Throughout the 20th century, tons of asbestos were mined in our country and put in thousands of everyday products. Asbestos was very inexpensive and was used as filler in many different products throughout many different industries. For example, asbestos was widely used in boilers, heating and pressure containers, and pipe insulation.
There are a number of different jobs where workers were exposed to a large amount of asbestos on a very frequent basis. People who have worked as boilermakers may have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure on the jobsite.
Boilermakers, who worked to build, install, maintain, and repair boilers, and large heating and pressure containers may have been continuously exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was often used by boiler manufacturers in many boiler components as well as asbestos insulation because its properties make it resistant to heat and fire. Even those working to repair and maintain boilers today may be exposed to asbestos contaminated boiler units.
Boilermakers may be at risk of developing mesothelioma cancer as their job tasks often required them to weld, hammer, and file asbestos containing materials in small, unventilated work spaces. These job duties may have released asbestos fibers into the air where they could then be inhaled or ingested. Once these small asbestos fibers are in the body, they can become lodged in body tissues causing the development of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
Unfortunately, millions of people have been exposed to asbestos over the years. Only now are we able to see the disastrous effects of asbestos exposure in the workplace. Generally, it takes 10 to 60 years from the time of asbestos exposure until symptoms appear or mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Many of the companies have established trust funds to pay compensation to persons injured by asbestos.
If you have mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related injury, and wish to consult an attorney about your legal rights to compensation, CLICK HERE for a free consultation.