A Pennsylvania Asbestos Exposure Affidavit is a sworn statement—signed under oath—that lays out the facts of your asbestos exposure in a clear, usable way. It is not “fluff,” and it is not a generic narrative. It is a proof document. When done right, it helps lock down who, what, where, and when—so your claim is supported by evidence that can be verified.
If you are dealing with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, or another asbestos-related diagnosis, you will eventually run into one basic problem: you can’t win a case with a diagnosis alone. You also need credible exposure proof. An affidavit is one of the cleanest ways to organize that proof.
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What an exposure affidavit is (and what it isn’t)
An exposure affidavit is:
- A sworn statement of facts (not opinions)
- Based on personal knowledge (what you did, saw, handled, breathed, cleaned, repaired)
- Structured so it can be cross-checked against records and witnesses
An exposure affidavit is not:
- A “life story”
- A rant about how companies behaved
- A list of every job you ever had with no detail
- A medical report (that’s separate)
Why affidavits matter in Pennsylvania asbestos cases
Pennsylvania asbestos cases rise or fall on product identification and work practice exposure. Courts and defendants look for specifics. The stronger your affidavit, the harder it is for the defense to pretend the exposure is “speculative” or “too vague.”
A good affidavit also helps your lawyer:
- Identify defendants and product lines faster
- Target the right jobsite records and union records
- Locate coworkers who can corroborate details
- Avoid internal inconsistencies later (when memories fade)
What to include in a Pennsylvania asbestos exposure affidavit
1) Your identifying information
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Current address (or county/state)
- Confirmation you are competent to testify
- Statement that it is made under oath/penalty of perjury
2) A clean work history (high-level, then detailed)
Start with a list of employers and years. Then add detail only for the jobs that mattered.
For each relevant job:
- Employer name and location (city/state)
- Dates (even approximate)
- Job title and main duties
- Areas of the plant/site where you worked
- Names of foremen/supervisors if remembered
Read about: Pennsylvania Asbestos Work History
3) The actual exposure facts
This is the core. For each exposure setting, describe:
- Tasks: cutting insulation, replacing gaskets, grinding packing, mixing refractory, pulling cable, brake work, boiler work, pipe covering, tearing out old material, etc.
- Frequency: daily/weekly/seasonal, shutdown work, turnarounds
- Conditions: enclosed rooms, poor ventilation, visible dust, sweeping, compressed air
- Proximity: whether you handled it directly or worked next to crews who did
- Protective equipment: what you had (usually none), what you were told (usually nothing)
4) Product identification (what you actually remember)
Do not guess. But do not be timid either.
Include what you can honestly identify:
- Brand names (if known)
- Packaging description (color, labeling, “asbestos” warnings, logos)
- Where it was stored on site
- Who supplied it (if known)
- Who else worked with it
If you don’t know a brand name, describe the category and the task precisely. Many products can be identified later through records, coworker proof, and jobsite evidence—but only if the tasks are described clearly.
5) Coworkers and corroboration
List coworkers who can confirm:
- You were there
- The work occurred
- The dust conditions were real
- The products or materials used were what you describe
Even partial names matter. “Mike (pipe crew),” “Big John, insulators,” etc.—your lawyer can often track these down with the right starting point.
6) Non-occupational exposure (only if real)
If it applies, keep it factual:
- Take-home exposure from a household member
- Home renovation or demolition work
- Military service exposures
But don’t dilute the affidavit—Pennsylvania cases usually need the occupational story tight and credible.
Read about: Pennsylvania Asbestos Exposure Timeline
Format that works (simple and usable)
A strong affidavit typically uses numbered paragraphs and headings like:
- Background
- Work History Overview
- Employer #1 – Job Duties and Exposure
- Employer #2 – Job Duties and Exposure
- Specific Products / Materials Recalled
- Coworkers / Witnesses
- Oath and signature
It should read like proof—because that’s what it is.
Call Lee Directly Now
If you’re looking at a diagnosis and wondering how you’re supposed to prove exposure from 20, 30, or 40 years ago, that’s exactly the work I’ve done my entire career.
I started doing asbestos product identification as a paralegal in 1988, before anyone had databases or neat “jobsite lists.” Later, I worked on the Saginaw foundry cases where exposure proof had to be real, consistent, and defensible. And I’ve continued that same hands-on evidence development through individual West Virginia mesothelioma and lung cancer cases—working directly with clients to build legitimate, credible exposure packages that hold up under scrutiny.
Read about: Pittsburgh Asbestos Lawyer
If you need help building a Pennsylvania asbestos exposure affidavit the right way—focused, accurate, and usable—call me.
Law Offices of Lee W. Davis, Esquire, PLLC
(412) 781-0525 — Free, confidential case review
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FAQs
Do I need an affidavit if I already have medical records?
Yes. Medical records prove the diagnosis. The affidavit helps prove the exposure history that caused it.
What if I can’t remember product names?
That’s common. The affidavit can still be strong by focusing on tasks, locations, equipment, and coworkers—then product identification can be built from those anchors.
Can a coworker affidavit help even if I worked there decades ago?
Yes. Consistent coworker proof often strengthens older exposure cases because it confirms the same materials and conditions during the same time period.