The asbestos litigation is the longest running mass tort in the history of the United States, and since the first asbestos lawsuit was won in the 1970’s, asbestos companies have paid out millions of dollars to workers, former U.S. military servicemembers and others who were exposed to asbestos and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer. There were more than 54,000 documented cases of mesothelioma from 1999 to 2015, and research estimates that as many as 20 million people could end up with the cancer. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and you believe the cancer was caused by exposure to asbestos, contact a knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney today to discuss your legal options.
Hundreds of thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the companies that sold asbestos products or manufactured asbestos-containing materials, by workers and others who regularly handled or worked with asbestos and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can help those diagnosed with the cancer and their loved ones get the compensation they deserve for their injuries, medical expenses and other damages. The thing about mesothelioma is that it is an almost entirely preventable cancer, and many of the thousands of people being diagnosed with mesothelioma every year could have avoided the disease altogether had they been properly warned about the risks of asbestos exposure. Sadly, many of the companies that manufactured, distributed, sold or used asbestos products knew about the dangers associated with asbestos exposure and negligently failed to notify their employees or provide them with proper protective equipment. As a result, individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure are filing personal injury claims against the companies responsible for their exposure, seeking compensation for medical bills and lost wages due to missed time at work, and the loved ones of those who have died from mesothelioma are filing wrongful death claims, seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost income and funeral costs.
“Construction workers, shipyard workers, power plant workers and other blue-collar workers, as well as military veterans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, are the groups most commonly diagnosed with mesothelioma, due to the fact that they were regularly exposed to asbestos on the job. “
The number one cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, which is the name given to a group of six naturally occurring minerals comprised of thin, flexible, needle-like fibers. Once valued for its strength, durability and resistance to heat, fire and corrosion, asbestos was used liberally throughout much of the 20th century, eventually finding its way into thousands of construction and industrial materials, like plaster, drywall and adhesives, and even household products, like talcum powder, hair dryers and spray insulation. Unfortunately, asbestos has since been linked to mesothelioma, asbestosis and other potentially life-threatening diseases occurring in those who were regularly exposed to the mineral at the height of its use.
When asbestos is disturbed, dust or microscopic fibers can be inhaled or ingested and become lodged in the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. Over time, the asbestos fibers can cause inflammation and scarring, which can lead to mesothelioma and other serious asbestos-related illnesses. Exposure to asbestos occurred most frequently among workers in the construction, automotive, manufacturing and other industries who were regularly exposed to the mineral during the course of their employment, and many of these workers were subsequently diagnosed with mesothelioma. Another group being diagnosed with mesothelioma at an alarming rate consists of veterans or retired members of the U.S. military, who regularly handled products made with asbestos, worked on vehicles containing asbestos parts, and lived, ate and slept aboard ships constructed with asbestos materials.
A mesothelioma lawsuit could help cover the cost of:
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare but deadly type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure that develops in the tissue lining the heart, lungs, stomach and other organs. Some common symptoms of mesothelioma include difficulty breathing, unexpected weight loss, pain under the ribcage, and pain, swelling or lumps in the abdomen. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma worked on jobs where they were exposed to asbestos and inhaled asbestos dust or fibers, not realizing that their exposure could pose a risk to their health. Unfortunately, since mesothelioma has a latency period of 10 to 50 years, many people exposed to asbestos aren’t diagnosed with the disease until decades after their initial exposure. Usually, mesothelioma isn’t discovered until the disease is already advanced and the prognosis is therefore generally poor.
