True stories of asbestosis and the negligent companies that propagated the disease

In this section, we have compiled true, personal stories of people like you who suffer from asbestosis disease. In understanding their stories, perhaps it will bring greater insight to your own. The stories are broken up into the following categories:

• First-hand exposure of someone working directly with asbestos
• Second-hand exposure of a spouse
• Second-hand exposure of a child
• First-hand exposure of a veteran

Because asbestosis is caused by asbestos exposure, you have legal options to pursue financial compensation for your illness. Take, for instance, Joseph D. who worked for fifteen years as a laborer for Treadwell corporations cleaning asbestos out of powerhouses in the New York area. Joseph became a Weitz & Luxenberg client after he was diagnosed with asbestosis. We were able to help him track down the companies that exposed him to the asbestos, which made him ill. We could then assist Joseph in the filing of a lawsuit against these companies, and prove with hard evidence that they were responsible for Joseph’s asbestosis. Joseph can rest easier now that he has received a generous settlement.

For more information on how we can help you in the same way we have helped Joseph (and so many like him) contact us by filling out the form on this page.

First-hand exposure (Worker)

By far the most common story is that of a person who worked in a profession that exposed him or her to asbestos for many years. This worker was aware that he or she was working with asbestos, but had no idea that asbestos was harmful.

Decades after exposure to asbestos the worker is diagnosed with asbestosis. It is usually then that the worker is alerted to the fact that the companies that exposed him to asbestos knew that it would make him sick. The worker then seeks legal counsel to pursue financial compensation from these companies.

Second-hand exposure (Spouse)

Another common scenario is that of a spouse getting asbestosis even though he or she has never worked with asbestos before. This happens because the person working with asbestos will carry it home in his or her clothes and hair. The microscopic asbestos fibers look like harmless dust and it is simply brushed off.

Second-hand exposure (also known as “take-home” exposure) can happen when a wife shares the same pillow as her husband, or in the washing of his clothes, for example.

People who develop asbestosis from second-hand exposure can still seek legal action against the companies responsible for exposing their spouse’s to asbestos.

Second-hand exposure (Child)

An especially tragic story is when a child develops asbestosis as a result of second-hand asbestos exposure. In the same way a spouse can become exposed to asbestos, a child can as well.

For example, the father worked in construction and would come home with asbestos dust on his clothes. As soon as the father would walk through the door, his daughter would give him a hug. That hug would shake dust off of his clothes and the daughter would then breathe it.

Years later, the daughter is diagnosed with asbestosis.

This is particularly a problem in Libby, Montana where most of the town worked at an asbestos mine for decades before they found out that asbestos was harmful.

Even children who have developed asbestosis have the legal options to pursue financial compensation from the companies that made them ill. Although, if the child is under the age of 18, his or her legal guardian must act on his or her behalf.

First-hand exposure (Veteran)

Veterans were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis in the war. Prior to the 1970’s, asbestos was a common insulator for navy ships, aircrafts, and automobiles.

"There was a sleeping compartment for engineers or 'snipes' as they called us, and the pipes above our bunks were coated with asbestos. Every time they'd fire the Uhlmann's big 5-inch guns, the vibration shook the pipes and the dust would fall into our beds." A boilerman working on a warship during the Vietnam War describes a common experience for veterans.

Weitz & Luxenberg feels that it is a betrayal to this country that asbestos companies would poison the soldiers working so hard to protect them. Pursuing compensation from these companies does more than provide monetary support for you and your family; it also helps send a message to negligent corporations everywhere that valuing profits over people will not be tolerated.

Your personal story

Weitz & Luxenberg would like to hear your story of being diagnosed with and battling asbestosis. We can help you get all of your medical bills covered, and provide financial support for your family with a lawsuit against those responsible for your illness.

Fill out the form on this page for a free, legal consultation.