You do not have to be directly exposed to asbestos to suffer its negative effects. Secondary exposure is as harmful, and you may be at risk of developing asbestos-related ailments despite not being primarily exposed to asbestos.
If you are a victim of secondary exposure, you may have a right to compensation, depending on how your exposure occurred.
When can you get secondary asbestos exposure?
Suppose you have a spouse or loved one who came in contact with asbestos at their workplace. Given that asbestos fibers can adhere to clothes or even on the person, it can be easy to transfer them unknowingly, thereby exposing the people they come in contact with.
You can be exposed when doing laundry or from physical contact. Over time, such exposure may build up and cause related complications such as mesothelioma or certain types of cancer.
What can you do about it?
If you have developed mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure, the first thing you need to do is to establish how you were exposed to the harmful substance. For instance, your exposure may have come from your spouse after they were exposed at their workplace as discussed.
In such a case, you can bring a mesothelioma claim against their former employer and seek damages resulting from your illness. However, you need to handle your claim carefully since things might get complicated along the way.
What to expect in your claim
It can be difficult to prove that you are a victim of secondary exposure, unlike cases where someone was directly in contact with the asbestos. This is especially true for those who were exposed through their loved ones who have since passed away.
Therefore, you should anticipate some of these legal challenges that could come up in your case and ensure that you get the most out of your claim.