A new study reveals that approximately 15,000 people die every year in this country from asbestos exposure.  People may be exposed to asbestos through their jobs, typically from materials used in the construction or utility industries. Although there has been a substantial decrease—which began in the 1980’s—in the amount of asbestos used in products, the effects of asbestos exposure can take decades to appear.

It is well-documented that asbestos exposure causes asbestosis (a chronic lung disease), lung cancer, and mesothelioma (cancer of the protective lining of the body’s organs).

The study analyzed records from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), from the years 1999 to 2013, of people who had died from either asbestosis or mesothelioma. Researchers also included death records of those who had died from lung cancer which was linked to asbestos exposure. There were a total of 20,317 deaths caused by asbestosis during that time period. The total number of deaths from mesothelioma was 39,870. Deaths from lung cancer during that time were between 127,579 and 159,480.

The study found that there were at least 2,000 to 5,000 more deaths every year from asbestos exposure than what had previously been reported.

Asbestos exposure has also been linked to ovarian cancer, cancer of the larynx, colon cancer, and stomach cancer; however, those death records were not included in the study. A former assistant surgeon general—who was not part of the research group—says that if you considered the number of deaths caused by those asbestos-causing diseases, the number of deaths from asbestos exposure is much higher than what the study found. Dr. Richard Lemen also points out that several studies have found much higher rates of lung cancer in asbestos-exposed workers than what has been reported by government and other organizations, adding to an even higher number of deaths.

If you have been diagnosed with a work-related illness, such as asbestosis, please contact an experienced Westport personal injury attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have against those responsible for your illness. For a free initial consultation about your case, call Attorney Richard H. Raphael at 203-226-6168 today.

Most travelers dread driving around or near a tractor trailer. Big rigs can be intimidating because of their size, and can cause a legitimate uneasiness for those driving near one due to the dangers they may cause.

Every year in the U.S., there are nearly 4,000 people killed in tractor trailer crashes, and almost more than 105,000 people are seriously injured. Over 300,000 tractor trailers are involved in accidents every year. According to figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTA), almost half of those accidents involve a truck and a vehicle both traveling straight at the time of the crash.

Being stuck behind a tractor trailer can be frustrating due to the massive size of the vehicle. Moreover, it can be impossible to see what is ahead or what is coming in the opposite direction because a tractor trailer can block one’s view entirely. However, new technology by one company may help solve this issue for many drivers.

Samsung Technology Gives Cars a Better View 

Samsung, the company known for the manufacturing of televisions, phones, and other electronics, has begun mounting giant screens on the back of their company’s tractor trailers which gives the cars behind the truck a clear view of what is in front of the truck.

The screen is actually a video wall which uses four outside monitors. Wireless cameras are placed in the front of the truck and transmit to the monitors in real time. The technology enables drivers behind the tractor trailer to prepare for any situations which may be coming at them but are unable to see because of the truck’s size. Additionally, the screens enable drivers to see what is in the next lane, or coming at them from opposing traffic, therefore assisting when trying to pass the truck.

Samsung has been testing the screens in Argentina, where the accident fatality rate is extremely high. According to the country’s statistics, one person is killed every hour in a vehicle accident.

A Compassionate Westport Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a tractor trailer, please contact an experienced Westport personal injury attorney to find out what compensation you may be entitled to for your pain and loss. We are here to help you.

In 1997, the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act was enacted into law. This law caps the damages, which can be paid to victims who are injured or families who have lost loved ones in Amtrak train crashes, to $200 million per crash.

Debate over the law has resurfaced following the horrific Amtrak train crash which occurred in Philadelphia. On May 12^th, a northbound train went flying off the track as it turned a curve. According to investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in the minute right before the train derailed, its speed accelerated from 70 mph to 100 mph, even though the speed limit at the location of the crash is only 50 mph.

The engineer who was driving the train has told investigators he does not remember the moments leading up to the crash. There had been reports that the engineer was on his cell phone when the crash happened, but the NTSB recently released a statement saying their investigation has concluded that he was not using his cell phone for calls, texting, or Internet during the time he was operating the train. The agency is still trying to determine the cause of the deadly crash.

There were eight people killed in the crash and over 200 more injured. Many of the injured sustained long-term injuries, requiring millions of dollars just in medical care alone and many legal analysts predict that the amount of legal claims will far exceed the $200 million government cap.

In response to that concern, one lawmaker filed new legislation just days after the Philadelphia crash. If the bill is passed, it would raise the cap from $200 million to $500 million. In a statement announcing the filing of the bill, Florida Senator Bill Nelson pointed out that when Congress passed the Act in 1997, there was no provision to adjust the amount of the cap based on inflation and the cap is based on what costs associated with accident injuries were two decades ago.

If you have been injured in a mass transit accident, an aggressive Westport personal injury attorney can help. Call 203-226-6168 today to find out what compensation you may be entitled to for pain and loss you have sustained.