We are lucky to live in the greatest city in the world. However, it does have its negatives. Living in such a heavily populated area means our air is not always top quality. That problems gets even worse for far too many New Yorkers who work in certain jobs. A lot of people don’t think twice about the health and safety of their lungs until they face a condition that impacts their lungs and thus, their ability to breathe and survive.
Lung cancer is the most commonly known disease that could plague our lungs, but there are other lung diseases than can be serious and perhaps even fatal. These include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fibrosis and asthma. In addition to the well-known health dangers, in some cases, these diseases can be career-ending.
Construction workers, of course, consistently face unsafe situations and hazardous conditions. The most common problems that construction workers may encounter are asbestos-related diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer and silicosis. Mesothelioma, the most common asbestos-related disease, is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lining surrounding the lower digestive tract (peritoneum). It is almost exclusively related to asbestos exposure and, by the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal.
Workers always and consistently need to protect themselves on the job. However, employers have a responsibility to provide proper equipment, ventilation and safety training for their workers. They are also responsible for taking all reasonable precautions to protect their health and safety.
Anyone who develops an illness that they believe may be job related should see a doctor, speak with an attorney and seek workers’ compensation. If you believe that your employer did not do enough to help prevent the dangers to your health, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a construction site accident or suffer from a disease due to work at a construction site, please call the lawyers at the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny today for a free consultation to speak about your options and next steps. Our firm has over a century of cumulative experience in analyzing, processing, and prosecuting these types of cases. Our $100 million in settlements and verdicts proves our expertise and success rate when it comes to construction accidents. Call our office today to speak to experienced and compassionate attorneys who are here to work for you and on your behalf to make sure you get the best results from your construction accident case.
