Asbestos-containing ceiling tiles were installed in every type of building, possibly exposing those living under them and the ones who installed, removed, or disturbed them to cancer-causing fibers. People who didn’t give ceiling tiles a second thought may have their health threatened by them.
What are Ceiling Tiles?
Ceiling tiles are lightweight construction materials used to create a finished ceiling surface. They are in residential, commercial, and office buildings. Ceiling tiles improve a room’s aesthetics, acoustics, and insulation.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is the term for six naturally occurring minerals found as bundles of fibers. These fibers are separated into thin threads and processed for commercial and industrial applications. Because asbestos is resistant to fire, heat, electricity, and chemicals, it has been used in about three thousand products in many industries dating back to the ancient Greeks.
Why is Asbestos Hazardous?
Asbestos is a health hazard. Its use is highly regulated in the US and banned in many countries. Asbestos fibers are incredibly light and frequently too small to be seen with the naked eye. Asbestos-containing products like ceiling tiles that are installed or removed, disturbed, drilled into, sanded, cut, torn, or degrading over time can release fibers into the air.
Inhaling fibers may cause scars, inflammation, and, over years or decades, cancer tumors in a lung or its lining (pleural mesothelioma). Other linings inside the body that are invaded by asbestos fibers and become mesothelioma sites include the heart, chest cavity, abdominal organs, and abdominal cavity. Asbestos exposure can also cause stomach, colon, and larynx cancer.
Why Was Asbestos in Ceiling Tiles?
Asbestos was used in building materials, including ceiling tiles, because of key characteristics including:
- Fire resistance: Asbestos is highly resistant to fire and heat. This made it a popular choice for building materials, including ceiling tiles, as it enhanced a structure’s overall fire safety
- Light weight: A lighter ceiling tile is easier and cheaper to install, hang, and remove
- Durability: Asbestos fibers are strong and durable. Adding asbestos to ceiling tiles increased their resistance to wear and tear, contributed to their longevity, and reduced the need for replacements
- Insulation properties: Asbestos has excellent thermal insulating and sound absorption properties. This made asbestos-containing ceiling tiles effective in controlling a space’s temperature while improving its acoustics
- Affordability: Asbestos was relatively inexpensive during its peak use compared to some alternative materials, making it attractive to manufacturers and purchasers
- Versatility: Asbestos is readily incorporated into different manufacturing processes. This allowed for a wide range of building materials with diverse applications, making it a popular choice in the construction industry
Because of these qualities, asbestos ceiling tiles are in hospitals, offices, concert halls, schools, universities, churches, and homes.
How Would Someone be Exposed to Asbestos If It’s in a Ceiling Tile?
Intact ceiling tiles aren’t the problem. Exposure to asbestos in ceiling tiles can occur when the asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, damaged, or deteriorate over time.
Asbestos exposure is most likely when asbestos fibers are released into the air, where they can be inhaled or ingested. Some scenarios where this can happen include:
- Demolition or renovation: When buildings containing asbestos-containing ceiling tiles are renovated or demolished without safety precautions and walls, ceilings, or structures are torn down, asbestos fibers can be released into the area. This would expose workers on the project and anyone nearby
- Ceiling tile installation or removal: Installing or removing ceiling tiles, if not handled properly, can release asbestos fibers into the air, especially if someone cuts, drills into, or tears the tiles
- Maintenance or repairs: Maintenance or repair work involving cutting, drilling, or otherwise disturbing ceiling tiles can release asbestos fibers
- Deterioration: Over time, asbestos-containing ceiling tiles deteriorate and release fibers. This process can speed up when they’re exposed to water
Those exposed to asbestos from ceiling tiles at work may bring it home on their clothes, where family members may inhale or swallow the fibers.
Why Do People Injured by Asbestos File Lawsuits Against Manufacturers?
People injured by asbestos pursue compensation for the health effects, financial costs, and emotional and psychological injuries from medical conditions caused by asbestos.
Companies that manufactured, distributed, and sold asbestos-containing ceiling tiles and other products violated their legal obligations to purchasers and users. They profited by selling products unsafe for their intended use to people who were unaware of the dangers.
Potential recoveries include:
- Healthcare costs: Asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, can require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, chemotherapy, and ongoing medical care. Lawsuits may be filed to seek payment for past and future healthcare expenses
- Lost income and benefits: Asbestos-related illnesses can significantly impact or end your ability to work. Many victims may face a loss of income and benefits due to their illness, and lawsuits may seek compensation for lost wages, diminished future earning capacity, and other economic losses
- Pain and suffering: Asbestos-related diseases can cause immense physical pain and suffering. Individuals may file lawsuits seeking compensation for the emotional distress, pain, and reduced quality of life caused by their asbestos-related illness
- Wrongful death claims: If a death is caused by an asbestos-related disease, their estate’s personal representative may be able to file wrongful death claims. They would seek compensation for the family’s losses
If the responsible parties being sued are still operating, an insurance claim or litigation may result in compensation through a settlement or a trial verdict. If a company went through bankruptcy, there may be a trust fund that will at least partially pay for claims.
How Can Satterley & Kelley Help?
If you believe you have a medical condition caused by asbestos, seek medical attention and determine what, if anything, you have. If it’s mesothelioma or another disease linked to asbestos, consider filing a legal claim to recover your medical costs and lost wages and for compensation for your injuries. Call Satterley & Kelley, PLLC today at 855-385-9532 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation.
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