Mesothelioma in Machinists
Legally Reviewed By: Sam E. Taylor
Managing Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos in Houston
- Page Last Updated:
- October 30, 2024
Legally Reviewed By: Sam E. Taylor
Managing Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos in Houston
- Page Last Updated:
- October 30, 2024
Machinists experienced heavy asbestos exposure while fabricating and repairing precision metal machine parts and tools. Although employers no longer use machinery that contains asbestos, machinists may continue to develop mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure that occurred decades ago. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer with no known cure and a sole known cause—asbestos exposure.
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Contact our law office today to learn more.
Asbestos Exposure for Machinists
Asbestos was valuable in the machining industry because it provided thermal insulation, resisted corrosion, insulated against electricity, and suppressed fires. It was especially important in machining equipment that generated high heat, such as lathes, grinders, milling machines, and drill presses. It was also used in electrical wiring, gaskets, valves, seals, and adhesives throughout machine shops and worksites.
Machinists also fabricated and repaired asbestos-containing products, such as brake components, clutches, and other parts in the automotive, locomotive, and aeronautical industries.
Asbestos becomes dangerous when disturbed, and its microscopic asbestos fibers become airborne. Machinists could inhale millions of fibers while performing everyday tasks in factories, machine shops, and other industrial settings. They experienced occupational asbestos exposure while performing the following jobs:
- Machine shop worker
- Tool and die maker
- Lathe operator
- Grinding wheel operator
- Drill press operator
- CNC operator
- Millwright
If you worked in the machining industry, you may have been exposed to asbestos while setting up machines or using grinding wheels, lathes, mills, and drill presses. Due to the precise nature of machining, your breathing area may have been within inches of the asbestos exposure source, exposing you to high concentrations of the toxic material.
Legal Options for Machinists Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Many product manufacturers knew asbestos was harmful but intentionally kept the public in the dark so they could continue producing the product without restrictions. Thus, they are liable for the harm stemming from asbestos exposure.
In the 1970s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began enacting regulations restricting asbestos as public awareness of its dangers became widespread. Today, asbestos is almost completely banned in the United States. However, mesothelioma typically shows up many decades after exposure. No matter how long ago your asbestos exposure occurred, you have a right to pursue compensation through multiple sources if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have grounds to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against the manufacturers and distributors that exposed you to asbestos. You may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. The available damages may vary by state.
To win compensation, you must identify the parties who exposed you to asbestos and that this exposure caused your illness. You must provide evidence connecting the defendant to your diagnosis. It can take several months to resolve, extending to years if the case goes to trial. However, most of our cases settle without going to trial. Our success in the courtroom has won us the respect of our adversaries—they will often settle for the compensation our clients deserve to avoid facing us in court.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Many companies in the asbestos industry declared bankruptcy amid the high volume of lawsuits filed against them. You cannot sue these companies. However, the courts required them to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate people who develop diseases from exposure to asbestos in their products.
To file an asbestos trust fund claim, you must prove the respective companies you file your claims with are responsible for your asbestos exposure and that you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. Asbestos trust funds typically pay compensation faster than lawsuits.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
If your loved one has died from mesothelioma after working as a machinist, you may be entitled to pursue compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. You may be able to receive the following damages, depending on the laws of your state:
- Loss of your loved one’s income
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- Your family’s grief and suffering
- Loss of companionship
Surviving family members can also recover damages through asbestos trust fund claims if the responsible companies have declared bankruptcy.
VA Claim
If you worked as a machinist in any branch of the United States military and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to VA disability benefits. To qualify, you must have a confirmed diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness and establish that your illness resulted from asbestos exposure during your military service. If your VA claim is approved, you can receive free VA health care and monthly disability compensation.
Why Choose the Lanier Law Firm
We have over 25 years of experience getting justice for clients from the companies that wrongfully exposed them to asbestos, with over $20 billion in successful settlements and verdicts, including the following:
- $115 million for 21 steel mill workers who contracted mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos in a grinding wheel
- $7 million for a Louisiana worker sickened by asbestos exposure
- $2.577 million for a man exposed to asbestos on oil rigs and in automotive brakes
- $1.5 million for the family of a deceased dredge boat mechanic
Not every personal injury law firm is qualified and equipped to handle asbestos exposure cases. These cases are complex claims against wealthy companies. Your asbestos exposure may have occurred 20, 30, 40, or more years ago. It takes significant financial resources, knowledge of the unique laws around asbestos product litigation, and familiarity with the asbestos industry to successfully stand up to these companies.
We know the machinist industry, and once we have your employment history, we can identify the responsible companies and start working to hold them accountable. We work with private investigators, medical experts, scientists, and historians in our network who have helped us amass one of the world’s most comprehensive asbestos databases to help us prove your claim and maximize your compensation.
Contact Us
We are dedicated to helping each client recover the full compensation they deserve from large corporations that put profits over their health. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we can pursue significant compensation with no upfront cost to you. We take on all of the initial costs and risks associated with pursuing your claim, and we only collect a fee if and when we win.
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