When most people go to work, they don’t expect that their occupation could be making them sick. Unfortunately, for workers all across Minnesota, their job is not just making them sick: it’s killing them.
This is the tragic reality of people exposed to asbestos on the job. Exposure to asbestos is linked to devastating diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis, neither of which has a cure. Knowing if you have been exposed to asbestos can be critical in helping you get the medical care you need as quickly as possible, so it is important to know whether you are at an increased risk of being exposed to asbestos.
As noted in this National Cancer Institute article, folks who work in the following industries are disproportionately exposed to materials containing asbestos.
- Plumbers
- Drywall removers
- HVAC repair and installation workers
- Automotive manufacturers and mechanics
- Firefighters
- Construction workers
- Demolition and cleanup crews
- Shipyard and railroad workers
- Members of the U.S. military
- Asbestos miners
- Insulation installers
If you work, or used to work, in these industries or capacities, there is a very real possibility that you may have been exposed to asbestos on the job. Further, your family members may have suffered second-hand exposure if you carried asbestos fibers back to your home, your car or on your clothing.
As upsetting as it is to learn that you have been exposed to asbestos, early detection of a resulting illnesses is crucial. Too many people learn too late that they have been exposed to asbestos and often only after they have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer. By that time, it could already be too advanced for treatment to be effective.
With this in mind, we urge readers who believe they have been exposed to asbestos on jobs like those mentioned above to seek medical treatment right away. It can also be critical to consult an attorney, as filing a legal claim could help you collect compensation you may greatly need and deserve.
