work induced asthma

[bob1961546]

WHILE WORKING ON A HOUSING SITE IN PHILA PA,I WAS EXPOSED TO ASBESTOSE ON SEVERIAL OCCUATIONS.I HAD WITH OUT KNOWING WHAT I WAS REMOVING,REMOVED ASBESTOSE FROM PIPES,SHOWER DEVERTORS AND CLEANED UP BEHIND OTHERS BEFORE I COULD DO MY WORK.I ALSO WAS AROUND LARGE AMOUNTS OF ROACH,RAT ,MOUSE AND HUMAN FECIES.I WAS COVERED IN FLEES FOUR TIMES.I AM NOW OUT OF WORK DUE TO MY CONDITION.I WORKED IN THESE CONDITIONS FROM MARCH OF 2009 TO JANUARY OF 2010.I USE AN INHAILER TWICE A DAY,NEBULIZER TWICE A DAY.MY THROAT HAS MUCUS IN IT TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY.MY QUESTION IS COULD MY EXPOSER TO THE ASBESTOSE BE CAUSING SOME OF MY PROBLEMS

[caregiver222]

On the other side of the coin, it is not in any worker's best interest to document such conditions. It may prevent them from getting compensation at a later date.  It may be of interest to the boss, HR managers, to the insurance company, of course, and staff.

But I'm for the little guy. I'd keep my trap shut about "pre-existing" problems.

When you fill out the employment form, cross your fingers behind your back. That's what my mom always told me to do when I told a fib.

If you have such issues, it is probably not a good idea to take a position where there will be additional exposure, but this is a judgmental call.

[drsloanmd]

Work related asthma  is common in industries setting. Exisiting hypersensitive airway in employees should be noted prior to employment. A very crucial and interesting occupational disease that draws lots of attention among employers and staff.

Health education is targetting at prevention and early detection of the disease. Target audience for such topic would be occupational safety officers, HR managers in various industries.

[caregiver222]

The thing to bear in mind is that millions of people have been heavily exposed to asbestos with no long-lasting effects. As a child, asbestos cement was sold in model stores and we used it to make mountains for the model train sets. Generations used asbestos insulation around pipes. As a teenager, decades ago I used asbestos to re-insulate a boiler on a steam locomotive, as did many other high-school students as a school project.

I do not mean to diminish the legitimate claims of those who have developed lung disease from exposure to this substance, but I am not convinced that minimal exposure, if one used a bit of common sense in handling the material, was that dangerous.

This is an opinion of one.

Johns-Manville was bankrupted over claims, and the handling of asbestos removal is now heavily regulated.

Tort claims are based on the concept of stare decisis, which is the latest case in the jurisdiction in which the claims are made.

I don't want to discourage you from submitting a claim, nor make light of your breathing difficulties, but I can tell you it will be a rocky-road if you try to connect your problems with on-the-job exposure..

[caregiver222]

Tort actions for alleged asbestos exposures are the flavor of the month. My own two-cents worth is that the danger is not that great.

If I was on a jury I would not award compensation based on your minimal exposure. But I may be missing something.

You are going to need witnesses to the exposure and expert witnersses on the stand.

In addition, if you have accepted workman's comp you have lose the right to exercise a tort. Accepting workman's comp is a "covenant not to sue."

Theoretically, yes. And listening to all the tort action bottomfeeders advertsing on the radio you'd have to be foolish not to be scared.

If yoy have a workman's compensation case you are going to have a rough time connecting your condition with your exposure. You may do so.

See an attorney and they may be able to refer you to a physician who specializes in this sort of thing.