Asbestos: Still a Top Killer in New Jersey
By: Cohen, Placitella & Roth @ Jun 23, 2016
Most people think of asbestos as a once-common additive in building materials that while dangerous, no longer poses a threat today due to regulations that prohibit its use. However, this is a myth; at least 15,000 Americans die per year due to asbestos. Attacking the lining of the body’s organs, asbestos – which is composed of six fibrous materials that are typically used in construction, insulation, and related projects – leads to tragic diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma. The following considers rates of death from asbestos in New Jersey and the United States, who might be liable when asbestos leads to a tragic disease, and how a mesothelioma attorney can help you.
Asbestos-Related Deaths in the States
According to the Environmental Working Group, the mesothelioma mortality rate more than doubled from 1998 to 1999, when the government began tracking mesothelioma as a cause of death. Today, numbers remain high; the group reports that in Los Angeles County alone (the county in the country with the highest rate of mesothelioma deaths), there were between 846 to 1,227 mesothelioma deaths recorded between 1979 through 2001.
There are multiple counties in New Jersey that make the list of ‘Deaths Due to Asbestos Related Diseases – Top 100 Counties.’ Those New Jersey counties on the list include:
- Ocean County;
- Gloucester County;
- Burlington County;
- Union County;
- Hudson County;
- Monmouth County;
- Essex County;
- Passaic County;
- Middlesex County;
- Bergen County;
- Camden County; and
- Somerset County.
An Asbestos Nation (AN) Fact Sheet supports the claim that asbestos-related deaths are particularly high in New Jersey. The fact sheet states that asbestos has killed roughly 9,500 people in New Jersey from 1999 to 2013, and that 16 counties in New Jersey have annual asbestos mortality rates that are higher than the national average.
Is Asbestos Still Used in the U.S.?
The common myth is that asbestos is no longer used. But the same source cited above shares that over eight million pounds of raw asbestos and products that contain asbestos have been imported into the U.S. since the year 2006. The truth is that asbestos continues to be used in countless products, ranging from roofing products to auto parts and more.
Who Is Liable When Asbestos Leads to Disease?
There is no safe exposure to asbestos; all exposure has the potential to be dangerous and cause disease. When an individual develops an asbestos-related disease, parties who may be held liable include:
- The business for which the person works (if exposed while working);
- The business that sold the asbestos-containing product to the individual;
- A construction company or business that used asbestos products in construction of the individual’s home or business; or
- The manufacturer of an asbestos-containing product.
The above list is not inclusive; there may be other liable parties depending upon the specifics of the case.
Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and developed an asbestos-related disease, our experienced Philadelphia and New Jersey mesothelioma lawyers want to meet with you today. Contact us for a free case consultation to learn more about your rights to recovery.
