Mesothelioma – Lung Disease Caused by Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer in the general population. However, in individuals that were exposed to asbestos, it is not as rare. That’s because the only known, established cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma is not a lung cancer. It is not caused by smoking. It is a cancer of the mesothelial cells. The asbestos fibers are breathed in, travel through the lung and become lodged in the pleura, the thin, saran wrap-type membrane that lines and encases the lung. The process of irritation from the infiltration of the asbestos fibers creates changes in the cells which causes the mesothelioma. This is known as pleural mesothelioma. Less common is peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the membrane that encompasses the lining of the abdomen.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that strikes over 3000 individuals per year. The incidence of mesothelioma is actually increasing. That is because of the long latency period associated with this asbestos-caused cancer, i.e. the time between the exposure to asbestos and the onset of the disease, is typically at least 10 years and as many as 60 years after exposure. That means that a worker in a factory or shipyard or otherwise exposed in the 1940’s or 1950’s may not experience any symptoms of mesothelioma until this year.
This disease was preventable. Many of the corporations that manufactured and profited from the sale of asbestos-containing products were aware of the hazards of asbestos. Safer, alternative materials were available, but asbestos was cheap, and available, and was a good filler and binder. Notwithstanding the deadly hazards of this fiber, corporations chose to rip asbestos out of the earth and recklessly use it in products from the 1920’s through the 1970’s and 1980’s, until most of these products were banned in the United States and abroad.
The manufacturers did not warn workers exposed to the asbestos in their products until, at the earliest, the mid-1960’s and the warnings were terribly inadequate. The result is that many Americans have unnecessarily and tragically contracted asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, other cancers and asbestosis, a scarring of the lung or pleural tissue.
The large settlements and verdicts associated with mesothelioma cases are not accidental. Jurors who have the opportunity to review the internal documents of these manufacturers and sellers of these products are outraged by the actual knowledge of these corporations and access to knowledge about the hazards of asbestos.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or suspect injuries from asbestos exposure, contact an experienced lawyer right away. The time has come to bring those who damaged your life to justice. While monetary compensation will not alleviate your pain, it will ease the burden of concerns such as medical bills, lost income, continued support for loved ones, and may aid in your situation in many other ways.
Mesothelioma can be a difficult disease to understand, and if you or a loved one have been diagnosed, you are certain to have numerous questions. MesotheliomaHelp.net has provided the below frequently asked questions to provide you with answers to your medical and legal concerns.
Asbestos & Mesothelioma Medical FAQs
What types of injuries are caused by asbestos?
What trades and occupations work with asbestos?
What types of products contain asbestos?
Could I have been exposed to asbestos in my home?
Why was asbestos used in building and insulation products?
What did companies know and when did they know it?
What is Mesothelioma? How do you get Mesothelioma?
What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?
How is Mesothelioma diagnosed?
What is the medical staging of Mesothelioma?
What are the treatment options for those diagnosed with Mesothelioma?
How do I locate and participate in clinical trials?
Legal Help FAQs
What Legal Options Are Available To Individuals Injured By Asbestos?
If I Don’t Remember How I was Exposed To Asbestos, What Can I Do?
What Are The Stages Of The Lawsuit And What Is My Involvement?
How Do You Prove Which Asbestos Companies Are Responsible For My Injury?
Will You File My Case As A Class Action Or As An Individual Lawsuit?
What If My Loved One Had Died Or Is Too Sick To Speak To An Attorney?
Are There Time Limits For Filing A Legal Claim?
If I Smoked Cigarettes, Can I Still File A Claim Against The Asbestos Companies?
Which Companies Are Sued In Asbestos Cases?
Which Asbestos Companies Are Bankrupt Or Out Of Business?
How Can I Find Out If I Should File An Asbestos Lawsuit?
Is There Going To Be A Trial In My Lawsuit?
How Long Will It Take For My Lawsuit To Be Completed?
Can I Contact You On Behalf Of My Father, Husband Or Relative?
Please use the below form to contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer today. The consultation is free, and there is no obligation. You may also call toll free: 1.877.LEGAL03 or visit the lawyers of Belluck & Fox online: Mesothelioma Lawyers.
