Mesothelioma Lawyer: Maryland

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Maryland and Mesothelioma: The “Old Line State” has an asbestos problem.

Background on Maryland

Maryland was one of the original thirteen colonies and was established as a state in 1788. The state played a significant role in the American Revolution and the Civil War. Maryland was a border state during the Civil War and was heavily affected by the conflict. The state has been known for its agricultural economy, especially tobacco, and later, the poultry industry.

Maryland is known for its picturesque landscapes, historical sites, and cultural attractions. 

The state is home to the historic city of Annapolis, the state capital, and the city of Baltimore which is known for its maritime heritage and rich cultural scene. Maryland is also home to many prestigious educational institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland.

Asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma are an ongoing concern for current and past Maryland residents.

While Maryland is known for its scenic beauty and rich history, it is also a state where asbestos exposure is a real risk. Asbestos was widely used in construction and other industries prior to the mid-1980s, and it can be found in many buildings and homes throughout the state. Another industry that has contributed to asbestos exposure in Maryland is the shipbuilding industry.

Asbestos was used to fireproof and strengthen ships.

Anyone who worked at or near Maryland shipyards or ships docked there before the mid-1980s was often exposed to asbestos.

Maryland has had a reputation for being a hub for shipbuilding dating back to the colonial era and asbestos was heavily used in the building process because of its heat-resistant properties. Asbestos was used in various aspects of this process, including insulation, fireproofing, and soundproofing, and as a result, many shipyard workers and veterans who served on ships built in Maryland have been exposed to asbestos.

Do You Qualify For Compensation?

Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

Once you inhale asbestos fibers, some never leave the body. Decades later, they can cause severe health problems like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Asbestos is dangerous because its fibers can easily become airborne and inhaled, which can lead to a range of serious health issues such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Unfortunately, the symptoms of these diseases can take decades to appear, making it difficult for individuals who were exposed to asbestos to know they have been affected.

In addition to the industries directly connected to asbestos, there is also a risk of secondhand exposure. This can occur when asbestos fibers are brought home on the clothing or hair of a worker, potentially exposing their family to the dangerous mineral. Secondhand exposure can also occur when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, releasing microscopic fibers into the air.

Maryland Asbestos Resources

Asbestos Abatement

In accordance with federal regulations, it’s the responsibility of the owner or operator of a facility to ensure compliance with the NESHAP asbestos rule before performing any renovations or demolitions that could cause the release of asbestos fibers. A list of Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) licensed asbestos consulting and testing firms can be found through the Maryland Department of the Environment.

If asbestos is found before a demolition or renovation begins, any abatement is heavily regulated because of the risk. Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation has a form that must be completed to notify the agency of any projected project.

Obtaining Contractor Assistance

The Maryland Department of the Environment’s Asbestos Abatement Program (AAP) provides funding and technical assistance to eligible applicants for the assessment, abatement, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. The program also provides guidance and technical assistance to property owners and managers, contractors, and other parties involved in asbestos abatement projects.

Maryland’s Occupational Safety and Health Office (MOSH)

Additionally, Maryland’s Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) office provides information and resources for employers and workers to help prevent asbestos exposure. More information on the program and how to apply can be found on the Maryland Department of the Environment website.

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In terms of death rate, Louisiana had 5.9 asbestos-related deaths per 100,000 population during the 1999-2017 period. (Higher than the national average death rate of 4.9.)

Asbestos in Maryland Industries

Asbestos was widely used in construction and other industries in Maryland prior to the late-1980s.

It was commonly used as insulation, roofing materials, ceiling and floor tiles. Because of its widespread use, asbestos can be found in many older buildings and homes throughout Maryland. Workers in occupations involving construction, mining, manufacturing, and other trades were most likely exposed and many developed health problems. 

Second-hand asbestos exposure (Secondary Asbestos Exposure)

Even the workers’ families were affected due to secondhand exposure—asbestos fibers are extremely durable and can cling to skin and clothing, traveling great distances with those directly exposed.

Unfortunately, many workers’ families and other household members were exposed to asbestos as well, as asbestos was brought home daily in neighborhoods across the U.S. on work-clothing. 

This is often known as secondary or second-hand asbestos exposure (or domestic / household family asbestos exposure). In studies of asbestos disease, 1 in 5 cases of asbestos exposure were caused by secondary asbestos exposure.

But spouses and children can also receive a share of the $30 Billion in asbestos trust compensation if they were exposed to asbestos brought into the house or family vehicle by a worker.

Asbestos in public places

This is not to say only workers and their families have been affected. Asbestos was often used in the materials to build homes, schools, and other facilities. Even in the state’s public buildings and commercial properties, residents and workers have fallen victim to exposure.

Do You Qualify For Compensation?

Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.

The latency of asbestos exposure 

Asbestos diseases have a long latency, meaning you won’t know whether you have an asbestos-related disease until twenty to even fifty years after you were first exposed.

