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The latest statistics show that between 1980 and 2000, over 8,000 men and over 1,000 women died from Mesothelioma. If someone in your family has been affected by this grave disease, you may be legally entitled to financial compensation to help cover your losses.
Plumbers have historically been one of the most highly exposed occupations to asbestos products. With this high exposure rate comes the unfortunate reality that plumbers are also commonly stricken with asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. A wide array of plumbing related products contained asbestos for a better part of the 20th century including piping insulation, cement, and gaskets. Asbestos was a cheap and available product that provided much needed characteristics such as heat resistance and insulation.
A number of plumbing products contained asbestos in the 20th century including pipe fittings, coatings, and insulation. Plumbing insulation containing asbestos was extremely popular beginning in the early 20th century and lasting until the early 1980s. In fact, there are still boilers and tanks throughout the world that contain asbestos insulation. Asbestos was used in the manufacture of plumbing insulation, as it was an effective insulator and would help prevent loss of energy and injuries to workers. Although asbestos piping insulation is no longer produced, these products still pose a threat to plumbers. A number of older buildings still contain legacy products including insulation that could potentially contain asbestos. Plumbers working on these products are still at risk and must exercise the highest level of caution.
Currently there are over 400,000 plumbers employed in the United States; 9,000 of which are in New Jersey alone. New Jersey was at the heart of the construction boom of the last ten years. With the large increase in construction came the significant number of renovation jobs that included repair work or modifications to existing pipes and insulation that may have contained asbestos. When this work was performed to the existing pipe, asbestos fibers could become disrupted and airborne. As a result, a considerable number of plumbers may have been exposed to the contaminant causing Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and other lung diseases.
Many plumbers find themselves working in confined spaces as well. This work environment increases the chance for asbestos exposure due to the fact that the fibers have no where to go. While the plumber is initially the one at risk, the asbestos fibers can also be transferred to unsuspecting family and friends. Asbestos fibers that become airborne when disturbed can inadvertently end up on the plumbers clothing and transported to family and friends causing them to also become exposed to the contaminant.
Patrick Bartels of the New Jersey based law firm, Keefe Bartels has been representing individuals exposed to asbestos for over 15 years. Mr. Bartels received a $2.1 million jury verdict for a worker that had been exposed to pipe insulation containing asbestos which was manufactured by Owens Corning Fiberglass. Some of his other verdicts and settlements can be found here. His legal work with plumbers in the state of New Jersey has allowed a number of families to be compensated for loved ones that have been exposed to asbestos and suffered from mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other lung cancer diseases. If you or someone you know has been exposed to a plumbing product containing asbestos, please immediately seek medical assistance and then contact an experienced New Jersey mesothelioma attorney to understand your legal rights.