Mesothelioma in Carpenters

Mesothelioma and Carpenters Explained

Before the dangers of asbestos were fully understood, asbestos was used in insulation, heat-protection, and fireproofing materials. It was included in cement, bricks, flooring, roofing, and just about everything used in construction.

As carpenters regularly worked on construction sites, they were often exposed to asbestos fibers in dozens of building materials without even realizing it.

Carpentry work that can put workers' lives at risk include:

Commercial construction (schools, offices, and shops)
Residential construction (houses and apartments)
Industrial construction (major warehouses, facilities, and worksites)

Did you know?

Jobs as simple as hammering a nail into a wall containing asbestos could release fibers into the air that could then be inhaled or ingested.

Asbestos fibers can become embedded in the linings of the lungs, abdomen, and heart, causing mesothelioma tumors to grow. Mesothelioma can take 10-50 years to fully develop. Many carpenters will not know that they have been exposed to the harmful fibers for years, if not decades.

If you're a carpenter who has developed mesothelioma, it's important to know that several medical procedures can relieve your mesothelioma symptoms and prolong your life. These procedures can be expensive, but you may be able to file a lawsuit against the companies that hid the dangers of asbestos.

Patients may start receiving compensation from lawsuits in as few as 90 days to help pay for treatments that can potentially lead to a longer life. Get started right now by finding a top mesothelioma lawyer who can help.

History of Asbestos Exposure in Carpenters

Many workers in the construction industry from the 1940s onward have come into contact with asbestos. The material was used as an inexpensive insulating component in the walls of buildings. It was often used in structures built between 1940 and 1980, but even carpenters today are at risk.

Renovating older houses threatens to disturb dormant asbestos. The toxic fibers can disperse and put workers at risk. The use of power tools on wallboards or tiles can be particularly dangerous, as power saws and drills can cause a lot of dust and release asbestos particles into the air.

Other products that may have caused asbestos exposure in carpenters include:

Ceiling tiles
Caulking
Fire doors
Insulations around boilers, etc.
Joint compounds
Laminates
Plaster
Roof sheets
Sprayed-on fireproofing
Wallboards

It wasn't until the 1980s that the real dangers of asbestos were discovered. Carpenters taking part in renovations nowadays must first request an inspection from qualified asbestos professionals to determine whether the area is safe or if breathing equipment is required.

Highest Risk Jobs for Asbestos Exposure in Carpenters

There are many ways carpenters could have come into contact with asbestos during work. Even if they weren’t working on a particular section of a building that contained asbestos, their proximity to other tradesmen on site also could have led to exposure.

Did you know?

Asbestos fibers from elsewhere in the building could have become airborne, putting carpenters and other tradesmen in the area at significant risk of developing mesothelioma later in life.

Carpenters were not usually provided with face masks or breathing devices while working on large building sites — primarily because they weren’t considered necessary at the time.

Airborne asbestos dust is a continued risk for carpenters today when working in older buildings. It's recommended that an asbestos professional inspect the site before work begins to protect workers. In some states, this is mandatory.

There are also new health and safety regulations around breathing apparatuses, face masks, and overalls to protect carpenters from inhaling toxic fibers.

Veteran Carpenters and Mesothelioma

The use of asbestos in the U.S. coincided with our entry into World War II and the boom that followed. Many veterans who served during and after the 1940s worked as carpenters or builders while serving in the military.

In the post-war era, the boom in construction was also a boom in asbestos use, and many veterans were potentially exposed to asbestos in construction and carpentry-related professions.

If you served in the U.S. military, you earned VA benefits. These benefits can make a huge difference for veterans suffering from mesothelioma.

Our Free Veterans Packet can explain the benefits and help that may be available to you.

Carpenters and Asbestos Lawsuits

Workers who contract mesothelioma may be able to pursue compensation for personal injury.

Mesothelioma laws differ in each state, but patients usually have between 1-3 years from the date of diagnosis to file for personal injury. Family members also usually have between 1-3 years to file a lawsuit for wrongful death. Compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit can help support the family and pay for medical costs.

To get the quickest results and maximum compensation, mesothelioma patients may choose to work with a lawyer who has experience in this complex legal field.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you find out if you're eligible to file a lawsuit and put you in touch with some of the best mesothelioma law firms in the country.

Call (877) 450-8973 now or fill out our contact form to see how we may be able to help.

FAQs About Mesothelioma and Carpenters

Are carpenters exposed to asbestos?

Yes. Carpenters may be exposed to asbestos when working with certain materials, like joint compounds and insulation.

These workers are at a higher risk of exposure when working on older buildings, as many companies used asbestos in their construction materials until the 1980s.

Does everyone exposed to asbestos contract mesothelioma?

No, you may not develop mesothelioma following asbestos exposure. You could develop another disease, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and more.

While some people exposed to asbestos never get sick, you're at a higher risk of an illness if you worked with or around asbestos-containing materials for years or decades.

U.S. veterans are at a very high risk of mesothelioma since every military branch relied on asbestos from the 1930s to the early 1980s.

Get a Free Veterans Packet now for help accessing VA benefits, treatments, and compensation if you have mesothelioma.

Can you sue for working around asbetos?

Possibly. To sue the companies that exposed you to asbestos, you must have been harmed by the exposure.

In terms of a lawsuit, the exposure itself isn't enough for you to sue. It is enough, however, if you've been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer. The illness is a type of "harm" recognized by courts that gives you grounds to sue.

What occupations are at risk for mesothelioma?

Among the most at-risk occupations for mesothelioma are:

Construction Workers
Factory Workers
Firefighters
Roofers
Shipbuilders
Roofers
Textile Mill Workers

If you or a loved on has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact us now to see if we can help you get compensation for your illness.