Mesothelioma Lawyers: What is mesothelioma? Malignant mesothelioma is a rare, asbestos-related cancer that forms on the thin protective tissues that cover the lungs and abdomen. A combined approach to treatment is helping people improve their survival and ease symptoms, but many people will need to seek a mesothelioma or asbestos attorney.
Doctors diagnose an estimated 3,000 cases of mesothelioma annually in the U.S. The majority of those are traced to job-related exposures to asbestos. Most people have the pleural type, which forms on the lining of the lungs, but the cancer can also form around the lining of the abdomen or heart.
Although asbestos use in this country has dropped in recent decades, a steady number of people are still getting mesothelioma. That’s because this cancer can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure before symptoms appear, and an oncologist can make a definitive diagnosis.
The people who are most at risk for contracting this disease are people working at an asbestos mine or asbestos processing plant. Working in a high-risk occupational setting, such as the construction or automotive industries. Serving on military ships or facilities built with products containing asbestos. Living in a residential area near an asbestos mine. Disturbing asbestos products during a home renovation without proper safety measures. Aside from risk factors associated with asbestos, exposure to minerals with similar properties to asbestos, a person’s age, gender, other elements may increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
There are thousands of different types of diseases that affect us or our loved ones every day. Some of these diseases may be contracted due to someone else’s negligence. If you have been diagnosed with a disease as a result of someone else’s negligence, please call our office today to discuss your rights at 732-324-7600. Our professional team of attorneys will be happy to assist you with getting started in the right direction.
