Landlords And Property Owners Can Be Liable For Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was previously used in construction materials for insulation, which was later found to cause severe health complications. As a result, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have prohibited this material from being used in numerous products. Even with the awareness of the dangers associated with asbestos, some older buildings still contain this hazardous fiber.
Exposure to asbestos can lead to life threatening illnesses, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings. Asbestosis is also linked to harmful exposure to asbestos and is used to describe lung scarring that is irreversible and often fatal. What is frightening is that it can take years for symptoms of asbestos exposure to surface. Since asbestos fibers in the air are too small to be visible, someone can be exposed for a long period of time, without even realizing it.
Landlords and building owners are responsible for ensuring that the property is safe. They should conduct adequate inspections to make sure there are no imminent dangers that could harm customers, tenants and anyone else on the property. When landlords and building owners fail to take safety precautions, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur from a hazardous condition on the property. The area of law that governs this type of situation is known as premises liability. Someone who is exposed to asbestos and acquires a serious disease or illness as a result, can sue the premises owner for damages related to the injury. Compensation can be pursued to cover pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and other costs associated with the injury.
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and have developed a serious disease as a result, contact David Benenfeld, an experienced Florida premises liability attorney, at (866) 943-5766 for a free legal consultation regarding your asbestos case.
