Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Induced Diseases

Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral that can be separated into long, thin fibers. It is strong, pliable, and heat resistant. During the 1900s, asbestos was widely used in many industries due to its resistance to fire, chemicals and electricity. Asbestos was used in thousands of products including pipe covers, vinyl floor coverings, clothing, brake linings, insulation, drywall, and fire-retardant products. Asbestos was also used extensively by the United States Military, particularly by the Navy. Although asbestos was often referred to as a miracle product because of its many uses, it was later discovered that it can be extremely harmful to humans.

In the 1920s, scientists demonstrated that serious lung diseases were caused by inhaling asbestos products. Despite strong evidence that asbestos caused serious lung damage, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, asbestos manufacturing companies did not warn their workers, the public, or discontinue production. Because the asbestos industry ignored the dangerous health effects of the material, millions of bricklayers, roofers, miners, maritime workers and other employees were exposed to asbestos only a daily basis. It wasn't until the 1970s that precautions were taken to protect workers from asbestos exposure. Since then, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have banned several asbestos products and manufacturers have also voluntarily limited uses of asbestos. However, asbestos is still in use in the United States today.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they become lodged in the lung tissue and can lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that affects the mesothelium, which lines the abdominal and chest cavities and protects many of the body’s organs. Exposure to Asbestos is the only known cause of malignant mesothelioma lung cancer, and even a small amount of asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma cancer later in life. Symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear until decades after the exposure. Therefore, workers exposed to asbestos in the mid-1900s may not realize they have this malignant cancer until many years later.

If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos, either by working in or around a factory, mine, shipyard, naval vessel, or building that utilized asbestos products, or in a secondary capacity, by breathing the asbestos fibers that adhered to the clothing of a family member or friend, you may be eligible to participate in an asbestos lawsuit. Executives and those running asbestos companies knew that asbestos was a dangerous product, but failed to warn workers or consumers of the dangers associated with the inhalation of asbestos dust and fibers. Mesothelioma lawsuits aim to hold these liable parties accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed against:

• Shipbuilding Companies (asbestos was used in all naval vessels constructed before 1970, and a high percentage of mesothelioma victims are members of the military who were exposed to it during service)
• Mining Companies (asbestos products were present in all aspects of the mining industry)
• Construction Companies
• Manufacturing Companies
• Factories and Power Plants

If you are a victim of asbestos exposure, contact us for a free case evaluation. Our lawyers are trained in asbestos litigation and can help you and your family seek compensation for your asbestos-related illness.