Mesothelioma Lawyers
Originally hailed as an uncommonly useful material used in a variety of applications to make things lighter, stronger, fire resistant, more flexible, and other desirable attributes, we know now that asbestos is a profoundly hazardous substance that causes many health problems. One of the most well-known diseases caused by exposure to asbestos is mesothelioma and it affects over 2,000 people each year in the U.S. and many thousands more throughout the rest of the world.Sadly, it is estimated that millions of people all over the world have been exposed to asbestos in their daily lives and medical science is still discovering how this exposure affects their health and the health of those around them. As awareness has grown about the disease and the numbers of victims has risen, companies that were lax about controlling asbestos in the workplace have faced litigation from victims represented by law firms and mesothelioma lawyers specializing in bringing mesothelioma cases to court.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer which creates malignant cells in the body’s mesothelium, the membrane that covers many of the body’s internal organs. The cancer cells begin to develop and multiply and the cancer is capable of spreading from the source to other organs and areas of the body. Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, anemia, fever, abnormal blood clotting, and others depending on the cancer’s location.What causes Mesothelioma?
The single biggest cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos fibers in the home or workplace. Although there have been recorded cases of mesothelioma where the victim has had no asbestos exposure, the vast majority of victims have worked with or worked in an environment where asbestos dust was present.Who is at Risk for Mesothelioma?
The vast majority of mesothelioma victims are people who have worked in industries such as mining, construction, shipbuilding, heating and cooling installation, and places where asbestos is processed and produced. The risks of contracting mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases scale with the length of time a worker has been exposed. There is additional evidence that suggests that people living with workers in asbestos-related industries may also be at increased risk from coming into contact with dust and fibers brought into the home on workers’ clothing.What to do about Mesothelioma
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, it is highly recommended that you contact a mesothelioma lawyer with experience bringing mesothelioma cases to trial. A mesothelioma settlement can help to defray medical expenses and provide for your family in the event of your passing.Fighting Mesothelioma: Asbestos Database
The fight against mesothelioma is a global struggle. Although the first wave of mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases has struck in the United States, other industrialized countries around the world are coming to terms with the size and scope of the mesothelioma epidemic.In the United Kingdom, mesothelioma awareness organizations are campaigning for the creation of an asbestos database. The database would contain information about the asbestos materials found in public buildings.
A recent increase in the number of mesothelioma cases found among British teachers and other public workers was one of the primary motivations that led to the cry for the establishment of the asbestos database.
In previous years, the United Kingdom saw mesothelioma victims who fit the same general lifestyle profile as mesothelioma victims in the United States: miners and skilled tradesmen who worked directly with asbestos or asbestos containing materials. Recently, the deadly cancer has begun showing up in professionals, such as teachers, health care workers and office personnel who work in public buildings. Many of these buildings were constructed before 1986, when asbestos use was largely discontinued in the United Kingdom.
In the United States, no national database for asbestos in public buildings exists. Public buildings are required to conduct a survey of building materials to determine what if any asbestos risk building occupants will face, but this information is not shared at the national level.
Critics of the United Kingdom proposal point to the costs involved in setting up an asbestos database for all public buildings. They claim that the database would be excessively expensive to design and maintain.
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