Maintenance Workers and Factory Employees at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was once prized for its heat insulation and fireproofing properties and was used in a variety of materials in the factory and maintenance industries. Although many companies discontinued using asbestos upon learning about its hazardous nature, many others continued using asbestos even up until the early 1980s.
Workers in power generation plants, factories, paper mills, textile mills, and manufacturing and recycling plants may have come into contact with asbestos during this time, putting them at an increased risk of asbestos-related diseases.
Our attorneys are dedicated to tracking down the source of asbestos exposure through comprehensive interviewing of a victim's life activities and work history. Although many factory workers have been exposed to asbestos in many different plants throughout their working life, we can litigate on your behalf simply by demonstrating any single significant asbestos exposure.
Common Asbestos-Containing Products at Factories
Workers in factories traditionally were exposed to asbestos in a number of different ways. Many of the materials containing asbestos were either insulation products or small parts used in machinery.
One piece of machinery that commonly contained asbestos is that of grinding machines, which workers relied on to polish product surfaces. Conveying systems also commonly contained asbestos. Transportation belts, as well as belt drivers, were also commonly enforced with asbestos fibers.
Based on the type of product being manufactured, some factories even contained asbestos for workers to use during the production process. For example, some factory workers used asbestos adhesives to close packaging.
One study that focused on the various asbestos dangers to which workers were exposed found that exposure occurred in the following ways:
- Walking through manufacturing areas that contained asbestos
- Workers who had asbestos fibers on their clothing
- Production equipment that contained asbestos
- Products that contained asbestos
- Family members of workers who were exposed to second-hand asbestos
Legal Actions involving Asbestos
One of the first substantial lawsuits involving the danger of asbestos at factories involved the JW Roberts, LTD Factory in England. The factory implemented a ventilation system that led to the circulation of asbestos fibers into nearby neighborhoods. As a result, factory workers, in addition to many people who lived near the factory, were eventually diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases.
There have been a number of studies establishing the link between asbestos usage at factories and deadly illnesses. Unfortunately, a large number of factory workers were exposed to asbestos even after it was determined that asbestos was dangerous.
We're Personally Connected to What You're Going Through
Our principal attorney, Michael Throneberry, lost his own father-in-law to mesothelioma in 2004. Michael's father-in-law developed mesothelioma after years of factory work, and lost the battle just 16 months after being diagnosed.
Michael understands what it's like for loved ones to watch their family member die a slow, painful death. He understands the physical, financial, and emotional devastation that medical treatments for mesothelioma can cause, and he's passionate about supporting his clients and their families in their own similar struggles.
Contact our law office today by calling 480-605-4967 or schedule a free initial consultation with us online for compassionate and caring representation and aggressive litigation. We represent clients nationwide and will travel to you for a consultation.