Asbestos is a collection of some natural silicate minerals which are composed of very thin crystal fibers. They were often used in construction workplaces for certain materials, as well as insulation in some people’s own homes. Inhalation of asbestos can leave those particles there forever, which can cause several cancers or diseases. Unfortunately, some of these cancers or diseases are terminal, such as mesothelioma.
At Mike Agruss Law, we have helped thousands of clients to seek justice and compensation for personal injuries, and you won’t owe us a penny for our services unless we win your case. If you or a loved one has been hurt by asbestos due to negligence, contact our office today for a free consultation.
Facts and Statistics About Asbestos
- The World Health Organization (WHO) found that about 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos in the workplace while 1.3 million American workers are still exposed.
- The Mesothelioma Justice Network listed, in order, the top 10 occupations that are most at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases. Among the riskiest are shipyard and on-ship employees, welders, foundry and metalsmiths, steel-mill employees, construction workers, and railroad staff.
- The WHO reported that in 2004, asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis from occupational exposures resulted in 107,000 deaths worldwide. This is not to mention the several thousands of other asbestos-related diseases and non-occupational exposures.
- Mesothelioma affects people age 85 and older more than any other age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
- The CDC projected mesothelioma deaths to decline after 2005, however, it increased by 5% from 1999-2015. It is also affecting younger age groups for some reason.
- According to the Kansas City Industrial Council, more than 4,000 asbestos lawsuits were filed in the U.S. in 2017.
Common Types of Asbestos Diseases
One of the scarier parts of asbestos is that this carcinogen remains dormant for years or decades after exposure and appears as a deadly disease in people’s later years of life. Many industrial occupations used it in their products and processes due to its useful properties. However, it was later found that it would cause a number of extremely deadly diseases and cancers. Some of the most common ones include:
- Mesothelioma – This is a rare but aggressive and malignant form of cancer that begins by affecting the tissue around the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles. Treatment cannot cure this condition.
- Asbestosis – This is a chronic lung disease that appears many years after exposure. It puts you at risk of lung cancer. There is no treatment to completely reverse the effect of asbestos that caused this disease.
- Lung cancer – When asbestos is lodged in the lining of the lung in its tissue, malignant lung cancer can result. Even the recommended aggressive treatment cannot fully cure this cancer.
- Also, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer are directly related to asbestos exposure. Pharyngeal cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer have been known to possibly be linked to asbestos exposure.
- Pleural effusions – This is a buildup of fluid between the layers of the lung’s membrane. It is not life-threatening, but it must be treated as soon as possible to prevent recurrence and/or complications.
- Pleural plaques – Often, after asbestos exposure, calcified buildups form on the lungs’ membranes. This should be treated as soon as possible and can put people at a higher risk of cancer.
Who Is Liable for My Damages?
One question that may be on your mind as you contemplate taking legal action for your life-threatening diagnosis is: who is liable for my damages? Usually, asbestos exposure claims fall under product liability law. Product liability law varies by state, but generally, it states that a victim can make a claim against a product manufacturer when it was defective or had no warning of containing asbestos products. This would be based on negligence since the manufacturers negligently released a dangerous and life-threatening product to the public.
As we know, many companies and industries used asbestos for what were thought to be very useful properties in the field, which has been thoroughly dismissed when compared to its negative attributes. Employers have a duty to provide safe work environments for their employees. They must train them and make sure they are qualified enough to be doing their job so that they do not face any potential risks. If there are risks, employers must warn their employees about it… this includes asbestos exposure. If they fail to do any of these and it results in you being exposed, your employer can be liable for compensating you for your damages.
After a diagnosis for a disease or cancer due to asbestos exposure, you may be angry, disappointed, fearful, and hopeful all at once. You may be worried about your future or medical bills, and that is why we are here to assist you in handling this process together. Your lawyer will be able to use their resources for more information that will help you by conducting investigations on your case, consulting experts in the area of asbestos exposure and medical professionals, and negotiating a settlement for you to compensate you as you fully deserve. If need be, we will take your case to trial to make sure that you get justice.
Contact Mike Agruss Law, Today
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,000 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 135 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, email us at [email protected] or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
