Asbestos was once commonly used as a wiring insulator as well as in arc chutes/phase barriers found in switchgear. It was also extensively used in materials in the walls and ceilings and tight spaces where electricians work. Current and former electricians and electrical engineers are high-risk candidates for asbestos disease from exposure to asbestos on the job.
Although asbestos has been discontinued in wiring and construction materials, electrical trade workers are still at risk in renovations of older structures. They are subject to exposure when performing maintenance or remodeling work in older buildings that are contaminated with asbestos.
Up until the late 1980s, asbestos was routinely used in electrical wiring for its insulation and fireproofing qualities. Electricians also encountered asbestos when they cut through walls or handled ceiling tiles. Dozens of known asbestos-containing products could have exposed electrical trade workers.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber. Asbestos exposures as short in duration as only a few days have caused mesothelioma in humans. Every occupational exposure to asbestos can cause injury or disease. Every occupational exposure to asbestos contributes to the risk of getting an asbestos-related disease.
If proper protective measures are not taken to prevent inhalation and ingestion of asbestos fibers, electricians may continue to be at risk of exposure to allowed uses of asbestos.
If you or a family member is battling an asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible to recover compensation for pain, distress, loss of wages, and medical expenses. It is wise to contact an experienced asbestos-related illnesses attorney who can review your case and recommend the best steps to take.
Many states have a statute of limitations that begins on the date you were diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease or your family member died, so it is imperative that you contact an attorney as soon as possible. A knowledgeable lawyer could explain electrician asbestos exposure lawsuits and help you determine your eligibility for compensation.
