Teachers and Mesothelioma

From the 1940s until the end of the 1970s, asbestos was one of the most widely used materials in construction. Its ability to withstand heat and flame made asbestos an effective fireproofing agent, and as such was used in many public buildings, including elementary, middle, and high schools. Unfortunately, in response to the post-World-War-II population boom in the United States, hundreds of new schools were constructed across the country just as asbestos use was hitting its peak. Most of these schools remain in use today.

Prolonged exposure to asbestos can lead to a number of disorders and diseases, the most dangerous of which is a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. While mesothelioma is most common among construction, shipyard, and other trade workers, 137 teachers died from mesothelioma between 1985 and 1999, according to the Environmental Working Group. Many teachers have since been diagnosed with the disease, including many whose exposure to asbestos extended over several decades.

Asbestos removal is both difficult and expensive, and the substance is still commonly found in older schools throughout the country. While the Environmental Protection Agency passed measures to help ensure the safety of teachers and students in asbestos-infested schools, teachers who worked in these schools before 1980 remain at high risk for mesothelioma. Because the disease often takes years or even decades to manifest symptoms, many teachers who have long been removed from these asbestos-ridden environments are only recently being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

If you are a teacher who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important that you understand your rights and your legal options. Please contact a qualified mesothelioma attorney today for further information about how you can obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.

Asbestos in Schools

At the peak of its popularity, asbestos was used in thousands of products, many of which were common construction materials. In many schools, you could not avoid contact with these materials; from the floor and ceiling tiles to insulation and boiler rooms, asbestos was a staple. Although the dangers of asbestos exposure had been known to the asbestos industry since the 1930s, this information was hidden from the public until the late 1970s. By that time, hundreds of thousands of teachers and other school personnel had already been exposed to toxic amounts of asbestos.

Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney

Our country’s teachers are truly committed to working in support of the public good. It is tragic, then, that so many have been rewarded for their years of service with serious illnesses and early deaths. If you are a teacher who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we invite you to contact an asbestos attorney today for an explanation of your rights and legal options.