Asbestos exposure remains a hidden threat in American workplaces, even in industries that seem far removed from construction or heavy manufacturing. While asbestos is often associated with industrial jobs like shipbuilding or factory work, people from all walks of life have developed lung cancer or mesothelioma after spending years in “safe” environments like schools, offices, and stores.
The danger is real — and it’s still present in thousands of buildings across the country. From crumbling insulation in office walls to aging materials in public buildings, asbestos hasn’t gone away. And for many, the damage was done decades ago.
Asbestos Exposure Can Happen Anywhere
Asbestos was once used in everything from ceiling tiles and insulation to fireproof fabrics and adhesives. Many of those materials are still in use today, especially in older buildings that haven’t been fully renovated or abated. This means millions of workers were exposed over the years, even if they didn’t handle asbestos directly.
These are just some of the occupations where exposure has occurred:
- Teachers, Principals, and School Custodians: Asbestos was commonly used in school construction well into the 1970s. Many educators spent decades in classrooms where ceiling tiles, floor backing, insulation, and boiler rooms all contained asbestos.
- Office Workers and Government Employees: People who worked in mid-century office towers, courthouses, or municipal buildings were often exposed to asbestos through air ducts, pipe wrap, and deteriorating structural materials, especially during HVAC upgrades or repairs.
- Retail Employees and Stockroom Workers: Chain stores, strip malls, and grocery stores built before the 1980s often contain asbestos in tiles, fireproofing materials, and delivery bay insulation. Workers may have inhaled fibers during daily routines or while assisting with minor renovations.
- Hairdressers and Barbers: Vintage hand-held hairdryers and salon tools contained asbestos insulation. Decades of close exposure have led to surprising numbers of asbestos-related illnesses in the beauty industry.
- Artists, Theater Workers, and Craftspeople: Set designers, ceramic artists, and stagehands have been exposed through plaster, talc-based materials, spray-on coatings, and insulation in props or sets, particularly those reused or repurposed from older productions.
- Healthcare Workers and Maintenance Staff in Hospitals: Many hospitals were built during the height of asbestos use. Staff who worked in basements, mechanical rooms, or older wards may have encountered asbestos during upgrades or routine maintenance.
- Firefighters and First Responders: Breaking into burning or damaged buildings often means disturbing old materials. First responders face ongoing risk from airborne asbestos — even in buildings they don’t expect to be hazardous.
The list is far longer than most people realize. Anyone who worked in an aging structure, assisted with repairs, or spent time in deteriorating environments may have been exposed — even if they were never told.
Filing a Claim Isn’t Easy Without the Right Lawyer
When someone is diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma decades after exposure, filing a legal claim can feel overwhelming. The companies responsible may have gone bankrupt, merged, or disappeared. Paperwork is missing. Coworkers are gone. And the connection between illness and exposure isn’t always obvious.
That’s why it’s essential to have a law firm that understands how to win these cases.
The Ferrell Law Group focuses exclusively on asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma claims. Our national team has the tools and experience to uncover where and how exposure happened — even if it was 40 or 50 years ago. Our lawyers use:
- Proprietary exposure databases that link jobsites and products to known asbestos use.
- Expert witnesses who can explain how the exposure caused the disease.
- Historical blueprints, purchase orders, and maintenance records from thousands of worksites.
- Testimony from similar cases and prior lawsuits.
Our law firm handles the entire process from start to finish — including claim preparation, trust fund filings, settlement negotiations, and litigation if necessary. There are no upfront costs, and no fee unless compensation is recovered.
For victims, this means no guessing, no running around, and no legal headaches. Our lawyers do the hard work, so clients can focus on treatment and family.
Act Fast Because Time Is Limited
Asbestos-related illnesses often appear decades after exposure, but state laws still impose strict filing deadlines. In many cases, the statute of limitations begins the moment a person is diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma, not when the exposure occurred.
Missing that deadline could mean missing the chance to recover compensation entirely.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer, contact the Ferrell Law Group today. Our national legal team offers free consultations and will fight to hold the right manufacturers accountable. There’s no cost, no pressure — just answers, experience, and the help you deserve.
"The Ferrell Law Group handled our family's cancer case perfectly. They were incredibly detailed, making sure they understood every nuance of our situation. They asked for a lot of information to make sure they were not wasting our time. They were honest and up-front about whether they were going to be able to help us." - Janelle E., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