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 fire bricks and brick mortar.
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 brick hod carriers may have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure on the jobsite.
Hod carriers whose work is to carry supplies to bricklayers and masons, may have been dually exposed to asbestos while on the job. Asbestos was used in many construction and building materials because it was inexpensive, strong, insulating, and fire resistant.
Hod carriers were often required to mix asbestos fibers into mortar for the bricklayers which in itself can release a dangerous amount of airborne asbestos. Hod carries may have also been exposed to asbestos while carrying and cutting "fire bricks" that were made for use in furnaces and fireplaces which were made with asbestos filler to resist the heat inherent in these applications.
Laborers were often working alongside other tradesmen on construction sites who were also handling asbestos putting hod carriers at risk of secondary exposure. When asbestos containing materials are handled, damaged, or altered asbestos dust can easily be made airborne. These airborne asbestos fibers linger where they can be inhaled or ingested causing damage to organs that may lead to the development of mesothelioma cancer.
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 other asbestos-related injury, and wish to consult an attorney about your legal rights to compensation, CLICK HERE for a free consultation.