Asbestos is a fibrous material that forms in nature. In the past, asbestos was used to insulate and fireproof many homes because of its resistance to heat, electrical and chemical damage and sound-proofing. Asbestos was used for a variety of functions including wire insulation, building insulation and preventing fires from spreading. Unfortunately, the inhalation of asbestos fibers is toxic to us. Asbestos has caused thousands of cases of lung cancer, mesothelioma and wrongful deaths, and as a result, asbestos was banned by the U.S. in 1989. Despite its ban, asbestos can still be found in older buildings, including possibly your home. If you or a loved one has ever worked with or lived in an environment with asbestos, you should think about hiring an asbestos lawyer to help you file a products liability claim (similar to a personal injury claim).
What Conditions Are Associated with Asbestos?
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos inhalation is vulnerable to many life-threatening illnesses. Unlike a lot of other product liability cases, asbestos “injuries” are often life-threatening forms of cancer. The most likely results of asbestos exposure are: Lung Cancer While smoking is the top cause of lung cancer, asbestos exposure is also a top cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and the most common form of cancer in women. Common symptoms of lung cancer include shortness of breath, coughing, coughing up blood and weight loss. Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is similar to lung cancer, but instead of affecting the lungs directly, mesothelioma is a cancer of pleura (the layer of tissue surrounding your lungs). Most cases of mesothelioma develop in people that worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles or people that have been exposed to asbestos in other ways, and unlike lung cancer, it is not caused by smoking. Common symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath and weight loss. Like lung cancer, mesothelioma has a poor rate of survival and often results in wrongful death. Asbestosis Asbestosis is a breathing disorder that is caused by prolonged inhalation of toxic asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers cause scarring to your lung tissues, which causes shortness of breath. Most people that suffer from asbestosis got it while working with asbestos pre-1989. Asbestosis symptoms usually take at least 20 to 30 years to surface.How Common Are Asbestos Illnesses and Wrongful Deaths?
Every year, about 10,000 people in the U.S. die from illnesses related asbestos exposure. Of those 10,000, about 2,000 will die as a result of lung cancer. Did you know that nearly 200,000 people in the United States are currently living with asbestosis? About 2,000 people will also die from asbestosis. According to the Browne Hypothesis, a paper published in the British Journal of Medicine in 1986, a sample of 105 wrongful deaths caused by asbestos revealed 18 deaths from lung cancer while another 15 died from asbestosis. That means that about one out of every three people who have been exposed to asbestos either have lung cancer or a condition that leads to lung cancer. If the odds are that great, wouldn’t you rather be prepared if you have to file a personal injury claim against a company or housing development that risked your health by exposing you to dangerous asbestos fibers?Who Is Responsible If I Was Exposed to Asbestos?
If you or a loved one has asbestosis or lung cancer, you can hold the following parties responsible for your personal injuries:- Suppliers of raw asbestos fiber
- Manufacturers of asbestos products
- Manufacturers of asbestos safety equipment
Why Hire Our Asbestos Lawyers?
Since 1992, the asbestos attorneys at the Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, LLP. have been helping people just like you deal with the challenges of a personal injury claim dealing with asbestos exposure. We know that the legal process can at times be very confusing, but our experience can, however, help guide you through the process. During this time you may have many questions such as:- I am out of work, how will I recover any lost wages?
- I don’t have health insurance, how will I pay for my medical bills?
- How much money can I recover for my pain and suffering?