Asbestos exposure can cause serious conditions like asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Our law firm is working with some of the more experienced Asbestos Attorneys, who can file a mesothelioma lawsuit on your behalf, and there are no legal fees unless you receive a settlement or award. Call us today or submit an online contact form for your free legal consultation.

Asbestos lung cancer diagram

Have You Contracted Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure?
Contact the Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyers Today!

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos.Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals, which consists of bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin, durable threads. This material became very popular due to its natural resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals. The mining and commercial use of Asbestos have been popular for more than a century. Industries such as building, construction, ship making, and automotive have all used this material for various purposes including the following.

  • Fireproofing
  • Insulation
  • Roofing
  • Strengthening cement
  • Sound absorption
  • Ingredient in paints, coatings, and adhesives

Most people who have been exposed to asbestos are unaware of such exposure. Others know they have had asbestos exposure but were never told of the potential danger to their health and welfare. During the twentieth century, some 30 million tons of asbestos were used in industrial sites, homes, schools, shipyards and commercial buildings across America. Many products containing this metal remain in buildings, ships, industrial facilities and other environments where the fibers can become airborne. It is even possible that a family member could have been exposed, because microscopic fibers on clothing can be released at home.

What Makes Asbestos So Dangerous?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have all classified asbestos as a known human carcinogen. If a material/product which contains this metal is disturbed, small fibers may be released into the air. The problem is created when these fibers are inhaled and become trapped in the lungs. Over time, these fibers build up, causing inflammation and scarring, which can lead to serious respiratory problems and life threatening mesothelioma. It is important to note that not everyone exposed to asbestos is at a high risk for developing these health complications. The truth of that matter is that everyone has some exposure to this substance throughout his or her lifetime. The people who face a true risk of developing serious health problems are those with repeated exposure to it.

Which Industries Are More Prone To Occupational Asbestos Exposure?

  • Construction
  • Mining
  • Milling
  • Insulation
  • Textile manufacturing
  • Ship building
  • Gaskets
  • Brake linings
  • The removal of asbestos

What Medical Conditions Can Result From Repeated Asbestos Exposure?

A graph showing what normal lungs look like vs. lungs with asbestos-related disease.

  • Lung Cancer: Lung Cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and has been found in those who have sustained prolonged asbestos exposure. The time between exposure to toxins and the occurrence of lung cancer is often 20 years or more. Furthermore, smokers who are exposed to asbestos are substantially more likely to develop lung cancer than those who are only exposed to one or the other.
  • Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a benign, or non-cancerous, disease. It is mechanical damage to the lungs caused by inhaling metal fibers. The fibers tend to irritate the lung tissue and cause inflammation. The condition may not surface for many years after inhaling these fibers, in many cases taking more than 20.
  • Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that is caused by asbestos exposure. It has a latency period of 20 to 50 years after the first exposure. This means that even if you worked around the toxic metal 50 years ago, you could just be developing mesothelioma now. However, with today’s workplace safety regulations, the risk of exposure is substantially lower.
  • Other Asbestos diseases include Tuberculosis, inflammation of the tissue lining the lungs (pleurisy) and heart failure.

How Is Lung Cancer Classified?

Diagram of lungs suffering from mesothelioma.Lung cancer is an uncontrolled cell growth within the tissue of the lungs. Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer in the United States; with roughly 200,000 people diagnosed annually. Additionally, it is currently the number one cause of all cancer-related deaths in America. 85% of lung cancer diagnoses are attributed to smoking. However, exposure to asbestos is also a large contributor to lung cancer causing Nearly 5,000 cancer deaths each year.

Lung cancers are classified by how they manifest. These classifications are important as they relate to the rate at which the cancer spreads, the treatment options, and the survival rate/life expectancy of the patient. The two main classifications for lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer:

An old man coughing from his exposure to Asbestos.Non-Small cell lung cancer is the most common form of lung cancer. Roughly 80% of all cases of lung cancer are non-small cell. It has a wider variety of more effective treatment options than small cell. Therefore, the survival rate and life expectancy is much higher in non-small cell than in small cell. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), there are 3 common forms of non-small cell lung cancer.

  1. Adenocarcinoma: Found in an outer area of the lung. It makes up roughly 40% of lung cancer cases.
  2. Squamous cell carcinomas: Usually found in the center of the lung. Accounts for about 30% of lung cancers.
  3. Large cell carcinomas: Can occur in any part of the lung. Makes up close to 10% of all lung cancers.

The number one cause of non-small cell lung cancer is smoking. However, exposure to asbestos is also a major contributor. Symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer include.

