Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can withstand high temperatures without burning. It was used in thousands of ways in homes and workplaces before its dangers were recognized. Exposure to asbestos can be deadly: when the tiny fibers of asbestos are breathed in, they quickly move through the small air passages of the lungs and damage the lining, known as the mesothelial cells. If swallowed, the fibers work their way into the lining of the abdominal cavity, where they cause peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, strikes 3,000 Americans every year.

To this day, asbestos manufacturers continue to deny that they knew there was a danger associated with asbestos exposure, although up to two million Americans still alive will develop asbestos exposure disease, and a third of their family members have also been exposed. Shipyard and construction workers who used asbestos are in danger, as are custodians working in old buildings where asbestos has not been cleaned out, construction workers who renovate or demolish old buildings, and merchant seamen confined to ships built with asbestos products.

Bruce D. Townsend handles legal claims on behalf of individuals and families coping with asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. We offer compassionate representation and aggressive advocacy on behalf of our clients. Please call us at 845-778-2228 for a free, confidential consultation about your legal rights.