Building Demolition Plans Delayed By Asbestos Removal

Demolishing a building requires careful planning and advanced engineering, especially when the building in question is located in an urban area. This was the case with New Orleans’ Claiborne Towers, which were slated for demolition to make way for the new University Medical Center. However, planners hit a snag when inspectors found traces of asbestos in the building, which meant the hazardous materials had to be removed before the US Department of Environmental Quality would approve the implosion. Exposure to asbestos, even trace amounts of it, can lead to mesothelioma, an aggressive and highly fatal form of cancer that is often only detectable in its later stages.

Even though the building was not inhabited, imploding a structure containing asbestos could have been extremely dangerous for anyone nearby. Most of the dust from the implosion would fall within 150 feet of the building’s footprint, according to experts, but some particles could travel up to six blocks. Therefore, workers have been carefully dismantling pieces of the building to avoid contaminating the air.

Air quality will be monitored before and after the implosion, and residents have been encouraged to close windows and turn off air conditioners around the time of the implosion. This may seem like an excessive amount of foresight, but doctors and researchers are still learning about the effects of asbestos exposure and how dangerous it can be to have even minimal contact with the substance.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or have been exposed to asbestos, contact our Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys

today. You may also reach them at (504) 522-7885 to set up a free case review.

Asbestos Exposure And Workplace Hazards

In our last post we discussed the problems a local developer ran into when routine inspections showed traces of asbestos in a building scheduled for demolition. This meant the building had to be at least partially dismantled by hand to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure for local residents after the building was imploded. Even with the most advanced technology and precautions, handling asbestos-contaminated materials is a dangerous job. So what of the workers who come upon asbestos accidentally, or never knew they were in contact with it? For nearly 100 years, asbestos was a very common material used in buildings. It was not until the recent past that doctors linked asbestos exposure to a host of health problems, including lung cancers like mesothelioma.

Construction workers should be trained to recognize asbestos immediately and report it to a supervisor. Like any workplace hazard, vigilance on the part of the employer and the employee is the best way to avoid accidents. That said, if an employer is hiring people to work on an old building, boat or even car, that employer should conduct a thorough safety inspection to prevent exposure to hazardous materials. Symptoms of asbestos exposure often take decades to present themselves, but victims can seek damages if they can identify the source of their exposure. Unfortunately, this is often too late to avoid the damage this material can cause.

If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, contact our Louisiana mesothelioma lawyers today to learn more about your rights and options moving forward. We also offer free case reviews, and you can call us at (504) 522-7885.

Why are Military Members at a High Risk for Mesothelioma?

Exposure to asbestos fibers is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Over the years, the deadly lung cancer has hit America’s veteran population the hardest, especially those who served in the Vietnam and World War II.  That is because a large number of service members worked in shipyards during this time. Asbestos was a common shipbuilding material, and military members suffered daily exposure as part of their duties.

Navy veterans in particular suffered the highest levels of asbestos exposure. Locations such as boiler rooms, engine rooms and sleeping quarters contained dangerous asbestos levels. Even military staff located off the ships suffered second-hand exposure only to find out years later that they have mesothelioma. Second-hand exposure came from inhaling asbestos fibers from the clothes and hair of those who had first-hand exposure to asbestos.

What this means is that military members who served our county in the 1960’s and 1970’s are now finding out that they have mesothelioma. This type of cancer can lay dormant for several decades before symptoms manifest. It is common for patients and doctors to dismiss the symptoms for a far less serious condition such as influenza or bronchitis.

In most cases, there is someone responsible for asbestos exposure. While nothing can cure mesothelioma, an attorney can help victims get financial compensation to help with medical expenses and treatment. You can reach our office at 504-522-7885. We look forward to helping you if you think you have mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure. Our website offers more information.

Can Children Develop Mesothelioma?

Because of its extremely long latency period, mesothelioma is normally associated with older individuals. The average age of a mesothelioma patient at diagnosis is 65, according to mesothelioma.com. However, there are reported cases of mesothelioma in children.

