eliminación del asbesto de su hogar y edificio, y información legal sobre la compensación por lesiones de asbesto.





Presentamos la base de datos de información sobre asbesto más grande del planeta.





W.A.R.D., que significa Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, ayuda a los clientes a reducir cuándo y dónde pueden haber estado expuestos, así como qué productos aún pueden contener asbesto.WARD también ayudará a indicar los tipos de compensación ya cuánto puede tener derecho una persona.



































Carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a firefighter



Lung Asbestos Fibre Burden and Pleural Mesothelioma in Women with Non-occupational Exposure



1 Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH) Hoja informativa sobre asbesto.




2 Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH), Hoja informativa sobre asbesto.