Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer found in the lining of the chest and lung, contracted through frequent exposure to the set of minerals known as asbestos. It is a very serious disease, and by the time a diagnosis is made, it is often at a very advanced stage. Each year 2,000 to 3,000 new cases are reported.
Asbestos was used significantly for shipbuilding during World War II to wrap pipes, line boilers, and also cover turbine parts. It was valued mainly because of its resistance to heat, but it wasn't until the 1970s that the dangers of the minerals were revealed.
Exposure is common in several industrial fields in addition to ship building. Factory and construction workers, power plant employees, and even auto repair workers and machinists remain at risk. What makes asbestos exposure so dangerous is that it can take anywhere from 10 to 40 years for symptoms to manifest itself.
Victims should be particularly concerned if they have worked extensively in one or more of the aforementioned industries, and are smokers. Several studies have shown that the smoking coupled with asbestos exposure is particularly hazardous, with the chances of developing lung cancer being much greater than just the individual risks from asbestos exposure. It should be noted, however, that smoking combined with asbestos exposure does not appear to increase the risk of Mesothelioma.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Mesothelioma and have been exposed to asbestos over an extended period of time, contact the experienced lawyers of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz to assess your legal options and file a claim. Call 1-800-223-8897 or contact us to set up your free consultation.
You can also learn more about this dangerous disease by visiting the National Cancer Institute's web page devoted entirely to Mesothelioma.
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