Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is hazardous to human health.  Asbestos was a popular building and construction material for many decades in the United States.  Asbestos causes a type of cancer known as Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is form of cancer that develops in the protective membrane known as the mesothelium, a layer of tissue that covers most internal organs.

There are three types of Mesothelioma caused by the inhaling asbestos fibers: pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial – the cancer of the tissue surrounding the lungs, abdominal organs, and the heart. There is no cure for Mesothelioma, but current cancer treatments – surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy – are available to prolong a victim’s life.

A Hidden Time Bomb with a Long Fuse
Unfortunately, Mesothelioma symptoms may not show up for up to 25 years or more, well after the disease has progressed. This type of cancer may spread from the lungs to other organs such as the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and bowels.

Malignant Mesothelioma, coronal CT scan.

Legend: the malignant mesothelioma is indicated by yellow arrows, the central pleural effusion is marked with a yellow star. (1) right lung, (2) spine, (3) left lung, (4) ribs, (5) aorta, (6) spleen, (7) left kidney, (8) right kidney, (9) liver

Symptoms of Mesothelioma can include:

  • Cough or wheezing
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
  • Respiratory Complications or Difficulty Breathing
  • Pain in the Chest or Abdomen
  • Fever
  • Pleural Effusions
  • Anemia
  • Muscle Weakness

Advanced Symptoms of Mesothelioma include:

  • Chest Pain
  • Weight Loss
  • Respiratory Complications
  • Death

SEROSAL MEMBRANES: DIFFUSE PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA Extensive involvement of the pericardium. (Courtesy of Dr. Samuel Hammar, Seattle, WA)

Diffuse pleural mesothelioma

Who’s at risk?

Construction, railroad, automotive, and shipbuilding industry workers are more likely to have had exposure to Asbestos. Asbestos can be found in any industrial or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000. Long-standing second-hand exposure to family members, such as the spouses and children of those who carry asbestos home with them from the workplace are also at risk.  Living in a home that was built with asbestos, especially if renovations are improperly handled, can expose victims to significant amounts of asbestos that lead to serious and permanent injuries to health.

 Contact Our Asbestos Lawyer to Learn About Your Rights and Available Asbestos Settlement Programs

If you or a loved one suffers from Mesothelioma or Asbestosis, please contact us today for a free confidential consultation. Oliver-Zhang law is dedicated to compassionate representation of mesothelioma victims and their families and has the experience of success in recovering just compensation for personal injuries caused by defective products.  The amount of time you have to bring a lawsuit or a claim varies from state to state once you discover you have been injured.  Delay in filing and missing the statute of limitation can bar your recovery.  In both Maryland and Washington D.C., for example, the time to file a personal injury lawsuit due to asbestos is typically three years from the date you discover the cause of your injury.  In Virginia, the time to file is shorter, only two years.  In wrongful death cases, the time to file requirement is even more stringent.  We represent asbestos victims nationwide and we can assist you in evaluating whether you have an actionable asbestos claim with a good chance of recovery.  We are here to help.