What Is Secondary Asbestos Exposure?
Secondary exposure (also called secondhand, take-home, or paraoccupational exposure) occurs when asbestos fibers are carried home on a worker's clothing, hair, skin, or belongings—and inhaled by family members who never worked with asbestos directly.
For decades, asbestos workers unknowingly brought microscopic fibers into their homes. Wives, children, and other household members were exposed while washing clothes, hugging loved ones, or simply living in the same space. These innocent victims developed mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases through no fault of their own.
The Tragic Reality
Studies show that spouses of asbestos workers have up to 10 times the normal risk of developing mesothelioma. Children who grew up in these households face elevated lifetime risk as well.
Who Is Affected by Secondary Exposure?
Secondary exposure most commonly affects:
Spouses
Wives (primarily, due to historical gender roles) who washed work clothes contaminated with asbestos dust
Children
Kids who hugged parents returning from work or played in areas where contaminated clothes were stored
Other Household Members
Parents, siblings, or anyone sharing a home with an asbestos worker
Neighbors
In rare cases, people living very close to asbestos facilities or worksites
Common Scenarios
| Exposure Scenario | How It Happened |
|---|---|
| Washing work clothes | Shaking out dusty work clothes releases asbestos fibers into the air |
| Hugging workers | Fibers on clothing and hair transfer during physical contact |
| Living near worksites | Fibers brought into homes on vehicles and workers |
| Home renovation | Workers exposing family members during DIY projects |
| Shared vehicles | Fibers accumulating in cars driven by asbestos workers |
Legal Basis for Secondary Exposure Claims
Secondary exposure lawsuits are based on the legal principle that asbestos manufacturers had a duty to warn not only workers, but also foreseeable third parties—including family members—about the dangers of asbestos.
Courts across the country have recognized that companies knew or should have known that:
- Workers would carry asbestos fibers home on their clothing
- Family members would be exposed when handling contaminated items
- This exposure could cause deadly diseases
- Simple warnings and protective measures could have prevented exposure
Landmark Cases
Courts in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states have upheld the rights of secondary exposure victims to sue asbestos companies. These rulings established that manufacturers' duty to warn extended beyond the workplace.
Evidence Requirements
Secondary exposure cases require proving:
1. The Worker's Exposure
- Where the worker was employed
- What asbestos products they used or worked around
- Duration and intensity of their exposure
- Whether they brought contaminated clothing home
2. Household Contact
- Your relationship to the worker
- Living arrangements (same household)
- Specific activities that caused exposure (washing clothes, etc.)
- Frequency and duration of contact
3. No Alternative Exposure
- Rule out other potential sources of asbestos exposure
- Establish that take-home exposure was the likely cause
4. Resulting Illness
- Medical diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestos-related disease
- Pathology reports and medical records
Gathering Evidence
Even if the worker has passed away, an experienced attorney can often piece together their work history through Social Security records, union documents, employer records, and historical research. The worker's presence is not always required.
Unique Challenges in Secondary Exposure Cases
These cases face additional hurdles that direct exposure cases may not:
State Law Variations
Not all states recognize secondary exposure claims equally. Some have rejected them, while others have embraced victims' rights. An attorney can advise on the law in your state or identify a more favorable jurisdiction.
Longer Latency Period
Secondary exposure victims often have lower cumulative exposure than direct workers, which can mean even longer latency periods—sometimes 50+ years between exposure and diagnosis.
Proof Challenges
Connecting the dots between a worker's job decades ago, their home environment, and a family member's current illness requires thorough investigation and expert testimony.
Compensation Available
Secondary exposure victims may recover the same types of compensation as direct exposure victims:
- Medical expenses: All treatment costs, past and future
- Lost wages: If the illness prevents work
- Pain and suffering: Physical and emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life: Impact on daily activities
- Punitive damages: In cases of egregious corporate conduct
Trust Fund Claims
Many asbestos trust funds accept claims from secondary exposure victims, allowing recovery even when the original manufacturers are bankrupt.
How to File a Secondary Exposure Lawsuit
- Document the worker's history
Gather as much information as possible about the worker's employment: employers, job titles, dates, and any remembered product names.
- Establish household exposure
Describe your living situation, relationship to the worker, and specific exposure activities (washing clothes, etc.).
- Consult a specialized attorney
Mesothelioma lawyers handle secondary exposure cases regularly and know how to build these complex claims.
- Medical documentation
Obtain all records related to your diagnosis, including pathology reports.
- Filing and litigation
Your attorney files the lawsuit, conducts discovery, and pursues settlement or trial.
You Have Rights
If you developed mesothelioma from secondary exposure, you did nothing wrong—but you may still be entitled to significant compensation. The same companies that failed to protect workers also failed to protect their families. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can evaluate your case and explain your options.