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Toxic Substances
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Asbestos
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ASBESTOS (MESOTHELIOMA) - A Qualified and Experienced Asbestos Lawyer is Essential.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber contained in mineral rocks and used widely in many areas of industry from the mid 19th century until the 1980's when its dangers became understood. There are two methods of exposure to asbestos poisoning: naturally occurring asbestos exposure, and exposure to materials created with asbestos. Prolonged exposure to asbestos causes many types of cancer, most prominently mesothelioma: a rare form of lung cancer affecting the thin outer membrane of the lungs. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos. Other diseases caused by asbestos exposure include lung cancer and asbestosis, also known as pneumoconiosis.
Asbestos became very popular as a building material due to its ability to toughen other materials and also for its fire and electrical damage resilience. It was often used to create plasterboard, mixed with cement, or woven into other fibrous materials to make them flame retardant and stronger. It is commonly found in older homes in floor tiles, oven mats and coils, oven and hot plate wires, and insulation.
If you should find asbestos materials in an older home or commercial building it is extremely important that you remove and dispose of the materials in the appropriate manner as it is easily absorbed into the air if removed in a way that allows splintering or crumbling. It also leaches into the air and water resources if left unattended in a waste pile. Laws regarding the disposal of asbestos products are strictly regulated in order to protect the surrounding environment and limit exposure risks.
It can take as many as 20 to 50 years for the signs of asbestos exposure to appear. Most of the clients that have come to us have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of being exposed to asbestos while on the job. Working in construction for as little as one summer can lead to mesothelioma decades later. Some of the signs and symptoms of both environmental exposure and manufactured asbestos exposure are:
• Chest pain
• Fluid around the lungs
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Wheezing or coughing
• Bloody phlegm
• Stomach pain
• Weight loss
As the diseases progress the lungs can collapse and other medical conditions such as pulmonary embolisms, intravascular coagulation, jaundice, blood clots and low blood sugar can occur. Mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bones, brain, or adrenal glands, however tumors of the lungs are often found in patients suffering from mesothelioma or other asbestos related cancers.
If you are aware of exposure to asbestos, or experience any of the above symptoms is it important to seek medical attention immediately. You should also consult a lawyer to determine if you have a case against a former employer or an asbestos manufacturer. Many suits against commercial builders and other industries, and even government agencies that use, or have used asbestos in the creation of materials, or know of and ignore an environmental hazard, are constantly being heard by the court system. Thousands of new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed every year along with tens of thousands of cases of asbestosis as a result of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos related diseases are catastrophic and affect not only the patient but the entire family and can be financially devastating as well. An attorney can help you get the help that you need and the benefits you deserve to help you pay your medical bills and provide for your family. If you think you or a loved one may have been exposed to asbestos and as a result contracted mesothelioma, asbestosis, or any other form of lung cancer, please fill out the form below for a free evaluation.
Keywords: Mesothelioma Lawyer | Asbestos Attorney | Mesothelioma Lawsuit | Asbestos Lawyer Mesothelioma
Keywords: Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit | Asbestos Cancer Lawyer | Asbestos Lawyer
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