What is Mesothelioma?
What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?
What is asbestos?
What types of injuries are caused by asbestos?
What trades and occupations work with asbestos?
What types of product contain asbestos?
When did companies know that asbestos was dangerous?
If I was injured by asbestos, do I have a legal claim?
Is there a statute of limitations on asbestos lawsuits?
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma victims have either inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers which then
travel through the lung and become lodged in the pleura (the thin, saran
wrap-type membrane lining the lungs). Mesothelioma can also develop in the
abdominal (peritoneal) area of the body. Each year 2,500 to 4,000 patients in
the U.S. are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Even small
amounts of asbestos and infrequent exposure can cause injuries.
Exposure to asbestos fibers usually occurs in at-risk workplace environments.
Those at the highest risk are industrial and trade workers. Asbestos fibers are
so toxic, that industrial and trade worker’s families may be exposed to
mesothelioma through particles that cling to the worker’s clothing, shoes, skin
and hair.
Exposure to asbestos can also occur in the home. Asbestos exposure in the home
could have occurred when renovation or repair work was performed. The majority
of building products manufactured today do not contain asbestos, however those
frequently used prior to 1970 do carry exposure risks.
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What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?
The onset of mesothelioma symptoms is usually very slow, and may not appear
until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. The following symptoms are
frequently reported by those with mesothelioma, but are also associated with
other medical conditions.
Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
- Pleural Effusions - One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is a pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. As the volume of fluid increases, shortness of breath, known as "dyspnea", and sometimes pain may occur.
- Shortness of Breath - Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) can be caused by a buildup of fluid in the pleural area of the lungs, and/or the presence of a tumor(s) in the pleural lining. Both conditions can restrict the proper functioning of the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath.
- Chest / Back Pain - A buildup of fluid in the pleural lining of the lungs can create a feeling of fullness and pressure, causing areas of localized pain in the chest cavity and sometimes in the lower back area. Chest pain occurs more often on the right side of the body, as mesothelioma affects the right lung 60% of the time. Only 5% of patients have mesothelioma in both lungs.
- Chronic Hoarseness / Difficulty Swallowing / Coughing up Blood - Chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and/or the coughing up of blood (hemoptysis) are symptoms that are exhibited in less than 1% of undiagnosed mesothelioma sufferers.
- Swelling of the Face and Arms - The swelling of the face or neck areas can indicate a spreading of the cancer beyond the mesothelium.
- Other reported symptoms include fever, muscle weakness and sensory loss, and nausea.
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Pain or Swelling of the Abdomen - Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma usually include abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
- Bowel Obstruction - A tumor in the peritoneum membranes can exert increasing pressure on the organs in the abdomen, leading to bowel obstruction and distention.
- Weight Loss / Anemia - Abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, and the pressure exerted by the presence of a tumor(s) can lead to a loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, anemia, and other 'wasting symptoms'.
- The presence of tumors in the peritoneal tissues of the abdomen can also cause a frequency in urination, night sweats, fever, and loss of muscle tissue.
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What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring rock form of magnesium silicate. It as
mined by corporations for use in a variety of products such as gaskets, rope
packing, brake linings, pipe covering, joint compounds, cement, roofing
materials and other insulation products.
There are six types of asbestos - three of which have been used commercially. These are white (chrysotile), blue (crocidolite) and brown (amosite) asbestos. Over 90% of all asbestos ever used was the white asbestos.
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What types of injuries are caused by asbestos?
When a person breathes asbestos, fibers can become lodged in the lungs. Once
there, they can cause scarring. Asbestos fibers can cause:
Asbestosis: Asbestos can scar the lung and the lining of the lung.
This scarring is known as asbestosis or interstitial fibrosis. If enough
scarring occurs, it can impair the elasticity of the lungs and hamper their
ability to exchange gases. As a result, there is inadequate oxygen intake to the
blood. This impairment leads to shortness of breath. Over time, the breathing
capacity can diminish and in some cases, become fatal.
Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease
in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or
order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.
Lung cancer : Asbestos also causes lung cancer. A person who does not smoke can get lung cancer from being to exposed to asbestos. If you smoked in the past or are presently smoking, and have been diagnosed with lung cancer, asbestos may also be a cause of your cancer. For smokers, asbestos and tobacco act together, greatly increasing the risk of lung cancer. The combination of smoking and asbestos can increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
Other Cancers : Asbestos has also been associated with many other cancers, including cancers of the throat and stomach areas.
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What trades and occupations work with asbestos?
The following occupations present the highest risk for workers exposed to
asbestos fibers:
- Pipe Coverers
- Navy Personnel
- Laborers
- Brake Mechanics
- Auto Mechanics
- Millwrights
- Painters
- Plasterers
- Merchant Marine Seamen
- Pipefitters
- Cement Finishers
- Foundry Workers
- Carpenters
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Sailors
- Navy Yard Workers / Yardbirds
- Paperworkers
- Electricians
- Bricklayers
- Boilermakers
- Machinists
- Lathers
- Insulators
- Welders
- Sheetmetal Workers
- Crane Operators
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Engineers
- Steamfitters
- Masonry Workers
- Longshoremen
- Plantworkers
- Powerhouse Workers
- Railroad Workers
- Inspectors
- Maintenance Workers
- Papermill Workers
- Tapers
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What types of product contain asbestos?
The following is a general list provided by the Environmental Protection
Agency intended to show the types of materials containing asbestos. It does not
include all products containing asbestos:
- Cement Pipes, Wallboard and Siding
- Asphalt and Vinyl Floor Tile
- Floor Backing
- Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
- Acoustical and Decorative Plaster
- Textured Paints/Coatings
- Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels
- Spray-Applied and Blown-In Insulation
- Fireproofing Materials
- Taping Compounds (thermal)
- Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations)
- High Temperature Gaskets
- Lab Gloves and Hoods / Table Tops
- Fire Blankets and Curtains
- Elevator Equipment Panels and Brake Shoes
- HVAC Duct Insulation
- Boiler and Breaching Insulation
- Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections
- Cooing Towers
- Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.)
- Heating and Electrical Ducts
- Electrical Panel Partitions
- Electrical Cloth and Wiring Insulation
- Chalkboards
- Roofing Shingles and Felt
- Base Flashing
- Thermal Paper Products
- Fire Doors
- Caulking/Putties
- Adhesives
- Wallboard
- Joint Compounds
- Vinyl Wall Coverings
- Spackling Compounds
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When did companies know that asbestos was dangerous?
The dangers of asbestos were known to the companies that made these products
as early as the 1920s. However, asbestos was sold and used without warnings up
until the 1980s -- when most asbestos products were banned in the U.S. and other
countries. Alternative materials were available at the time that could have been
used in place of asbestos.
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If I was injured by asbestos, do I have a legal claim?
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you can bring a
legal claim against the manufacturers, sellers, and installers of asbestos
products. Filing a legal claim can help you address the medical and financial
problems that asbestos-related diseases can cause victims and their families.
Victims of asbestos products and their families should carefully select attorneys who are experienced in asbestos litigation. Further, you should hire attorneys who will fully investigate your claim and provide you with individual representation.
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Is there a statute of limitations on asbestos lawsuits?
There are laws in every state which limit the time for individuals and their
families to file claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. If you do
not file your case within these time limits, you will likely be barred from
receiving compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one have been
diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis, it is important that you
contact an attorney immediately. Contact Barry & Loewy LLP today to discuss your
case and legal options.
For more information, please see our page on Mesothelioma.
If you have additional questions, click here for a free Personal Injury claim review.
