Asbestos can be found in many places in a house. Because of this, it is not uncommon for people to end up being exposed to asbestos in their homes. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure can result in fatal illnesses. For example, asbestos exposure can lead to the development of mesothelioma.  After suffering asbestos exposure in a house and developing an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, one might be left wondering whom to hold liable. The following are some parties who might be held responsible for asbestos in homes. 

Where Can Asbestos Be Found in a House?

Many of the houses built before the 1980s were built using asbestos-containing products. Therefore, quite a number of people living in older homes are living in asbestos-contaminated houses.

As already mentioned, asbestos can be found in many places in a house. Many houses built before the 1980s contain asbestos in, among others;

• Roofing and siding shingles
• Door gaskets
• Textured paint
• Steam pipes
• Furnaces
• Insulation
• Fireplaces
• Walls
• Floors
• Vinyl floor tiles

It is crucial that if a person finds asbestos in their home, they leave the asbestos undisturbed. Generally, asbestos is not harmful if left undisturbed. Homeowners should avoid trying to remove asbestos from their homes alone. It is best to allow an expert to remove asbestos from a house.

Parties Who Might Be Responsible for Asbestos in a Home

If a person gets exposed to asbestos in their home because of no fault of their own, they might be eligible to recover compensation if they develop an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma. But which parties might be responsible for asbestos in a home? The following are two of the parties a mesothelioma patient might be responsible for asbestos in a house.

Negligent Property Owner

If a state or local agency requires that a property owner discloses to a home buyer the existence of asbestos in the home, failure to do so can be a legal violation. However, when faced with a lawsuit, some property owners argue that they were unaware of the presence of asbestos in the home. It is important to note that if a property owner should have reasonably known about asbestos, they may still be liable for the harm caused by it. When dealing with a property owner in a mesothelioma case, it is crucial to retain a skilled lawyer. A lawyer can help determine whether a property owner knew or should have reasonably known about the existence of asbestos in the home.

Product Manufacturers or Retailers

Depending on the case's specifics, it might be possible to hold a product manufacturer or retailer liable after suffering an asbestos-related illness from exposure to asbestos in a house. For example, if a product manufacturer claimed a particular product was safe and did not contain asbestos, yet the product contained asbestos, they could be held responsible.

Mesothelioma cases involving asbestos exposure that occurred in a home can be complex as it can be hard to determine who is liable for the harm caused. Because of this, it is best to work with a qualified lawyer.

Arizona Mesothelioma Lawyers

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced Arizona mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.