  • Coughing that does not go away
  • Coughing up blood
  • Fatigue
  • Chest Pain
  • Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss
  • Shortness of breath and wheezing
  • Bone and/or joint pain
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Nail problems
  • Swelling of the face
  • Shoulder pain/weakness

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer has five stages, ranging from stage 0 (cancer has not spread beyond the inner lining of the lung) to stage IV (cancer has spread to other organs of the body such as the brain or liver). Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Small Cell Lung Cancer:

Small Cell Lung Cancer makes up about 15% of all lung cancers. It is an aggressive and extremely fast-growing form of lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer is more common in men than in women, and it is almost always attributed to smoking. The two different type of small cell lung cancer are small cell carcinoma and combined small cell carcinoma. Most small cell lung cancers are small cell carcinoma. The symptoms of small cell lung cancer include the following.

  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of appetite/weight loss
  • Chest pain
  • Bloody phlegm
  • Wheezing
  • Fever
  • Weakness/Fatigue
  • Difficult Swallowing

Chemotherapy is the most common treatment because of the quick spreading nature of this form of cancer. Radiation treatment along with chemotherapy is also used when the cancer has spread throughout the body. Often times, surgery is not an option.

What is Mesothelioma?

X-Ray of a patient with mesothelioma.Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, in which malignant cells are found in the lining of the chest or abdomen. This disease is nearly always caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. These tiny fibers can be ingested through the mouth and nose and may eventually become trapped within the lungs causing severe health complications. The most common place where mesothelioma develops is in the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall. However, it can develop around the abdomen and heart as well.

How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?

One of the most difficult characteristics of mesothelioma is that its signs and symptoms can remain undetected upwards of 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest. Other signs and symptoms include the following.

  • Pleural effusion (fluid surrounding the lung)
  • Fatigue
  • Anemia (lower than normal red blood cell count which can cause fatigue)
  • Wheezing or cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Abdominal pain
  • Abdominal mass
  • Weight loss
  • Blood clots in the veins
  • Jaundice
  • Low blood sugar levels
  • Blood clots in the lung arteries

Since these signs and symptoms are common among other medical conditions, mesothelioma is very difficult to diagnose. A history of asbestos exposure may raise the physician’s likelihood to recognize this disease, so it’s important to disclose any relevant work history during which you may have been exposed. Usually, a biopsy (removal of tissue) is required to diagnose the disease.

What Treatments Are Available For Mesothelioma Patients?

A woman in a hospital bed.

  • Surgery: The most common form of surgery is removing the lining of the chest. However, research indicates that surgery alone has proven to be of limited success. Surgery is usually used in combination with chemotherapy and radiation.
  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy appears to be the most successful form of treatment. It is known to be the only form of treatment for mesothelioma that improved patients’ survival rates in both randomized and controlled studies.
  • Radiation: Often given in combination with surgery, as a post-operative consolidative treatment. However, radiation is difficult to tolerate and therefore is not used in many patients.
  • Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is an attempt to use the immune system to reject cancer. This is done either through a process that essentially trains the immune system to recognize tumor cells and destroy them, or through administering drugs that will try to seek out and destroy cancer cells.

There are currently about 3000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed annually, mostly in males over the age of 40. Experts estimate there will be about 250,000 cases of mesothelioma before 2020. The respiratory effects caused by exposure are irreversible. In relation to this, it is well known that smokers who have been exposed to asbestos are at an even higher risk of respiratory problems than from either one by itself.

Will I Have An Asbestos/Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

asbestos lawsuit brought about by mesothelioma lawyersMany asbestos manufacturers and distributors knew for decades that the material was toxic, yet made a business decision not to warn people of this hazard. As a result, you may have a right of recovery against those manufacturers. The statute of limitations in most states is 2 years after diagnosis, not 2 years after exposure. In both MA and RI, the relevant statute of limitations is 3 years after diagnosis.

A settlement or award resulting from an asbestos lawsuit can help provide financial relief for the costs of medical treatment and provide compensation for your pain and suffering. Your compensation will be determined by factors such as lost income, the laws in your state, and the parties responsible. Compensation for mesothelioma can fall anywhere between several thousand and several million dollars. Getting the highest possible compensation for your damages requires tough and experienced personal injury lawyers. If you suffer from asbestosis or mesothelioma, we can help. Our experienced injury lawyers and associated medical experts are ready to work for you to help you win a fair, efficient, and just award for your injuries.

Do You Need Legal Advice Concerning Your Mesothelioma Injuries?

A tort law lawyer discusses a class action lawsuit about mesothelioma with his two clients.If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, then you may be entitled to compensation. You may be able to recover for you medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other losses. Our law firm works with experienced asbestos & mesothelioma lawyers around the country, who can file an asbestos or mesothelioma lawsuit on your behalf. We charge no legal fees unless you receive the settlement or award you are entitled to. Feel free to call us toll-free anytime at 1-800-992-6878 or submit a contact form online.

Source:

  1. National Cancer Institute.
    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos