It has been in use since the mythological era of Ancient
Greece, but asbestos is a modern-day killer. Widely used
for fireproof insulation purposes in the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries, asbestos has since been found to cause
the deadly cancer mesothelioma along with other lung
conditions.
Occupational Exposure and Dangers To Workers
After noticing that chronic diseases, especially cancers of
the lung such as mesothelioma, were extremely common in
construction workers who were exposed to asbestos, doctors
began making a connection between asbestos and
mesothelioma. Unfortunately, construction and other workers
who were exposed to asbestos from the 1950s through the
1970s, when the dangers of asbestos were more fully
recognized, are still suffering from the ill effects of
asbestos exposure at work. There are now laws and
regulations in place that are designed to prevent workers
from exposure to toxic asbestos; however, these laws cannot
undo years upon years of exposure to this deadly mineral in
the workplace.
Delayed Diagnosis Due To Long Dormancy Period
Workers may have been exposed to asbestos in the 1970s, but
may only just now be developing the tell-tale symptoms of
mesothelioma. This is because the disease is slow to
manifest, which challenges doctors struggling to diagnose
and treat mesothelioma patients in time. Because its
symptoms take so long to manifest and often align
themselves with those of other diseases, mesothelioma in
workers may be misdiagnosed as pneumonia or other diseases
during its early stages.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include:
* shortness of breath;
* abdominal swelling;
* pain of the abdomen;
* blood clotting problems;
* chest pain;
* chronic cough;
* heart palpitations;
* fever;
* labored breath;
* weight loss.
Pleural, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma are all
possible variations of the deadly cancer, with pleural
(lung) mesothelioma the most commonly manifested version of
the disease.
High-Risk Professions
Though the use of asbestos is now regulated by laws and
regulations, the disease's long dormancy period means that
it still has a high number of potential victims.
Professions at a high risk for asbestos exposure and
mesothelioma are those which involved repeated exposure to
asbestos in its industrial forms. These professions include:
* electricians;
* painters;
* insulators;
* carpenters;
* bricklayers;
* construction workers;
* mechanics;
* other tradespeople, especially those who were involved
with commercial or home construction before the 1970s.
The families of these workers were also at risk, since they
may have inhaled or ingested asbestos through the
employee's clothing or hair.
Legal Options
Because of the huge number of potentially affected workers,
there has been a significant amount of litigation against
companies who irresponsibly used asbestos, exposing their
workers to the threat of mesothelioma and other
life-threatening asbestos-related illnesses. If you are
suffering the ill effects of asbestos exposure, talk to
your doctor and determine a reasonable treatment plan. Then
contact an asbestos attorney who is experienced in
mesothelioma litigation. A competent asbestos lawyer may be
able to help you recover damages for the pain and suffering
incurred through asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, defray
the costs of treatment, and provide for your children if
you die of the disease.
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