Asbestos Exposure - Mesothelioma
Have You Sustained Personal Injuries from Medications, Pharmaceuticals, or Chemical Exposure?
MESOTHELIOMA
Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest diseases known to man; the average life span of an inflicted person from the time of diagnosis until death is less than 6 months. Itνs a disease that strikes approximately 3,000 United States citizens each and every year; hard working people who have labored for a lifetime to provide for their families, doing the work that keeps this country running and a great place to live.
During the twentieth century, some 30 million tons of asbestos were used in industrial sites, homes, schools, shipyards and commercial buildings in the United States. Many asbestos-containing products remain in buildings, ships, industrial facilities and other environments where the fibers can become airborne. It is even possible that you could have been exposed by a family member, because microscopic asbestos fibers on their clothing can come off in your home.
Mesothelioma is the most serious asbestos causing disease. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs (pleura), or around the abdominal organs (peritoneum). For many years asbestos manufacturers have claimed that cigarette smoking caused mesothelioma, however medical research has clearly proven that mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure.
There are currently about 3000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed per year, mostly in men over the age of 40. It is estimated that there will be about 250,000 cases of mesothelioma before 2020. Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos. That means that if you worked around asbestos 50 years ago, you could be developing mesothelioma now.
NationWide Law Group can assist individuals involved in a wide variety of Mesothelioma matters. If you have been exposed to Asbestos, you may be entitled to collect damages. NationWide Law Group would be honored to help determine if you have a case. Call us for a free legal consultation at 551-427-6047.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma.
Symptoms of mesothelioma are usually non-specific and may not appear until 10 to 40 years after someone is exposed to asbestos. When symptoms do finally appear, they may include shortness of breath and pain in the chest, due to an accumulation of fluid in the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. In addition, symptoms may include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling, due to a build-up of fluid in the abdomen. In some cases, symptoms may even include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, fever, night sweats and anemia.
Because the symptoms caused by mesothelioma are similar to many other less serious health problems, it is important to see a doctor for a correct diagnosis.
Risk Factors Associated with Mesothelioma.
Although mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer, reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years. Almost all people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. In fact, a history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70-80% of all cases. Usually, the risk of mesothelioma will increase with heavier and longer exposure to asbestos. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma also occurs more often in men than in women, and risk increases with age. Yet, mesothelioma may appear in either men or women at any age.
There is also some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of someone who worked with asbestos.
Who is at Risk for Asbestos Exposure?
Many people wonder if they are, or have been, exposed to the health risks caused by asbestos. Health hazards from asbestos dust have been recognized in workers exposed in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, insulation work in the construction and building trades, brake repair, and a variety of other trades. Demolition workers, drywall removers, and firefighters also may be exposed to asbestos dust.
People whose work brings them into contact with asbestos -- workers who renovate buildings with asbestos in them, for example -- may inhale fibers that are in the air; this is called occupational exposure. Workers' families may inhale asbestos fibers released by clothes that have been in contact with asbestos-containing materials; this is called paraoccupational exposure. People who live or work near asbestos-related operations might inhale asbestos fibers that have been released into the air by such operation; this is called neighborhood exposure.
The amount of asbestos to which someone is exposed will vary, according to:
The concentration of fibers in the air;
The duration of exposure;
The person's breathing rate (workers doing manual labor breathe faster);
Weather conditions; and,
Any protective devices the person might be wearing.
Although it is known that the risk to workers increases with heavier exposure and longer exposure time, investigators have found asbestos-related diseases in individuals who had only brief exposures. Workers who develop asbestos-related diseases may show no signs of illness for a long time after their first exposure. It can take from 10 to 40 years for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear. Because of this time-lapse issue, lawyers are often asked if there is still time to make a claim for an injury or illness caused by asbestos.
There May Still Be Time To Make A Claim.
Many people who have suffered injuries from toxic substances such as asbestos did not know of the health risks at the time of the exposure. As a result, some states have enacted laws allowing people to file lawsuits for a certain amount of time after the date when their asbestos-related illness was detected, rather than from the date of the exposure. An attorney can tell you whether you still have time to file a lawsuit within the limitation period applicable in your state.
You can get a FREE consultation with a leading Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Personal Injury Attorney in your area who can offer sound legal help and assistance with your claim.
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