Auto Mechanic Mesothelioma Claims

Asbestos is a mineral that was used in many products, including brakes and clutches.

As a result, mechanics were exposed to asbestos-containing materials, machinery, equipment, and products that put employees and anyone else nearby at risk for serious illnesses such as mesothelioma.

Did your doctor diagnose you with mesothelioma likely due to asbestos exposure? Are you seeking financial compensation paid by your negligent employer?

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our personal injury attorneys are legal advocates for individuals who developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or other diseases due to asbestos exposure.

Call a Chicago mesothelioma attorney today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today to schedule a free case evaluation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Asbestos Exposure Lung Cancer & Mesothelioma

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), asbestos exposure can lead to serious and sometimes deadly diseases, including:

• Mesothelioma of the lung
• Larynx and ovaries
• Asbestosis (fibrosis of the lungs)
• Carcinoma of the lung
• Stomach and large intestine

In general, exposure occurs through inhalation or ingestion of fibers from asbestos-containing materials.

Call (888) 424-5757 for Our Auto Mechanic Mesothelioma Claims Lawyer

We are here to help you. Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys will review your asbestos-related disease case during a no-cost consultation and can provide expert legal representation if you would like to pursue compensation by filing an asbestos lawsuit against negligent companies.

Asbestos Exposure in the Automotive Industries

Asbestos was used in many products in the automotive and aircraft industries. Components such as brakes, clutches, and heat shields contained the mineral. As a result, mechanics are at high risk of occupational asbestos exposure.

Auto mechanics are at particular risk of direct occupational exposure to asbestos. However, anyone who worked in or around these industries could have been exposed. The process of manufacturing brakes and other related automotive products required workers to handle raw fiberglass insulation batts coated with or containing asbestos.

Occupational asbestos exposure can lead to serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma.

Asbestos exposure also occurred during the installation of these products. Mechanics were exposed to materials that contained loose asbestos fibers, for example, brake pads and linings that had broken down over time.

They inhaled these particles into their lungs, which caused mesothelioma years later after millions of tiny pieces of asbestos embedded themselves in the body’s tissue.

In some cases, these microscopic particles cause asbestos-related diseases such as pleural plaques and pleural thickening.

In addition to asbestos-containing products, auto mechanics worked with asbestos rope sealants during refueling, particularly between the 1950s and 1970s. They handled used gaskets that had gotten wet with gasoline and oil, containing asbestos fibers.

A Heightened Risk

Auto mechanics are at risk for asbestos exposure because they often work with brakes, clutches, and other parts that contain asbestos when repaired or replaced.

When these parts break or wear out, they release tiny particles into the air where workers can inhale them; asbestos fibers are introduced into the body.

Auto mechanics also have an increased risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma because they can bring these fibers back home on their work clothes and shoes, exposing family members to high levels of asbestos dust.

Other Occupations at Risk for Asbestos Exposure

Auto mechanics are not the only workers who put themselves at risk of asbestos exposure in the automotive industry.

People working as cashiers or lab technicians may have been exposed to asbestos-containing products as well. Everyone who worked around or with these asbestos-containing products faced some level of exposure.

Everyone working around or near asbestos-containing materials, machinery, equipment, and products could have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers.

It means anyone who worked in the following industries may be at risk for developing mesothelioma as a result of direct occupational exposure:

• Asbestos mining and processing
• Asbestos product manufacturing
• Auto parts manufacturing
• Production of asbestos materials and parts, including brake pads, clutch facings, and heat shields
• Papermill workers, factory workers, plumbers, electricians, machinists, and miners
• Truck mechanic
• Airline mechanics, aircraft maintenance personnel, and flight crews
• Industrial machinery manufacturers designed machines with asbestos switches or insulation on electrical components.
• Construction workers involved in the construction of roads, buildings, and homes
• S. Navy veterans who served in the 1950s to 1980s are at an increased risk for asbestos exposure
• Steel mill workers, power plant workers, shipyard workers, and oil refinery workers

Industrial workers in all occupations may have been exposed to asbestos fibers through workplace air, so any worker could be at risk of developing cancer later on in life.

