New York and New Jersey mesothelioma trial attorneys from Levy Phillips & Konigsberg recently represented and prosecuted an Asbestos lawsuit on behalf of a 49 year old Long Island resident and mother of two who died of mesothelioma after Asbestos exposure occurred while working as a stage hand and lighting technician at various Broadway theaters. This unique action brought on by experienced mesothelioma trial attorneys, involved a number of defendants not ordinarily sued in
Asbestos lawsuits such as theater owners, lighting distributors, and stage lighting manufacturers.
Asbestos is the only known
cause of mesothelioma. This lethal form of cancer occurs primarily in the lining of the lungs and abdomen. Asbestos exposure can occur from a variety of sources. The danger of Asbestos exposure to theater workers has been written about over the last few decades. See, Rossol, Monona, Stage Fright, Health and Safety in the Theater, pp 91-94 (Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety, New York 1987); Rossol, Monona, The Health & Safety Guide for Film, TV & Thearter, pp.161-167(Allworth Press, New York 2000).
Because Asbestos curtains hang above the rafters in many theaters to this day, stagehands may be at risk for
mesothelioma from Asbestos exposure. Asbestos-containing curtains are still used in most of the older Broadway theaters as a means of fire prevention. As surprising as it may seem, it is not uncommon for Asbestos-containing theater curtains to be brought down for inspection by fire marshals before a show's premiere to make sure that the curtains can be lowered and raised without coming into contact with obstructions such as lights or other parts of the set. In older theatres, Asbestos can also be found wrapped around the wires that are used to connect theater lights such as fresnels, leikos, scoops, pars and spotlights. Such Asbestos covered wires are often referred to as "twofers" or "pigtails". The older the theater, the more likely that Asbestos in some form was and is still there.
