No one can dispute how difficult it can be to work in a shipyard. This is especially true if your job duties include loading and unloading cargo. While you do not mind working hard, you expect your place of employment to be free from unreasonable health hazards. Regrettably, that may not be the case.
Because of its insulating and fire-retardant properties, asbestos is common in shipyards around the country. While some shipyards have gone through extensive remediation, you may work with or near asbestos without having any knowledge of the health risk.
The dangers of asbestos
Because asbestos is commonplace in shipyards, shipyard workers often suffer ill health effects from asbestos exposure. Specifically, you may be at increased risk of developing one or more of the following asbestos-related illnesses:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
The difficulty of treating asbestos-related disorders
Asbestos has tiny fibers that are easy to inhale. These carcinogenic fibers may imbed themselves in small passages inside your airways. Because doctors have few options for removing fibers, they often must treat the associated medical condition. Depending on the disease, treatment options may range from breathing treatments to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
The possibility of delayed symptoms
Regrettably, the negative health effects that often accompany asbestos exposure do not always show up immediately. In fact, you may not realize you have developed a life-altering illness until years or decades after your exposure. Furthermore, it may be possible for your family members to develop serious illnesses from second-hand contact with asbestos.
Ultimately, if you or someone you love has developed a catastrophic illness due to asbestos exposure in a shipyard, you may be eligible for substantial financial compensation to help you cover the costs of treating the condition or living with it.
