What everyone needs to know about Mesothelioma

You’ve probably seen at least a few of the many legal advertisements offering help for people with mesothelioma. But what exactly is this disease, and how is it contracted?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs (mesothelium). Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable form of cancer. An online resource, mesothelioma.com explains that there are three recognized types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease, accounting for roughly 70% of cases, and occurs in the lining of the lung known as the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum, and pericardial mesothelioma originates in the pericardium, which lines the heart.

In this blog, we’ll focus on why an individual should hire an attorney if they have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos.  While asbestos was banned in the late 1970s, people today still suffer from illnesses related to asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma.  Even if you were exposed to asbestos years ago, you can now develop symptoms because of the body’s inability to be able to expel asbestos fibers that have been inhaled.  Although products today can still be made with small amounts of asbestos, the regulations that control its use and manage its removal from older buildings are very strict.

At its peak, asbestos was used in a lot of residential and commercial products including brake pads, automobile clutches, roofing materials, vinyl tile, cement piping, corrugated sheeting, home insulation and some potting soils.  So, auto mechanics and those in building trades are at risk.

Many industrial workers are also at risk and have been exposed to asbestos insulation, pipes, boilers, and many other products.

Even family members living with workers exposed to asbestos can suffer from asbestos related illnesses, including mesothelioma.  Second-hand exposure occurs when a household member brings home asbestos fibers on their clothing.

One of the most obvious sources of asbestos exposure is an asbestos mine or processing center. Asbestos mines were prominent in Georgia, Washington, California, and Oregon, as well as Quebec, Canada.  While there are no existing asbestos mines in West Virginia, coal miners can suffer from asbestos exposure.

Many Navy Veterans have also been diagnosed with mesothelioma because a large number of Navy Ships were constructed with asbestos. Veterans who served in shipyards between World War II and the Korean War have the highest risk of exposure to asbestos.

Should you consider legal action? If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, please call us. Our toll-free number is 1-877-526-3457. Or, fill out this form so that we may contact you at a later time.