Asbestos laws refer to the statutes established by state and federal governments to regulate occupational or household asbestos exposure. Asbestos laws also allow those who are injured because of asbestos exposure to seek compensation for their losses and suffering.

The government enacts asbestos laws to provide protection to people who have suffered from the harmful consequences of asbestos exposure. Dangerous levels of exposure can lead to asbestosis -a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs from inhaling asbestos fibers that impede lung functioning and can lead to death or disability-and mesothelioma , a severe and deadly cancer that is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Once diagnosed, the survival time for mesothelioma victims is extremely short; on average, a patient may only have one year to live. People who were exposed to asbestos as far back as the 1940s are still susceptible to developing deadly diseases.

Asbestos Laws in the Workplace

The Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) enforces asbestos laws that protect workers. Asbestos laws define permissible exposure levels for asbestos in the workplace: 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter for an eight-hour work period and one fiber per cubic centimeter in any given thirty minute time period. Employers are also required to conduct frequent exposure monitoring and create regulated work areas. Under asbestos laws, employers must also provide their employees with protective respiratory and clothing equipment, adequate hygiene facilities, training on how to safely work with asbestos, and routine health exams.

The FAIR Act

Asbestos laws are currently the topic of debate in the United States Congress. For the last several years, Congress has been considering an asbestos bill called the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act (the FAIR Act). If passed, a $140 billion dollar industry financed trust fund would be created to assist victims of asbestos-related ailments. However, the FAIR Act would prevent you and your loved ones from filing an asbestos lawsuit against the manufacturers of asbestos products . Please click here to learn more about the FAIR Act.

Your Legal Right to seek compensation for your losses

Under state and federal civil statutes, asbestos laws also allow victims of asbestos-related injuries to seek compensation for damages suffered. Victims may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income capacity, loss of companionship, reduced lifespan, pain and suffering, and more . In cases where a victim has died because of asbestos related disease, asbestos laws permit the victim's family to recover damages related to the asbestos illness.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury or illness because of asbestos exposure, it is wise to seek the early assistance of a qualified attorney who is familiar with asbestos laws. Please contact us today to speak to an experienced attorney FREE of charge.

Related Asbestos Law News

March 3, 2008 - DEQ Files Suit Over Project in Wyoming 

Dec 19, 2007 - Jail Construction on Hold Due to Asbestos 

Sept 10, 2007 - State Cites Company for Asbestos Exposure