Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

What is mesothelioma?  It is a lethal cancer that attacks the membranes around the lungs, the heart and the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma cancer of the lungs is by far the most common form.  Perhaps its most unusual characteristic is that mesothelioma diagnosis usually occurs decades after the initial exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma Development

It takes years for the asbestos fibers to work their way into those membranes; after an extended presence they begin to cause fluid accumulation and tumor development.

• The first mesothelioma symptoms are such afflictions as a persistent cough, chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Symptoms are often mistaken for evidence of more common lung problems, which delays the mesothelioma diagnosis even further.
• The result of this lengthy disease development and diagnosis process is that malignant mesothelioma is nearly always well developed.
• Many mesothelioma patients face a poor prognosis and limited treatment options.

Corporate Responsibility

It has also resulted in a massive upheaval in the corporate liability area.

• Mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed on behalf of tens of thousands of people suffering from the results of asbestos exposure. 
• Hundreds of millions in claims have been paid out.
• A multi-billion dollar trust fund has been established to provide compensation for mesothelioma victims. 

Today, a mesothelioma attorney is usually a specialist in the field. Mesothelioma legal experts are familiar with all aspects of asbestos diseases and also are thoroughly knowledgeable in the range of compensation awards that have been made to both mesothelioma sufferers and their families.

Other Asbestos Exposure Related Illnesses

Asbestos exposure has been linked to a number of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is also known to cause a non-cancerous disease called asbestosis, which involves scarring of the lung tissue. Most asbestos exposure related illnesses stem from the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Individuals breathe in asbestos particles during asbestos exposure and the fibers become trapped in lung tissue.

Some asbestos-related illnesses do not manifest symptoms until many years later, even decades after initial asbestos exposure. However, some people develop serious ailments within a few months of asbestos exposure.

The length of asbestos exposure also correlates to the severity of the illness, with those patients who had long-term asbestos exposure usually experiencing more acute forms of the disease than individuals whose asbestos exposure lasted only a few months.

If you or someone you love has developed an asbestos-related condition due to asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your damages through an asbestos lawsuit.

Sources of Asbestos Exposure

While exposure to asbestos can occur in a number of settings, occupational exposure is the most common. Click on the following links to learn more about the different sources of asbestos exposure:

Why File an Asbestos Lawsuit?

In some cases, victims of diseases related to asbestos exposure are able to recover damages - including medical bills and lost wages - through an asbestos lawsuit. Asbestos exposure lawsuits attempt to recover funds from the parties responsible for causing or allowing the asbestos exposure to take place. Many states have ruled that individuals who have experienced asbestos exposure and reasonably expect to develop asbestos related illness should be able to seek compensation.

For additional asbestos legal information, you may wish to consult with an attorney experienced in asbestos litigation. Please contact us today for a FREE consultation with one of our qualified asbestos attorneys who can help you understand your legal rights.