Anyone who worked in one of the following settings should consult a doctor to learn more about their asbestos exposure risk:

• Mining
• Manufacturing
• Oil refineries
• Construction
• Transportation, including railroad workers and shipyard employees
• Plumbing installation or repair companies
• Asbestos product distributorship

Government agencies that managed contaminated sites after using asbestos were banned in certain products, such as brakes and clutches.

Diagnosed With Mesothelioma? Auto Mechanic Mesothelioma Claims

Many mechanics diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos exposure lung cancer are filing auto mechanic mesothelioma claims to seek restitution for their injuries.

Unfortunately, many mechanics may face financial difficulties because of the high cost of mesothelioma cancer treatment and their inability to work during and after treatment.

Asbestos exposure is no longer a problem in the automotive repair industry, but that doesn’t mean mechanics are immune to asbestos-related diseases. Auto mechanics should be aware of their risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses so they can seek regular checkups with their doctors.

Asbestos exposure in mechanics can lead to mesothelioma cancer years later. Still, the risk of developing the disease is not high for most people who worked around asbestos-containing parts or materials in the past.

Nevertheless, mechanics should consult their doctor regularly to ensure they are healthy and not at risk of developing illnesses related to asbestos exposure.

Anyone who worked as an auto mechanic and was diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer or mesothelioma can file a claim with our lawyers.

Asbestos Litigation: Asbestos Exposure Lung Cancer Financial Compensation

Auto mechanics exposed to asbestos or surviving family members must prove their case using evidence and medical records to receive financial compensation. To do that, the plaintiffs (injured parties) or their experienced lawyers must show that they developed an asbestos-related illness after working around asbestos products in an auto mechanics work environment.

It is often easier said than done, but our highly experienced lawyers will help you build a case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Asbestos Litigation: Auto Mechanic Mesothelioma Claims

The legal process can be complicated to understand. Still, our experienced attorneys will walk you through each step of the process and make sure you receive compensation as soon as possible.

It would help if you didn’t have to face bankruptcy or a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis alone. Our lawyers are here for you now and can help your family fight for the financial compensation you deserve today.

Call our offices today or fill out the online form to schedule a free consultation and learn how to help you.

Mesothelioma Lung Cancer: What Car Mechanics Need to Know

Mesothelioma lung cancer in car mechanics is a deadly and aggressive disease that affects thousands of men and women each year. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral that was used in many materials and products for decades before it was linked to cancer and the development of other serious respiratory illnesses.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that at least 3 out of every five mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in people exposed to asbestos at work. Most of these people worked as car mechanics due to their routine interaction with asbestos-containing parts, such as brakes and clutches.

A study conducted by Dr. David Sugarbaker at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found that asbestos exposure accounts for nearly 20 percent of all mesothelioma diagnosis. In addition, it makes it one of the most common occupational diseases among auto mechanics today.

The legal process can be complicated to understand. Still, our experienced attorneys will walk you through each step of the process and make sure you receive compensation as soon as possible.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Numerous federal agencies have forced asbestos companies to set aside funds to resolve asbestos litigation to ensure that victims and surviving family members receive mesothelioma compensation for their damages.

These asbestos trust funds and asbestos bankruptcy funds have been available to companies since the 1980s. They have been used to pay out money to workers diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.

Unfortunately, most of these trust funds have already been depleted through settlements, bankruptcies, and other corporate efforts to avoid accountability for their negligence.

These corporations failed to warn their employees that inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers can lead to cancer, lung disease, and other serious illnesses.

As a result, the trust funds were emptied when these workers became ill and needed mesothelioma compensation for their medical bills and lost wages.

What Is Malignant Mesothelioma?

According to the National Institute of Health and American Cancer Society, malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers and dust.

Malignant mesothelioma affects the lining of the chest and abdomen. This type of cancer begins in the cells that line the chest or abdomen called mesothelial cells, which comprise a thin layer of tissue known as the mesothelium.

The mesothelium also protects internal organs. Conversely, malignant tumors form when mesothelial cells become cancerous and multiply rapidly.

When it occurs, malignant mesothelioma is considered rare and extremely serious. Over time, tumors can grow and release fluid into the chest cavity or abdomen.

Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath, coughing, sudden weight loss, chest pain, swelling in the abdomen, and fever.

Diagnosing and Treating Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma cancer is difficult to treat because it has often grown to other parts of the body by the time it’s diagnosed. The median survival rate for people diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma is only about one year.

During the early stages of mesothelioma, there are no symptoms. However, once symptoms do appear, they may resemble those of less severe conditions. As a result, many people don’t know they have malignant mesothelioma until the disease has advanced to Stage 3 or 4.

When diagnosed with advanced mesothelioma, some people live only a few months while others live for years. However, none of these options are very encouraging.

Mesothelioma specialists will diagnose asbestos-related diseases through various methods, including:

• Blood tests
• Biopsies
• Imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs

Once diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma cancer, you should discuss your options with your doctor.

The diagnostician will likely recommend one of three types of treatment:

• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy
• Radiation therapy alone to minimize side effects

Because there is no cure for mesothelioma, doctors may use a combination of surgical and radiation treatments to extend a patient’s life.

The Prognosis and Life Expectancy of a Mesothelioma Patient

Medical science has yet to find a cure for mesothelioma. The average life expectancy following diagnosis is just under one year.

While the median age of death due to mesothelioma is around 70 years, most patients are diagnosed between the ages 50-70, when they would have been exposed to asbestos fibers and dust.

• The prognosis for those with malignant mesothelioma varies. Some patients live for several months while others live for years.
• Patients diagnosed with advanced mesothelioma spread to other parts of the body have a median survival rate of 2-4 months.
• The prognosis for patients with early-stage mesothelioma is better. Those diagnosed in Stage 1 or 2 have a median survival rate of 17 months.

Mesothelioma Compensation

Auto mechanics are no longer at risk for asbestos exposure, but this used to be a common occupational hazard. Auto mechanics worked with parts that contained asbestos fibers and breathed in asbestos dust while installing the parts themselves.

Nowadays, auto mechanics replace many of these parts with non-asbestos alternatives, so the risk of exposure is minimal.

Asbestos is no longer used as an ingredient in auto parts. However, many asbestos companies have been found negligent for not being aware of the risks associated with asbestos exposure because they failed to provide adequate safety warnings.

This failure to warn mechanic shop employees about the dangers of asbestos has led many auto mechanics and other repair professionals to develop a condition called malignant mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure during their job.

Asbestos companies have been held liable for the injuries that they caused, including negligent behavior, product liability, and failure to warn.

As a result, many asbestos companies have set up trust funds for those exposed to asbestos to receive compensation for their illness and suffering.

When you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation from the business that exposed you to asbestos. To learn more about filing a mesothelioma claim, contact our legal team!

Compensation for Victims of Occupational Asbestos Exposure including Auto Mechanics

Our law firm has represented many auto mechanics working in repair shops and diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos disease automotive parts retail stores. Many of these victims worked with automotive brake components, foreign auto parts, or other asbestos products recently or years ago.

Research shows that exposure to chrysotile asbestos dust and fibers released during clutch repair, auto parts replacement, or asbestos brake dust are among the high-risk workgroups. These groups include brake mechanics, auto repair technicians, and auto part manufacturing plants.

Asbestos is used in many products because of its heat-resistant properties. In the auto/truck industry, these asbestos parts are typically the hazardous source mesothelioma victims are exposed to during their work hours.

Auto mechanic mesothelioma claims are filed internationally by mechanics exposed to asbestos while working on brakes and clutches. They did not know that just a trace of asbestos could lead to deadly diseases years later.

Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm to Resolve Your Auto Mechanic Mesothelioma Claim

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, our personal injury attorneys represent victims filing auto mechanic mesothelioma claims to ensure they receive maximum compensation for their damages.

In addition, our experienced lawyers represent surviving family members who lost a loved one after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness.

Call our law firm at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or use the contact form today to schedule a free case consultation.

We accept all personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This promise ensures you pay nothing until we resolve your case through a jury trial verdict or negotiated settlement.

Auto Mechanic Mesothelioma Claims Resources:

• NIH – Malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure among auto mechanics: an appraisal of scientific evidence
• NIH – Lung cancer and mesothelioma among male automobile mechanics