Mesothelioma and Asbestosis
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been proven to cause cancer and numerous other diseases when inhaled or ingested. Asbestos is most commonly found in older homes, in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coating materials, and floor tiles. It was common practice to add asbestos to a variety of products to strengthen them and to provide heat insulation and fire resistance.
There are six different fibrous minerals that are associated with asbestos. They are amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and the fibrous varieties of tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite. These mineral fibers are harmful if ingested in any manner, therefore material with asbestos should not be handled without being shielded by a protective covering.
The two most common diseases that occur as a result of asbestos exposure are:
Mesothelioma
Asbestosis
Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer where cancerous cells line the patient's body cavities such as the chest, abdominal region or the area surrounding the heart. Asbestosis is a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity.
Asbestosis is a breathing disorder caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged accumulation of these fibers in your lungs can lead to scarring of lung tissue and diminished breathing capacity. The condition often worsens and can lead to disability and even death if exposure to asbestos continues.
Exposure to Asbestos
Even short exposure to asbestos fibers can be dangerous. Typically exposure would have been prior to the 1980s, but the development of c mesothelioma can be up to 40 years or more.Thousands of workers have been exposed to asbestos, and there is also a risk to family members due to contaminated work clothes.
Asbestos fibers have been linked more frequently with these occupations:
Auto Mechanics * Bricklayers * Building Inspectors * Carpenters
Drywallers * Boiler makers * Electricians * Furnace Workers
Glazers * Grinders * Insulators * Iron workers *
Mill workers*Maintenance workers * Operating Engineers * Painters
Plasterers *
Plumbers * Roofers *
Sand blasters *
Sheet metal workers * Steam fitters * Tile setters * Welders
Handling an Asbestos claim is a specialized area of the law. One of the problems an attorney may have in pursuing an asbestos claim is being able to identify the product. As the Plaintiff the law requires that you prove the brand name and manufacturer of the particular asbestos products involved in causing mesothelioma or asbestos disease. Due to the time delay between the exposure and the diagnosis of the disease makes it difficult for many clients to identify the specific brand name of the asbestos product was present a job site 20 or 30 years ago. It is important to have access to a database of product identification materials such as photographs job sites at major industrial centers across the country.
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