February 20, 2014 – The Associated Press recently confirmed that 74 year old American actor, Ed Lauter died from malignant mesothelioma. Best known for his movie roles in “The Longest Yard,” “The Family Plot,” “Born on the Fourth of July,” and “The Artist,” Lauter also starred in numerous high-profile television shows such as “ER,” The Office,” “Murder She Wrote,” and “The Rockford Files.” Lauter joins a growing list of actors who have also died from mesothelioma in recent years, most notably Steve McQueen, Merlin Olsen, Paul Gleason, and Sean Sasser.
Though acting is not considered one of the high risk careers associated with mesothelioma, the recent deaths of these actors raises questions about possible exposure to the dangerous substance on production sets. Some of the named deceased actors believed they had all been exposed to asbestos during time spent in the military and on construction jobs before their acting careers were established. Lauter’s asbestos exposure, however, has not yet been linked to any one specific experience, leading some to question whether the actor was exposed to asbestos when movie and television sets were being constructed and demolished.
Asbestos is a toxic mineral that was commonly used during the 1940-1980 building boom. The fibrous material was most often used in construction because of its insulating and heat-resistant properties.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey Asbestos Attorneys at Shein Law: Dedicated to Obtaining Justice for Victims
For over four decades, the dedicated and knowledgeable Pennsylvania and New Jersey asbestos attorneys at Shein Law have been advocating for the rights of those exposed to asbestos. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or any other disease related to exposure to asbestos, call our law offices at 1-877-SHEINLAW or contact us online to schedule a consultation.