Asbestos used to be a very popular and widely used group of minerals. Many buildings, automotive and shipbuilding products were made of asbestos, as its properties make it heat- and corrosion-resistant. But industries that manufactured products containing asbestos put their workers at risk of developing life-threatening ailments including Asbestosis, Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma.
What is Mesothelioma?
People who were exposed to asbestos are susceptible to developing rare conditions that can only be attributed to exposure to this harmful compound. Inhaling asbestos leads to mesothelioma which is a type of cancer that primarily affects the lungs and will eventually affect other organs in the body. Those who are at risk of developing this condition are men and women working in factories, warehouses, and sites where asbestos was present. It takes up to 40 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma (as well as asbestosis and lung cancer) to become apparent but by the time a patient is diagnosed, the disease will advance very quickly.
There are 3 types of mesothelioma:
1. Pleural Mesothelioma – This condition accounts for 70% of all mesothelioma patients. This condition affects the pleura of the lungs (lining).
2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma – When the peritoneum or the abdominal cavity lining is affected, it is referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma.
3. Pericardial Mesothelioma – This condition originates in the heart lining, also known as pericardium.
Mesothelioma differs from most cancers in that its only known cause is asbestos exposure. There’s now evidence to prove that companies which used products containing asbestos were aware of the dangers it posed to their workers however they failed to issue warnings or safety precautions to protect them. Between 1979 and 2001, as many as 43,000 people have died from mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America estimates that as many as 30 million people in the United States have been exposed to this harmful compound in the last few decades. Most were exposed in their place of work while others were exposed in their school or any place that had asbestos.
The incidence of Mesothelioma is highest among the following workers:
• Plumbers
• Pipe-fitters
• Automobile makers/builders
• Construction workers
• Factory workers
• Shipbuilders
• Maintenance workers
• Dental factory workers
Get a Mesothelioma Injury Attorney You Can Trust
The mesothelioma lawyers at Ozols Law Firm understand how utterly devastating it can be to learn that you or a loved one has mesothelioma. Our lawyers have been representing many clients who were victims of asbestos exposure in San Diego. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related condition, we are here to help. We will be glad to discuss your legal rights and options with you, and work hard to prosecute your case in your behalf.
To get started, please fill out our online form so one of our mesothelioma lawyers can review it personally, at no cost to you.
You may have legal rights to a financial compensation if you or a family member has developed mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer due to asbestos exposure. Let our San Diego Injury and auto accident attorneys evaluate your case so we can advise you on what legal remedies are available for your specific situation. There are time restrictions on statutes of limitations for those who want to pursue a claim for damages. If you believe you have a case, call our office as soon as possible.