Ohio is a high-risk state for asbestos-related disease due to the major industries here. Unfortunately, symptoms from asbestos exposure take a very long time to show. Even though steps are being made to decrease the risk of asbestos exposure, those exposed in the past may still face the consequences in the future.
It can be hard to know if you have been exposed for sure, because symptoms can take years to show. Some industries and specific companies are more at risk than others for exposure. Many buildings that were built with asbestos products have since been changed to pose no threat, but people who were in those buildings before the change could have been exposed.
However, you are able to file a claim and receive compensation for medical issues that develop because of asbestos exposure, even if the exposure happened decades ago.
In most personal injury cases, there is a time limit from the moment of the injury to when a claim can be filed. However, due to the nature of asbestos-related diseases, you can file a claim if you develop a disease due to an asbestos exposure from many years ago, as long as asbestos exposure was the cause.
In order to determine if asbestos is the primary cause of your disease, these factors would be considered in court:
• How you were exposed
• Your proximity to the asbestos during exposure
• Frequency and length of exposure
• Other factors that affect the exposure
Diseases, such as mesothelioma, can take 20 or more years to surface after the initial exposure. If you were at risk earlier in your life, know that asbestos-related disease could develop but also know that you are still able to file a claim if that does happen.
Proving asbestos as a cause can be difficult or complex though, especially if the exposure happened much earlier in your life. Having a lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation is extremely important. You may not be able to change the fact that you might have been exposed to asbestos in the past, but you have options if symptoms do develop.
