Being diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, can be devastating. Both conditions are life-threatening, and people who survive may continue to feel effects for the rest of their lives.
If you became ill after being exposed to an unsafe substance, such as asbestos or carbon monoxide, due to the actions or negligence of another individual or a company, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. A Los Angeles cancer lawyer may be able to help you by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for your illness. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800)794-0444 to learn about how we may be able to assist you.
What Is Asbestos and Why Is It Dangerous?
Asbestos includes a group of minerals that are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals and that are poor conductors of electricity. Exposure to it can cause mesothelioma, a form of cancer that can affect the linings of the lungs.
Mesothelioma is rare, but it is usually caused by asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can also cause lung, larynx, and ovarian cancer, and it may increase the risk of developing some other forms of cancer.
Who Is at Risk?
Construction workers, firefighters, mechanics, and shipbuilders are some of the groups who are most likely to be exposed to asbestos on the job.
People who work around asbestos sometimes unintentionally and unknowingly expose their family members to the carcinogen. Asbestos fibers can easily be carried home on a person’s body and clothing, and other members of the household can be put in danger.
The risk of health problems is greatest in individuals who were exposed to high levels of asbestos or who were exposed to it over a long period of time, but people who were only exposed briefly can also become ill. Some patients with an asbestos-related illness begin to display symptoms decades after their exposure.
A person’s risk of becoming ill depends on the type of asbestos, the amount and duration of exposure, the source, a person’s genetics, and other risk factors, such as lung disease and smoking. A person who smokes and who is exposed to asbestos has an increased risk of developing lung cancer, but smoking does not seem to increase the risk of developing mesothelioma after asbestos exposure.
Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates exposure to asbestos in workplaces. It requires employers to provide personal protective equipment to keep workers safe. If you were exposed to asbestos at work and your employer did not provide equipment to protect you, a Los Angeles cancer lawyer may be able to help you seek compensation for your injuries. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800)794-0444 to discuss your case.
What Are the Risks Associated with Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is released when fuel and other carbon-based materials are burned. A person may be exposed to unsafe carbon monoxide levels if heating equipment, a stove, or a water heater is not properly vented. If a fireplace is used while the chimney is clogged, or if a vehicle is left running inside a garage, that can cause an unsafe buildup of carbon monoxide inside a building.
Although carbon monoxide has not been classified as a human carcinogen, it can cause other health problems. Inhaling carbon monoxide can cause a headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, confusion, blurred vision, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness.
Carbon monoxide can replace oxygen in red blood cells, which can prevent organs and tissues from receiving oxygen. That can cause heart damage, permanent brain damage, miscarriage, and death. People who are exposed to moderate and high carbon monoxide levels over a long period of time may have a higher-than-average risk of developing heart disease, according to Medicine.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The amount of carbon monoxide emitted by an appliance or an engine is typically safe. A problem can arise if an appliance or vehicle is used in a poorly ventilated area and carbon monoxide accumulates to a dangerous level. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by properly ventilating areas where fuel-burning appliances and vehicles are used, and carbon monoxide detectors can alert people to unsafe levels of the gas.
For a free legal consultation with a Cancer Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Employers’ Duty To Provide a Safe Work Environment
Asbestos and carbon monoxide can cause a wide range of serious health problems. Employers have a responsibility to protect their workers if they may be exposed to asbestos on the job. A business may be found liable if an employee develops cancer or if a person becomes ill after using a product the company sold that contained asbestos.
Businesses have a duty to inspect and maintain their furnaces and other appliances to prevent unsafe carbon monoxide levels that could endanger the lives of their workers and customers. Installing carbon monoxide detectors can let people know if they are in danger so they can evacuate the building.
A company that fails to take these steps may be found liable if someone develops cancer or another type of medical issue due to exposure to asbestos or carbon monoxide. If you became ill after exposure to one of those substances, a Los Angeles cancer lawyer may be able to pursue a financial award on your behalf.
Los Angeles Cancer Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Consider Taking Legal Action
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can investigate to find out who was liable for your illness and to seek justice.
According to California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years. Since personal injury cases are often complex, the sooner you contact us, the better. Call our office today at (800)794-0444.
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