Until 1978, products used in applying drywall, such as joint compounds, spackling compounds, wall texture, and acoustical ceiling spray and plaster, contained asbestos. As a result, many construction workers were exposed to this harmful substance.
Because there generally is a period of 5 to 60 years before an asbestos victim exhibits the first clinical asbestos disease symptoms, the threat to the health of plasterers, painters and drywallers continue long after they have retired or changed occupations.
If you worked as a drywaller, painter, plasterer, or laborer, and you suffer from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible for compensation. You should speak with a lawyer who is experienced in drywall installer asbestos exposure lawsuits concerning your rights.
Asbestos is also contained in some drywall tape, plaster, and joint and taping compounds. Acoustical ceilings are another source of asbestos found in residential homes. These drywall accessory materials caused multiple exposures every time they were mixed, applied, sanded, and even cleaned-up.
Unfortunately, exposure to these harmful asbestos fibers was not limited to the workers themselves. Many others received secondhand exposure to asbestos through contact with someone who unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on his or her clothing, hair, or body.
Drywall repair continues to present potential hazards, especially if the drywall was installed prior to the 1980s. Those working on old buildings should be especially careful about wearing proper protection when ripping out or sawing through old drywall asbestos products.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or any other disease related to asbestos exposure, we recommend that you contact an experienced asbestos attorney as soon as possible. A drywall installer asbestos exposure lawsuit could help you get the payments you need to move forward.