Hidden Hazards: Uncovering the Industries and Jobs Most Vulnerable to Asbestos Exposure
If you or a loved one have worked around asbestos, you may already know about the risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is heat and corrosion-resistant. As a result, asbestos is often used in a wide range of commercial products, including insulation, construction materials, automotive parts, and fireproofing materials. Although asbestos is regulated in the U.S., the material is still widely used in some industries.A Cook County, Illinois, jury recently awarded $40.75 million to a deceased man’s family in a mesothelioma case. Bruce Torgerson served in the Army and then worked for 40 years in oil refining and industrial machinery, where he was exposed to asbestos dust from gaskets and packing made by John Crane. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, in 2018 and died shortly after that while his wife was suffering from Alzheimer’s. The Chicago jury’s verdict included $30 million for Mr. Torgerson’s loss of life and $10 million for his wife and family.While ultimately, Mr. Torgerson’s family was able to gain justice for their father’s death, mesothelioma can be challenging to diagnose early enough to treat effectively. Sometimes, it can be 40 years after exposure before a victim gets a definitive diagnosis. That’s why it’s essential to know the industries and jobs that can put people at risk for asbestos exposure and asbestos-related cancers.
Industries At Risk for Asbestos Exposure
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, more than 27.5 million workers were exposed to asbestos in their jobs between 1940 and 1979. But asbestos exposure still happens today. Some of the industries where workers are most at risk for asbestos exposure now or in the past include:
- Construction workers
- Firefighters
- Vehicle maintenance
- Shipyard workers
- Miners
- Insulation workers
- Navy shipyard workers
- Oil refinery workers
- Aircraft mechanics
- Boiler workers
- HVAC workers
- Industrial workers
- Machine operators and machinists
- Textile mill workers
- Teachers
Hire an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney
It can be frightening if you or a loved one have a recent mesothelioma diagnosis. But this isn’t a burden you have to bear on your own. You may be entitled to financial compensation if you were exposed to asbestos at work. A skilled asbestos and mesothelioma attorney can help. The Madeksho Law Firm has been been helping victims of asbestos exposure get the compensation they deserve since 1972, and we can help you. Call us at 1-888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us online to schedule a consultation. The consultation is free, and there's never a charge unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
