Asbestosis - ARE YOU AT RISK?
Asbestos is a dangerous substance, for which there is no "safe" level of exposure in the work environment. Individuals who have had significant occupational exposure to asbestos are at risk of developing a variety of diseases caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers.
Asbestos was used in many types of materials, some of which are:
- Thermal Insulation (pipe, block & cement)
- Fireproofing Acoustical Texture Products
- Textile and Cloth Products (asbestos gloves, blankets, etc.)
- Spackling, Patching & Taping Compounds
- Gaskets and Packings
- Asbestos - Cement Pipe and Sheet Material
- Ceiling Tiles, Wallboard, Siding and Roofing
- Friction Materials (brakes & clutches)
- Asbestos become a health hazard only when these materials crumble, fall apart, damaged or ripped. When asbestos materials are damaged like this, fibers are released into the air, where they may stay suspended for a long time. Asbestos can then be inhaled and the fibers can lodge deeply in the lungs.
SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of asbestos exposure are shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, crackling sound in the lungs and weight loss. Unfortunately, symptoms such as these appear as early as 15 years after exposure. The time between exposure and symptoms is often 20 to 30 years.
DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH ASBESTOS There are four specific diseases which are directly linked to the use of asbestoes products:
1. Mesothelioma - which is a rare cancer of the thin membrance lining of the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Symptoms are: shortness of breath, pain in the lower back or side of the chest, coughing and weight loss.
2. Lung Cancer - the most common type of cancer found in workers who have had exposure to asbestos products.
3. Pleural Plaque/Thickening - involves scarring of the lining of the lung. Plaque or thickening is not cancerous, but does impair the function of lung and restricts breathing capacity.
4. Asbestosis - is chronic, non-cancerous fibrous hardening and scarring of the lungs. This scarring can cause lung impairment.
Asbestos Attorney / Lawyer or Lawfirm - Filing a Lawsuit
It is not rare for there to be 5-25 parties that are named in an asbestos lawsuit that are located across the United States. For example, a worker in California may have been exposed to asbestos from product shipped from Forth worth, Texas or from a steel mill plant in Auburn, Alabama. This is why it is very important to obtain an experienced mesothelioma lawyer / Attorney or law firm that knows all of the companies in each state who have responsibility for your asbestos exposure
Patient suffering from asbestos related disease not only needs emotional support but also financial and legal support. There are many things which should be considered while you are finding a lawyer. There are many companies out there which are offering legal support. Our job is to find the best one among them. First thing you have to do is to spend some time with a professional. A professional can help you a lot in legal as well as medical sphere.
The task of a mesothelioma attorney/Lawyers or Law firm is to help obtain compensation for individuals with this life-threatening cancer. The vast majority of cases of mesothelioma are due to exposure to the carcinogenic mineral asbestos, which was used in thousands of products dating over the years. Every mesothelioma attorney/Lawyers and Law firms knows of the devastation that this cancer wreaks on patients and their families.
This site is dedicated to providing important information on asbestos & mesothelioma cancer we assist asbestos patients and families make educated decisions about how to proceed with filing asbestos and mesothelioma claims. Individuals dealing with asbestos issues face a number of challenges, including the tremendous costs of treatment. If you were unknowingly exposed to harmful levels of asbestos, you have legal rights and there is compensation help available for you.
In fact, mesothelioma attorneys/ Lawyers and Law firms have helped asbestos victims across the country receive millions of dollars worth of compensation for:
Medical treatments including surgery and chemotherapy
Hospice and/or palliative care
Pain and suffering
Loss of companionship and earnings