Mesothelioma Information Washington DC Blog | Parker, Dumler and Kiely LLP

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was mined for use in a variety of products during the twentieth century. Due to its strong insulation qualities, it was widely used for decades in products that required temperature transfer resistance or heat containment, especially home and construction products.

In 1980, the federal government banned the use of asbestos-containing products due to evidence that these products led to an increased risk of mesothelioma and other rare forms of cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, any product containing 1% or more asbestos is considered to be an asbestos-containing product.

The peak years for asbestos usage in products were 1950-1975. Its fibers mirrored cotton and wool in softness, yet it is significantly more flame and acid resistant than these other materials. As a result, asbestos was frequently used in fireproof garments. Many gas masks also contained asbestos.

Its temperature and heat resistant properties made asbestos a common material used in insulation for:

• Pipes
• Boilers
• Electrical products

Many vehicles used asbestos in brake linings and clutch pads. The construction and shipping industries also relied heavily on asbestos for products such as:

• Cement pipes
• Packing
• Jointing
• Gaskets
• Floor and ceiling tiles
• Paneling
• Roofing shingles
• Asphalt coats and sealant

If you have developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure at work, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. The experienced Maryland asbestos lawyers at Parker, Dumler & Kiely LLP have recovered millions of dollars in damages for asbestos and mesothelioma victims. We have the skills and resources to handle these complex personal injury claims.

If you have an asbestos or mesothelioma claim in the Baltimore, Maryland or Washington, D.C. area, please contact our Maryland asbestos lawyers today to schedule your initial consultation.

Asbestos has permeated just about every aspect of the construction industry. The toxic material was widely used throughout the middle part of the twentieth century during many phases of commercial and residential construction projects. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure has caused many construction workers to develop mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive form of cancer.

Mesothelioma has a long latency period and often takes between 20 and 50 years to develop after initial exposure to asbestos. As a result, many construction workers who came into contact with asbestos decades ago are now first developing the disease. Many of these people are senior citizens and most likely have not worked in the field for years.

When asbestos fibers are released into the air, people working in the vicinity will inevitably inhale the toxic substance, unless they are wearing protective gear. Unfortunately, for decades, construction companies did not provide their employees with the proper gear to prevent the damage caused by asbestos exposure. As a result, construction workers have been placed at a vastly above average risk of developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers will become lodged in your mesothelium, the membrane surrounding your internal organs and lining your body cavities. Over time they become malignant, resulting in mesothelioma. This rare form of cancer most commonly affects the chest wall lining and the lungs, although it can also affect the stomach or heart. Mesothelioma patients generally have less than two years to live once diagnosed.

If you have worked in the construction industry, it is crucial that you inform your doctor so that you can receive the proper testing for mesothelioma.

The Washington, D.C. asbestos personal injury lawyers at Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP have recovered millions of dollars for mesothelioma victims over the years. These claims are highly complex, and it is essential that you work with a law firm specializing in this area of personal injury law.

If you have a mesothelioma claim in the Baltimore, Maryland or Washington, D.C. area, please contact our Maryland mesothelioma lawyers today to schedule your initial consultation.

In recent years, asbestos litigation has become one of the most rapidly growing areas of personal injury law. There are currently more than 200,000 asbestos and mesothelioma claims pending in state and federal courts, and tens of thousands of new asbestos claims are filed every year. However, it took quite some time before asbestos litigation began to show results for injured victims.

The first asbestos claim was filed in 1966 by Claude Tomplait in Beaumont, Texas. There were eleven manufacturers of asbestos-containing products listed as defendants in the claim. In 1969, Tomplait's case went to trial, and it only took one week for the jury to return a verdict in favor of the defendants.

Later in 1969, one of Tomplait's co-workers filed a similar lawsuit after developing an asbestos-related disease. However, in this case, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the injured victim, awarding him approximately $80,000. This victory opened the door for other asbestos victims across the country to file claims seeking compensation for their injuries.

In 1974, Reba Rudkin won a precedent-setting asbestos lawsuit against his employer, the Johns-Manville manufacturing plant. Rudkin developed asbestosis after 29 years of employment at the plant. Normally, his damages would be covered by workers' compensation law. However, the courts ruled that Johns-Manville could be held liable on fraud and conspiracy charges after evidence was presented that the company had been suppressing knowledge of the dangers of asbestos from their employees since the 1930s.

In 1981, the California Supreme Court upheld the ruling allowing Johns-Manville employees to sue the company over asbestos-related injuries. Faced with a multitude of lawsuits, Johns-Manville filed bankruptcy in 1982. Many other asbestos companies would be forced into bankruptcy shortly afterward.

During the 1980s, several medical and scientific studies were released indicating that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions could be contracted by asbestos exposure at places where these materials were used for purposes such as insulation. This expanded the scope of asbestos litigation to include victims exposed to the substance while working in:

• Shipyards
• Refineries
• Railroads
• Power plants
• Construction jobs

Over the past 40 years, there have been more than 730,000 asbestos claims filed resulting in billions of dollars in damage awards. Due to the complex nature of these claims, it is important to work with a law firm that specializes in asbestos litigation to ensure the greatest likelihood of success for your claim.

The Baltimore asbestos lawyers at Parker, Dumler & Kiely have represented many indiduals who have developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases at their worksite. We have the skills, resources, and experience needed to hold the negligent parties accountable for your injuries. Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements for asbestos victims.

If you have an asbestos claim in the Baltimore, Maryland or Washington, D.C. area, please contact our Baltimore asbestos lawyers today to schedule your initial consultation.