You may be more exposed to unseen hazards than you may realize. Did you know you could face asbestos risks even if you never worked near industrial areas? Simply washing a family member’s work clothes could expose you to this danger. You do not need to visit their workplace to face this hidden threat.
How take-home exposure happens
Take-home exposure can happen when a loved one brings tiny asbestos fibers on their clothes, hair or skin back to their home. These fibers float into the air when you shake out clothes, sort laundry or hug your family after their shift. Over many years, breathing in these fibers can cause serious health problems.
Devastating health consequences
The effects of asbestos exposure worsen slowly over time. You may not notice them until a doctor diagnoses a related serious disease many decades later. Here are some examples of health conditions linked to asbestos:
- Pleural mesothelioma: a cancer affecting the lung lining
- Asbestosis: a chronic, non-cancerous scarring and inflammation of the lung tissue caused by inhaling asbestos fibers
- Peritoneal mesothelioma: a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity
Secondary exposure is a significant threat to family members of industrial workers. You never received safety training, protective equipment or warnings about the risks you face in your own home.
Your legal rights
Even if you never worked at an industrial facility, Illinois law recognizes your right to compensation for secondary asbestos exposure. Many families across Central Illinois have successfully pursued claims against:
- Manufacturers who produced asbestos-containing products
- Employers who failed to implement decontamination procedures, where Illinois law established that the employer owed a specific legal duty of care to household members
- Companies that knew about take-home exposure risks but did not warn workers
You can pursue compensation in multiple ways. For example, you can file a lawsuit against the parties responsible or submit claims to asbestos trust funds set up for victims. Compensation may help pay for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other related losses.
Critical timelines
Illinois has statutes of limitations that restrict how long you have to file a claim after diagnosis. If a doctor diagnoses you with an asbestos-related disease, start evaluating your legal options early. A history of living or laundering work clothes for family members employed in industrial sites puts you at risk.
Seek out a legal professional who understands the unique circumstances of secondary exposure cases. They can help you pursue the justice and compensation your family deserves.