New York Mesothelioma Lawyer Warns Homeowners To Avoid Asbestos Exposure When Renovating Older Houses

New York mesothelioma lawyer Joseph W. Belluck

For decades, the housing and building products industries ignored the harm that can be caused by asbestos, so asbestos fibers may be in millions of homes across the U.S. and Canada.

New York, NY (Vocus/PRWEB) March 12, 2011

Although it makes economic and environmental sense to renovate your home to make it more energy efficient, homeowners need to ensure that they are not exposing themselves and contractors to dangerous asbestos in the process, New York personal injury attorney Joseph W. Belluck said today.
Citing a recently issued report by the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), Belluck said that older homes, in particular, may contain asbestos which can release toxic fibers when disturbed.
Asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lungs and cause mesothelioma, an incurable, highly aggressive form of cancer that claims the lives of 2,500 to 3,000 Americans every year.
“For decades, the housing and building products industries ignored the harm that can be caused by asbestos, so asbestos fibers may be in millions of homes across the U.S. and Canada,” said Belluck, a partner in Belluck & Fox LLP, a New York law firm that represents mesothelioma victims.
“As this report suggests, we need to educate homeowners and contractors who are doing these renovations so that they aren’t unknowingly exposed to this highly toxic material.”
According to the CELA report, there are several ways a person can become exposed to asbestos when renovating a home, including:

•     Disturbing loose-fill insulation and ripping away hot water tank insulation;
•     Removing roof shingles or siding;
•     Sanding or scraping asbestos floor or ceiling tiles;
•     Sanding plaster or coatings, such as roofing compounds, sealants, paint, putty caulking and drywall products that contain asbestos.

Belluck said the risk of asbestos exposure is particularly high in homes that were built prior to the 1980s. Since that time, the use of asbestos has been reduced although not outright banned in the U.S.
“If there is asbestos in the home, it should not be handled by a general contractor or homeowner working on a do-it-yourself project,” Belluck said. “This is something that must be handled and disposed of by a highly trained, certified asbestos contractor.”
Belluck said it is important for people to contact a New York mesothelioma lawyer if they believe that they or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Compensation is often available to victims of mesothelioma who file claims, he said, and there are various legal options to help mesothelioma sufferers pay for their medical bills and treatments.
About Belluck & Fox, LLP
Belluck & Fox, LLP, is a nationally recognized law firm that represents individuals with asbestos and mesothelioma claims, as well as victims of crime, medical malpractice, motorcycle crashes, lead paint and other serious injuries. The firm provides personalized and professional representation and has won nearly $350 million in compensation for clients and their families.
Partner Joseph W. Belluck is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and in Super Lawyers. Mr. Belluck has won numerous cases involving injuries from asbestos, defective medical products, tobacco and lead paint, including a recent asbestos case that settled for more than $12 million.
Partner Jordan Fox is a well-known asbestos and mesothelioma attorney who has been named to the Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and to Super Lawyers. On two separate occasions his verdicts were featured as the National Law Journal’s Largest Verdict of the Year.
In September, Belluck & Fox, LLP, won a coveted spot on a list of America's best law firms, which was published jointly by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers magazine. The listing showcased 8,782 different law firms ranked in one or more of 81 major practice areas.
For more information, contact the firm at (877) 695-2909 or through the online contact form.

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