Asbestos Exposure - Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Other Asbestos Induced Injuries

Once considered one of the most useful materials for construction and manufacturing, asbestos is now linked to a number of potentially life-threatening diseases and cancers, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung disease. In fact, due to the potential health risks of exposure to asbestos, the mineral has been banned in many countries, though the United States has stopped short of a full ban on the use of asbestos. Still, asbestos exposure claims in the United States continue to increase at a rapid rate, as more and more people are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. These diseases typically have a long latency period and many workers, veterans and other individuals exposed to asbestos decades ago are just now recognizing the hazardous effects of their exposure.

Asbestos Lawsuit Information

Research has shown that asbestos is a toxic mineral, exposure to which can be deadly, and every year, there are more than 39,000 deaths in the United States caused by asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma, the majority of which are workers, veterans and others who worked with asbestos-containing products or were exposed to asbestos on the job. Manufacturers and employers generally have a duty to prevent harm caused by hazardous materials like asbestos, and individuals who have suffered mesothelioma or another serious illness from asbestos exposure may be able to sue for damages. Hundreds of thousands of workers, military personnel and other individuals have already filed lawsuits seeking compensation from companies or employers that caused them to be exposed to asbestos. If you or your loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another disease or cancer following an occupational or environmental exposure to asbestos, you may qualify for financial compensation through an asbestos exposure claim. To start your claim, please complete the online form on this page, or call 866-607-7823 now.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that are resistant to heat, corrosion and electricity. These qualities made asbestos a useful product for insulation in buildings, roofing materials, and clutches and brake linings for automobiles, and asbestos was therefore widely used for decades in a variety of industries across the United States. Unfortunately, when asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can become trapped in the body, causing inflammation and scarring and possibly leading to irreversible cellular damage. In fact, exposure to asbestos fibers is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive type of cancer that affects the lining of the heart, lungs, abdomen and other organs. There is no level at which asbestos exposure is considered safe, but the most damaging effects of asbestos typically occur when a person is exposed to the mineral for an extended period of time. Because asbestos manufacturers and companies that sold asbestos-containing products covered up the dangers of asbestos exposure, millions of people across the country unknowingly exposed themselves to the hazardous material.

Where is Asbestos Found?

Because asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally in the earth, virtually anyone can be exposed to asbestos. However, prolonged exposure to asbestos occurs more often among people who used consumer products containing asbestos, such as certain talcum powder products, or those who worked with asbestos-containing products. In fact, the group of people at greatest risk for asbestos-related diseases and cancers are workers who were exposed to asbestos on the job. According to reports, an estimated 27 million workers were exposed to asbestos from 1940 to 1979, including former construction workers, electricians, auto mechanics, shipyard workers, railroad workers and other workers who came in close contact with asbestos-containing products on the job, as were the family members of workers who brought home asbestos fibers on their clothing and in their hair. And while asbestos regulations in the United States have reduced the risk of workplace exposure, more than one million employees in the U.S. are still exposed to asbestos at work. U.S. veterans, military and navy personnel may also be vulnerable to mesothelioma, lung cancer and other potentially life-threatening diseases from exposure to asbestos, which was used extensively in the construction of tanks, trucks, ships, barracks, aircraft and other military buildings.