Asbestos Exposure Attorneys

Our Houston Asbestos Lawyer Knows Asbestos Damages

For over 60 years, asbestos has been known to be a human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In April 2019, the EPA issued a final rule to ensure that asbestos products that are no longer on the market cannot return to commerce without the Agency evaluating them and putting on restrictions. Asbestos is also regulated under Texas laws (Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Chapter 295), which govern asbestos removal and disposal, as well as worker training and safety.

The Health Hazards of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially for well over a century, but its use dramatically increased during World War II. Since then, asbestos-containing materials (ACM) have been used in many industries, such as the following:

• Building and construction have used it to strengthen cement and plastics; as insulation; and for roofing, fireproofing, and sound absorption. The mineral has also been used in ceiling and floor tiles, paints, spray-on coatings, adhesives, and plastics.
• Shipbuilders used asbestos to insulate boilers, steam pipes, and hot water pipes.
• The automotive industry still incorporates asbestos into vehicle brake shoes and clutch pads.
• The mineral is found in vermiculite-containing garden products, and other ACMs are used in talc-based products.

People are most often affected in the workplace, where tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. When breathed in, they become trapped in the lungs and can remain there for years. Over time – since workers are typically exposed to asbestos daily – the fibers eventually overwhelm the lungs. The resulting scarring and inflammation degrade the victim’s ability to breathe and lead to serious health problems.

Enough evidence has been gathered to clearly establish that asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma (a cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen), as well as cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovaries. Growing evidence also links asbestos exposure to higher risks of stomach, pharynx, and colorectal cancers.

When you have suffered serious injury due to asbestos exposure, our asbestos lawyers will do everything possible to hold the responsible parties accountable.

To win your lawsuit, our asbestos injury attorneys would have to show that another party, the defendant in the case, was negligent and at fault for causing the vehicle accident and the damages you received. This means showing the following legal elements:

• Duty: The defendant had a duty not to cause harm.
• Breach: The defendant breached this duty by actions or failure to act.
• Cause: This breach caused your injuries.
• Damages: You suffered damages as a result.

In addition to the manufacturer of the asbestos, responsible parties that may be named as defendants include:

• The property owner where you were working
• The owner of the company you worked for
• An employer who didn’t warn of the dangers of asbestos or provide you with proper protection
• Violators of the Texas Occupations Code Section 1954.001 that requires that buildings be inspected for the presence of asbestos whenever they’re demolished or renovated.

Our attorneys would seek to locate all potentially negligent parties and name them as defendants, as they all may have assets and insurance that could go toward a settlement.

Houston Asbestos Lawyer Answers Your Questions

When dealing with asbestos damages, you are bound to have questions and concerns. While these are best addressed at your free consultation, to get you started, here are some answers to questions our attorneys are often asked.

How much will my damage award be?

There is a wide range of damage amounts that may be awarded in a successful asbestos case, from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the circumstance of the case. Factors that will be considered in determining amounts include:

• The severity, extent, and permanence of your injuries and whether you will need continuing care
• Actual costs of your losses and expenses
• Lost earnings and whether you will be able to work in the future
• Your age, earning potential, and family situation
• Whether death was involved
• Availability of insurance coverage and assets of the defendants
• The skill and negotiating power of your attorney.

In general, injuries that involve permanent damage and require long-term care or death often result in a higher settlement.

Are there time limits for filing?

Yes, Texas has statutes of limitation, which are deadlines for filing cases, after which the courts are unlikely to hear your case. According to the law, (CPRC Chapter 16, section 16003), for personal injury, claims must generally be filed within 2 years after a mesothelioma diagnosis. For wrongful death, claims must be filed within 2 years after death from mesothelioma. (*But always speak directly to an attorney for the exact deadline(s) that apply to your potential claim(s).)

What are the symptoms of asbestos damage and mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because it mimics other respiratory illnesses and the disease’s long incubation period. It can take 30 to 50 years (or thousands of work days) from first exposure until the disease is detected. Many don’t get sick until after they retire.

Mesothelioma is incurable, but the earlier the diagnosis, the more patient treatment options there are. Mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Chest pain and persistent cough
• Shortness of breath and painful breathing
• Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
• Fluid accumulation in the protective pleural membranes that surround the lungs
• General fatigue.

If you have a history of asbestos exposure and are experiencing any of these symptoms, call our asbestos exposure lawyers as soon as possible.

What are sources of asbestos exposure?

The EPA cites the following most prominent environmental sources of asbestos-induced cancers:

• Industries where people mine or manufacture asbestos products
• Construction sites (particularly building, demolition, and renovation activities)
• Automotive brake and clutch repair work outfits
• Deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed asbestos-containing products, such as insulation, fireproofing, acoustical materials, and floor tiles, and old buildings which contain these ACMs.

People working (or living) around these sites can also suffer from exposure to asbestos when the products containing the element were disturbed due to renovation or removal or the normal release of asbestos fibers into the air.

How much does it cost to hire a Houston asbestos lawyer?

The good news is that it costs nothing up front to hire our lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law for your asbestos case. We offer free consultations, and there are no fees to you unless and until we win a settlement for you.

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we are available to answer your questions as they arise and will be there to do so throughout the entire legal process.

Get Help from Our Asbestos Attorneys in Houston

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, it’s important to know your legal compensation rights and avenues. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we will help determine whether you have a valid claim for asbestos injury, conduct thorough research, hire the right experts to build the strongest possible case to win you the money you need to rebuild your life — whether through negotiations or courtroom trial. We believe our job is to get justice for our clients — and we take it seriously. We combine a deep knowledge of the law, years of experience in negotiation and litigation, a compassionate approach to our clients, and the tenacity to go up against large corporations — and win.

Choosing an asbestos injury lawyer from Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law may be one of the most important decisions you make. We look forward to hearing from you. To schedule your free initial consultation, give us a call today at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.