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Secondary Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases usually occur in people who worked directly with asbestos in their occupations. However, a lesser-known form of asbestos exposure can also lead to these diseases: secondary asbestos exposure. This occurs when someone who works with asbestos carries home asbestos fibers and unknowingly exposes others to it.

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Daniel Wasserberg
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Mr. Wasserberg is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer. He is often a featured speaker at industry summits and gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar. He is recognized by both his peers and his adversaries and is considered one of the nation’s premier mesothelioma and negligence attorneys

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Latest Updated Date January 21, 2025
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At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, we’re very familiar with secondary asbestos exposure and the catastrophic consequences it can have on families. If you suspect your lung disease resulted from secondary exposure, an asbestos company may be liable for your damages. Our NYC asbestos lawyers are ready to investigate the source of your asbestos exposure and fight for fair compensation on your behalf.

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How Does Secondary Asbestos Exposure Occur?

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Asbestos fibers are microscopic and become airborne when disturbed. Before the dangers of asbestos became well-known around the late 1980s, workers often wore asbestos-contaminated work clothes when they returned home.

The asbestos on their clothing, shoes, hair, and skin would put their family members at risk of inhaling or ingesting harmful fibers. This could occur through any of the following:

  • Hugs and other physical contact: Children and spouses greeting their loved ones coming home from work may be exposed to asbestos fibers on their clothing.
  • Laundry: Doing laundry with contaminated clothes can release fibers into the air. Laundering contaminated clothing with other clothes can also transfer the fibers.
  • Vehicle contamination: Riding in a car with asbestos on clothes or sitting in a seat where asbestos fibers have accumulated can put passengers at risk. The enclosed space of a vehicle may also increase fiber concentration.
  • Ventilation systems: Asbestos fibers can travel through and accumulate in the ventilation system of an asbestos-exposed worker’s home.
  • Flooring: Asbestos fibers may fall to the ground and accumulate on the home’s floor. Playing on the floor, walking, vacuuming, or sweeping can release these fibers into the air.
  • Furniture: Asbestos fibers can accumulate on couches, beds, and other furniture when an exposed worker sits on them.

Who Is Most at Risk for Indirect Asbestos Exposure?

Anyone who lives with an asbestos-exposed worker is at risk of secondary asbestos exposure. Your loved one was more likely to have experienced asbestos exposure at work if they worked in a high-risk occupation. These are just a few examples of common occupations at risk of asbestos exposure:

  • Insulators
  • Construction workers
  • Roofers
  • Shipyard workers
  • Power plant workers
  • Auto mechanics
  • Firefighters
  • Tile workers
  • Plumbers
  • Miners
  • Millwrights

The highest risk of exposure occurred before the 1990s when asbestos regulations were minimal. However, secondary asbestos exposure in the home remains a risk to this day, as many older buildings and vehicles still contain asbestos materials.

A majority of secondary exposure cases occur in workers’ spouses and children. Other household members or frequent visitors, such as nannies, housekeepers, parents, or in-laws, may also be at risk.

Can I File a Claim for Indirect Exposure to Asbestos?

Secondary asbestos exposure claims are often more complex than cases involving direct exposure. However, you may be eligible to file a claim for secondary asbestos exposure if both of the following are true:

Legal Options

If you’re eligible to take legal action, you can sue for asbestos exposure against the responsible party. This is usually the company that manufactured the asbestos-containing products. It’s also possible in some cases to sue a loved one’s employer for secondary asbestos exposure.

You can seek compensation for any damages you suffered as a result of your secondary asbestos exposure, including:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering

Proving negligence is not necessary in cases against asbestos manufacturers. You’ll only need to prove that you developed an asbestos-related illness and can trace your exposure back to a specific product or company. We have extensive databases of asbestos exposure sites and can investigate your case to determine the source of your exposure.

In cases against employers, you’ll need to prove that the company knew about the risks of asbestos but failed to protect its workers and their families. Witness testimonies and employment records can serve as evidence in these cases.

Health Risks of Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Secondary asbestos exposure can cause the same diseases as direct exposure. These are usually lung diseases because asbestos fibers most commonly enter the body through inhalation. Asbestos fibers often remain in the lungs after inhalation and cause damage over time.

Lung Cancer

All types of asbestos have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. The risk is even higher in people exposed to asbestos who also smoke. Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, but the majority of cases aren’t a result of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the chest and abdomen. Most mesothelioma cases are caused by direct or indirect asbestos exposure. It often takes 30 years or more to develop mesothelioma after a person’s first exposure to asbestos.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by prolonged asbestos exposure. It occurs when asbestos fibers become trapped in the alveoli and scar the lung tissue. Asbestosis gets worse over time and has no cure. Its symptoms typically begin many years after initial asbestos exposure.

Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaques are thickened tissue in the lung’s lining. They’re usually asymptomatic and not cause for concern on their own. However, they can indicate past asbestos exposure and potentially put a person at risk for developing other related diseases.

What Are the Symptoms of Secondary Asbestos Exposure?

Secondary asbestos exposure usually only causes symptoms after disease development. Asbestos-related diseases often share similar symptoms. Get medical attention as soon as possible if you have any of the following symptoms and a history of indirect asbestos exposure:

  • Persistent cough
  • Chest pain
  • Chest tightness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hoarseness
  • Trouble breathing
  • Clubbed fingers
  • Appetite loss
  • Vomiting
  • Feeling like there’s a lump in your throat

How To Prevent Secondary Exposure

Secondary asbestos exposure is preventable with the right precautions. Workers should take the following measures to limit the amount of asbestos transferred to other people:

  • Wearing protective clothing and equipment, such as coveralls, gloves, and masks.
  • Removing work clothes before leaving the worksite.
  • Taking a thorough shower and washing hair before leaving the worksite.

Asbestos-related diseases can wreak havoc on a person’s quality of life. If you or someone you love has suffered harm from secondary asbestos exposure, the team at Meirowitz & Wasserberg is ready to fight for fair compensation. Contact us for a free consultation.

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