You do not need first-hand exposure to asbestos to suffer the harmful effects. You can still be at risk of developing asbestos-related complications from secondary exposure.
Therefore, if you’ve worked in an asbestos-intensive industry such as construction or shipbuilding, your close family members may have unknowingly been exposed to the toxic substance.
How does this happen?
Asbestos is composed of fine and light fibers that separate easily. Therefore, if you come in close contact with asbestos, these fibers can remain on your hands, hair or clothing even after you clean up. Not everything gets washed away.
These fibers can then be unsuspectingly transferred to someone else through physical contact with family members or items like furniture or utensils in your house. Secondary exposure can also occur in other ways, such as when doing laundry containing asbestos fibers.
The harmful effects of asbestos
Asbestos has long been linked to the development of certain cancers such as mesothelioma. However, the symptoms of such an illness take years to manifest. Quite often, secondary exposure victims get a late diagnosis since there is usually no direct history of contact with asbestos which can guide a diagnosis.
Getting justice for a loved one
If a family member develops asbestos-related complications from secondary exposure, they may be entitled to compensation which can go a long way in dealing with the financial burden of your loved one’s illness, like medical bills and other expenses.
Therefore, it is necessary to know what you need to do to get your loved ones the justice they deserve. Remember, time is not on your side, as asbestos-related diseases can advance quickly once they manifest.