Children can develop mesothelioma from direct asbestos exposure in the home. A home with older building materials puts children at risk of airborne asbestos fibers. The child can inhale the deadly fibers, which attach to the child’s lungs and cause mesothelioma. A child can also develop mesothelioma through secondary exposure from an adult who had first-hand exposure to asbestos. The child can inhale the fibers from the adult’s clothes or hair, exposing itself to mesothelioma risk.

Mesothelioma is rare in children, so there is no special course of treatment than there is for adults with the cancer. As with adults, chemotherapy and radiation are recommended, but the outlook is still dim for children with mesothelioma.

You can usually trace asbestos exposure to a negligent party who failed to provide adequate warnings or protection from the deadly fibers. You can speak with one of our mesothelioma lawyers free of charge by calling 504-522-7885. Visit our website for more information about our law practice.

Mesothelioma’s Four Stages

A mesothelioma diagnosis is difficult to hear from your doctor. Your course of treatment will depend on what stage the cancer is in when the doctor discovers it. Doctors generally categorize mesothelioma into the following four stages.

Stage 1 means the cancerous tumor has not spread to the other organs and tissues in the body. In this stage, surgeons can usually remove the cancer. In stage 2, the cancer is bigger and has spread to the lungs or diaphragm. Surgical removal is sometimes possible is stage 2. In stage 3 mesothelioma, the cancer is in the chest, esophagus or lymph nodes and surgery is not effective. In stage 4, the mesothelioma has made its way throughout the body in the chest, abdomen, neck and bones. This is the most serious stage and life expectancy is extremely short. An early and proper diagnosis is key to a longer life expectancy.

Patients suffering from a mesothelioma diagnosis can usually pinpoint the time in their life when they were exposed to deadly asbestos fibers. Asbestos was a large occupational hazard in the past 50 years and employers failed to protect their workers from exposure. If that is the case with you or a loved one, call our office at 504-522-7885 to speak with a mesothelioma attorney. We offer a free and confidential case review.  Our mesothelioma website has more information on how we can help you.

Louisiana Mesothelioma Lawyers Explain The Long and Deadly History of Asbestos

Long before the 1970’s and 1980’s, asbestos has been responsible for lung disease and early deaths. The ancient Greeks marveled at its fire-retardant properties, which is why “asbestos” is Greek for “inextinguishable.” The Romans also used asbestos to fireproof their clothing and other textiles. The Romans also noticed that people who mined the asbestos developed a lung disease and died while they were still young.

Despite the link to lung sickness and death, asbestos grew in popularity and its use exploded during the Industrial Revolution. Factories in the United States used it in everything from shipbuilding materials to home insulation. What this meant is that workers were around asbestos on a daily basis often without adequate protection from its deadly fibers.

By the middle of the last century, more and more people began experiencing lung problems. Doctors found that these people worked with asbestos earlier in their lives. It was common for employers to expose their workers to asbestos even though the employers knew it was deadly. The federal government passed laws regulating asbestos use in the U.S., but there is no official ban on the material.

If you know someone exposed to asbestos that is now experiencing health problems, call our office at 504-522-7885 to speak with a mesothelioma attorney. We offer a free and confidential case review.  Our mesothelioma website has more information on how we can help you.

Louisiana Mesothelioma Lawyers Warn Of Asbestos After Natural Disasters

Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters such as hurricanes and super storms. This region has experienced much of the same destruction that Super Storm Sandy caused on the eastern coast of the United States. In the wake of these natural disasters, there are massive amounts of debris littering the streets. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns residents about the potential asbestos risk in some of the debris.

Many residents volunteer to clear damaged buildings and debris. Unfortunately, what they do not realize is that some of the debris might contain deadly airborne asbestos fibers. If left alone, asbestos is usually not a danger. However, once disturbed anyone nearby can easily inhale the asbestos and contract mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Buildings constructed before 1980 are at the highest risk for materials containing asbestos. If you decide to help in clean-up efforts after a natural disaster, it is best to have protective gear such as safety glasses, mask or a respirator. Any level of asbestos in the air is dangerous, and it is best to leave the clean-up to professionals with proper training and equipment.