Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that is caused by the inhalation of asbestos. The majority of people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they have inhaled asbestos or similar particles. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that is resistant to heat and most chemicals, making it a popular candidate for use in a wide-range of manufactured goods. In fact, asbestos was such a popular construction material that the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that between 1940 and 1980, twenty-seven million Americans were exposed to asbestos on the job.
Today, according to the United States Department of Labor, an estimated 1.3 million employees in the construction and general industry face significant exposure to asbestos on the job. Recently, exposures have resulted from contact with damaged or deteriorating asbestos-containing insulation, like the insulation used in the former World Trade Center site. Mesothelioma may also be caused by second-hand asbestos exposure. The families of workers who are exposed to asbestos on the job are at risk to develop the disease themselves and should contact a mesothelioma lawyer to protect their rights. When workers who are exposed to asbestos come home with asbestos particles still on their clothing or in their hair, family members can potentially inhale these particles when they come in close contact. Approximately 3,000 people in the United States alone will be diagnosed with incurable mesothelioma each year.
The difficulty in identifying symptoms associated with mesothelioma stems from the diseases propensity to develop inside the body over a long period of time. In some cases, symptoms do not begin to appear until decades after initial exposure. In cases where signs of the disease do develop early, the most common symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, hoarseness, swelling, difficulty swallowing, fever, and nausea. As these symptoms can be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions, it is important to consult a doctor to obtain a correct diagnosis. In order to diagnose mesothelioma, doctors employ a range of tests including X-rays, CT Scans, and MRIs. Once a doctor has diagnosed mesothelioma, a biopsy is taken to confirm that diagnosis. Utilizing this procedure, doctors are able to remove and examine affected tissue and determine the stage (or extent) of the disease. After the diagnosis is confirmed, a number of treatments are used to combat the disease including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and more recently, some combination of the three. Despite the availability of these treatment methods, the prognosis for most mesothelioma victims is poor.
If you or a loved one have developed mesothelioma, it is important to consult with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to discuss your potential mesothelioma lawsuit and preserve your legal rights. Call the mesothelioma lawyers at GWC Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. At GWC, we have the extensive resources and the legal prowess necessary to maximize the value of your case and we offer our legal representation on a contingency fee basis: we dont get paid unless you get money for your case first.
To setup an appointment for your free consultation, call 1-312-464-1234.
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