Greensboro NC Asbestosis Attorneys
Welcome to Hardison & Associates, LLP’s Greensboro Asbestosis
Lawyers website. Our attorneys developed this site to
provide asbestosis victims and their families with
information on the disease, treatment and the law. The
Hardison & Associates firm has been representing personal
injury victims throughout North Carolina for over twenty
years, and we focus on helping those who have suffered
physical, emotional and mental trauma due to
asbestos-related diseases, medical malpractice,
catastrophic accidents, wrongful death, and premises
liability.
The founders of the firm, Kenneth L. Hardison and
Associates, are supported by a team of legal
professionals who share a commitment to protecting
client’s rights. Our lawyers have successfully
litigated and negotiated settlements that provide our
clients with compensation for medical costs, loss of
current and potential earnings, and pain and suffering.
We share our asbestosis client’s indignation over the
fact that the disease was preventable, yet the risks
were ignored.
Many of our clients have found some relief in the form
of financial compensation that helps them to live with
the disease. If you or a loved one have been exposed to
asbestos and are suffering from asbestos-related
illness, Hardison & Associates can help you receive the
compensation to which you are entitled.
What is asbestos and why is it dangerous?
Asbestos
is a naturally occurring mineral that forms microscopic
fibers when crushed. Its strength, flexibility and
imperviousness to temperature made asbestos a favorite
product in industry and manufacturing. However, when
asbestos fibers are disturbed, they become airborne as
dust and can be inhaled or swallowed. Once the fibers
enter a victim’s body, they can cause serious and deadly
illnesses including cancer. The fibers are so buoyant,
that they can become attached to workers’ clothing and
be brought home only to become airborne again in the
worker’s home for other members of the family to
inhale. Incredibly, industry was aware of the risks
associated with asbestos for decades prior to its ban in
the 1970’s.
In their pursuit of profitability, manufacturers’
continued to allow their employees to be exposed to
asbestos without advising workers of its deadly risks.
Up until its ban, millions of tons of asbestos were used
to build homes, schools, shipyards and commercial
facilities nationwide. In the past forty years, an
estimated 25 million people have been exposed to
asbestos. Because the negative health effects of
asbestos may take years to develop, the medical
community expects to see many more victims of
asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestosis is a noncancerous illness caused by asbestos
exposure. The disease occurs when the fibers get lodged
in the victim’s lungs, the body tries to protect itself
against the fibers which results in the development of
scar tissue. In turn, the scar tissue diminishes the
lung’s capacity for oxygen. Asbestosis is a progressive
disease, and as the lungs’ capacity decreases, victims
suffer shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, chest
pain, weight-loss and heart problems. Asbestosis
victims may be symptom free and the disease is detected
by x-rays.
Those
at highest-risk for asbestosis are individuals who
inhaled particles over a prolonged period of time.
Serious asbestosis is usually caused by heavy exposure
to asbestos, such as sustained exposure over a period of
years and/or intense exposure during a shorter period.
Others at-risk include workers who
mill the ore, the vehicle
mechanics, construction workers, electricians and other
workers in the building trades, shipyard workers,
asbestos spraying, building, demolition, and laundering
of asbestos worker's overalls.
Treatment and Cure
There
is currently is no cure for asbestosis, however, the
symptoms of the disease can be managed. Treatments for
the disease involve preventing further complications of
the disease and treating its symptoms. Bronchodilators
that open up the bronchial tubes and allow passage of
air are used to ease shortness of breath. The patient
may also receive supplemental oxygen. Respiratory
treatments that remove secretions from the lungs may
also be used. Coughing is treated with humidifiers,
breathing therapies and chest percussion to loosen and
thin bronchial.
If you or a loved one has
been injured by a defective product, please contact our
offices today by telephoning 800-434-8082 or
via
e-mail. We can review your case and determine the
course of action that will assure that you are
compensated for the damages that you have suffered. |
