3M Dust Mask Lawsuit
One thing to note is that some dust masks are not approved by NIOSH, and thus, they should only be used in a low-risk environment. It would help if you only used dust masks when you have no risk of being exposed to any hazardous gases, vapors, and dust. Dust masks come in handy when you want to prevent inhaling pollutants in your environment. Exposure to dust and other toxic substances can harm organs such as the lungs, heart, and even brain.
Unfortunately, defective 3M dust masks left people exposed to dangerous pollutants. There are lawsuits pending against the manufacturer. If you have used 3M dust masks that were defective and suffered illness, our defective product lawyers at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton can help you file a 3M dust mask lawsuit. Contact us for a free consultation today.
What Are The Negative Effects Of 3M Dust Masks?
3M dust masks are used by so many people who want to protect their organs from pollutants’ effects. Due to high demand, various types of dust masks have emerged in the market. They protect the general public from contaminants, allergens, dust, and pathogenic organisms found in the air. As much as these dust masks are meant to protect us, if we fail to use them correctly, they may also cause unwanted effects. That is why we need to understand how to use them properly to maximize the benefits and minimize the side effects.
When you wear dust masks, the exhaled air can get into your eyes. When the air gets into your eyes, you may get the impulse to touch your eyes with your contaminated hands. If you are handling substances such as door handles and machines, avoid touching your face with your hands unless you have washed them. If you have used dust masks that are defective and are convinced that they will put your health at risk, contact us. We will represent your case and ensure you get fully compensated for the damages.
The other negative effect of 3M dust masks is that they can restrict your airflow. This is dangerous, especially in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which causes decreased airflow. If you are suffering from a respiratory condition, wearing the masks could restrict your breathing, making you uncomfortable. Besides, a fraction of carbon dioxide you have exhaled is inhaled in each cycle instead of getting out. It gets worse if you have COVID-19 since you keep pushing the viral load into your lungs instead of exhaling it completely.
Have 3M Dust Masks Been Recalled?
Late last year, 3M announced that people should stop using some of its half facepiece disposable respirators. This is because they noted that some of the masks had a pinhole in the chin area of the face seal, a defect that could result in air leakage into the respirators. The sale of defective dust masks is risky because it exposes millions of people to pollutants that may have adverse effects on essential organs. Also, we have to note that fit testing is a critical component of respirator use; hence if there is a low success rate in fit testing, then the chances of the masks being recalled become very high.
Are There Lawsuits Pending Against The Manufacturer Of 3M Dust Masks?
There have been several lawsuits filed against the manufacturer of 3M dust masks. One of the lawsuits that have been filed on behalf of coal mine workers states that the dust masks and safety respirators manufactured by 3M were defective. This is evidenced by the fact that the dust masks exposed the workers to unnecessary coal dust, resulting in some of them getting black lung disease.
The lawsuit alleges that 3M should have known that the products they produced were defective and could harm the users. Since the coal mining industry is dangerous to work in, the workers depend on the masks’ manufacture to provide high-quality dust masks to protect them from the potential hazards that may result from mining coal. 3M was therefore accused of negligence and product liability. They were also charged with breaching the warranty since they knowingly sold defective masks to coal mining workers.
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In 2018, a jury in Kentucky awarded $67.5 million in damages to two former coal miners who claimed defective 3M dust masks led to their black-lung disease.
If you work in the coal mining industry, you are automatically exposed to Black lung disease. The disease’s name derives from the fact that individuals suffering from the same will have black lungs instead of the usual pink color. There are different forms of the disease, with the Simple CWP being the earliest stage of the disease. In this case, the coal miner may not show any symptoms, but they will have clusters of nodules within the lung, in the areas where the coal has built up. The complicated CWP, on the other hand, occurs after several years of exposure to coal dust. If not addressed early enough, it can lead to the development of massive fibrosis in the lungs.
Who Is Eligible To File A 3M Dust Mask Lawsuit?
If you have used a defective mask, you need to file a lawsuit. If you fail to report the issue and happen to contract Black lung and Silicosis, you cannot blame anyone because you didn’t address the problem as soon as it occurred. You are always advised to report whenever the manufacturer provides defective masks because once an issue arises, it becomes easier to determine the source of the problem.
The reason you need to file a lawsuit when you contract Black lung disease and other associated illnesses is that the disease is preventable. If manufacturers can do quality checks, then the production of defective dust masks will reduce, which will improve the users’ safety. We advise that you file a legal claim as soon as you notice the symptoms. This will increase the chances of getting to the bottom of the matter as quickly as possible. Don’t wait for years to pass before you report, yet you have been suffering as a result of defective dust masks.
How Much Will It Cost To File A 3M Dust Mask Lawsuit?
Here at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, we understand that many victims worry about the costs of filing a lawsuit. Thus, our attorneys work on a contingency fee, which allows everyone the chance to get justice regardless of their status. A contingency fee means you only pay your attorney if they win the case.
In most cases, the payment will be a percentage of the winnings. We seek to help victims who cannot afford legal services to pursue litigation. Don’t fail to seek justice because of financial constraints. The other advantage of a contingency fee arrangement is that your lawyer will only take the case if the possibility of them winning is high. They won’t invest hundreds of hours if they don’t have a good chance of winning.
How Can A Lawyer Help A 3M Dust Mask Lawsuit?
If you want to file a 3M dust mask lawsuit, you need to work with an experienced and reliable lawyer. An attorney at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton will help to uncover the main parties that are liable for the defective dust masks. They will do immense research to ensure that all parties, be it manufacturers, retailers, and distributors, are held liable if they were involved in providing the defective masks.
Your attorney will also collect vital evidence that will help to substantiate your claim. Without substantial evidence, you may lose your case and end up incurring a considerable loss. In case you need to go to trial, an attorney at our firm will ensure that they represent your case well so you have the best chance for the judge to compensate you. If you have used 3M dust masks that were defective and suffered damages, contact us. We will work to ensure that you are rightfully compensated for the damages.