In many cases workers who tested negative for asbestos damage in the 1990s eventually developed asbestosis, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos: a slow and silent killer

Because asbestos also has no smell or taste, and generally does not produce an immediate reaction, people may not know they’re breathing asbestos. Asbestos fibers can be microscopic. 

But the American Lung Association notes that there is a risk that once inhaled, some asbestos fibers will never leave the body.

Asbestos Abatement Services in Maryland

Because asbestos was both cheap and cost-effective, it was commonly used in construction up until the late twentieth century when its dangers finally became well-known. Thus, minerals are present in most buildings that are over 40 years old. If disturbed either in a renovation or demolition, asbestos-containing materials release odorless and undetectable fibers that, when inhaled, remain in the body perpetually, attacking the lungs.

When abatement is needed, Maryland has licensed asbestos abatement service providers who can safely remove or seal the material. While this does come at a cost, it reduces the chance of legal liability and can increase a property’s resale value. Having asbestos professionally removed also significantly reduces one’s risk of developing life-threatening health issues.

Why Work with an Asbestos Attorney in Maryland?

Even a small amount of asbestos exposure can lead to the development of health problems decades later, including asbestosis, pleural plaques, mesothelioma, and other cancers. Developing these diseases can result in large healthcare bills, lost wages, an inability to work, and a degraded quality of life. 

And many times, they are fatal. Fortunately, state and federal laws often work to protect those facing asbestos-related illnesses by guaranteeing compensation for their injuries. In many cases, a lawsuit is not even necessary to receive funds. There are trusts already set up to handle claims.

What are asbestos bankruptcy trusts? (Compensation, without a lawsuit.)

Healthcare providers in Maryland can test for the presence of asbestos fibers and asbestos-related damage in the lungs. If diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, a patient can then solicit the advice of an attorney. It can be complicated to apply for benefits, and claims are often rejected. Working with an experienced attorney can help guide individuals and their families through the sometimes-complicated claims process, ensuring their paperwork is filed correctly.

The experience, knowledge, and database needed to get compensation for those injured by asbestos exposure.

AsbestosClaims Law in Maryland has vast knowledge of the state laws and regulations, as well as the resources and trusts that may be available to those affected by asbestos exposure. They can also provide guidance on the best course of action, whether it be filing a lawsuit or making a claim through an established trust. 

Their W.A.R.D. database is the most comprehensive database of asbestos-related information in the world, providing critical information including where a person may have been exposed, which products may contain asbestos, and which compensation methods they may qualify for.

Often, the best relief is found through an asbestos bankruptcy claim, which is considered the most efficient and convenient method for seeking compensation since bankruptcy trusts, set up by courts to hold corporations accountable, currently have billions of dollars in unused funds available.

AsbestosClaims Law also operates on a contingency fee basis, which means the team only receives payment once the client has in hand the compensation owed to them. This means that there are no upfront costs to the client. It is important to act quickly, as there may be a statute of limitations on filing a claim. If you or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure, consult with AsbestosClaims Law to explore your options and claim the compensation you deserve today.

Justinian C. Lane’s Fight Against Asbestos is Personal

The Law Offices of Justinian C. Lane Esq., PLLC’s founder, Justinian C. Lane, knows first-hand how mesothelioma can devastate entire families: during the Second World War, his grandfather piloted naval landing craft, spending significant amounts of time aboard asbestos-laden ships. 

After leaving the Navy, he worked as a mechanic, spending the rest of his career handling asbestos-contaminated gaskets, brakes, and other automotive parts. 

Both Justinian C. Lane’s grandfather and grandmother eventually passed away from illnesses that bore all the characteristic signs of mesothelioma.

For nearly a decade, the Law Offices of Justinian C. Lane Esq., PLLC, has fought to protect the rights of Americans injured by the asbestos industry. 

AsbestosClaims.Law

AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information is helpful.

If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information about compensation for asbestos injuries.

If you believe that your home was contaminated with asbestos, or you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, or have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you could be entitled to significant compensation—money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 

All without filing a lawsuit.

AsbestosClaims.Law knows how to get you compensation as quickly as possible. But they are also good people who will return your call and listen to your situation. 

AsbestosClaims.Law does all the preparation and research, and only gets paid once you do.

The largest database of asbestos information on the planet.

W.A.R.D., which stands for the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, helps clients to narrow down when and where they may have been exposed, as well as which products may still contain asbestos. W.A.R.D. will also help indicate compensation types and how much a person may be entitled to.

If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.

1 ERIC – EJ273281 – Arizona’s School Asbestos Program., Journal of Environmental Health, 1982 (ed.gov)
2 https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/asbestos
3 Tompa E, Kalcevich C, McLeod C, Lebeau M, Song C, McLeod K, et al. The economic burden of lung cancer and mesothelioma due to occupational and para-occupational asbestos exposure. Occup Environ Med 2017; 74: 816-22.