Many people, now in their golden years, have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. That’s because the latency period for asbestos is long, so you can develop a disease when you’re in your 60s or 70s, even if you were exposed as a child or in your teens.
If you’ve been diagnosed, it’s crucial to contact an experienced asbestos attorney. An asbestos attorney can help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation for the exposure that occurred years ago.
Speak to an Asbestos Attorney if Doctors Diagnosed You With an Asbestos-Related Cancer
Anyone exposed to asbestos as a child or in the workplace, who has received a diagnosis of an asbestos-related cancer, should speak to an asbestos attorney about their rights for compensation. They can help you receive maximum compensation.
Why Asbestos Was Once a Popular Building Material
Asbestos, once hailed as a miracle mineral for its fire-resistant properties and versatility, has left a trail of asbestos cancer claims in its wake.
For much of the 20th century, the construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing industries used asbestos. Workers in these industries, as well as their families, were unknowingly exposed to a carcinogen.
The Cancer Connection
Unfortunately, asbestos exposure can cause several types of cancer. Therefore, you need a lawyer who understands these cancers and how they develop.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is perhaps the most infamous of asbestos-related cancers. This aggressive malignancy affects the mesothelium, the protective lining that covers many of the body’s internal organs. Asbestos exposure causes most mesothelioma.
There are three main types of mesothelioma:
- Pleural Mesothelioma: This is the most common form, affecting the lining of the lungs. Patients often experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and persistent cough.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma: This type of cancer occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, swelling, and changes in bowel habits.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma: The rarest form, this cancer affects the lining around the heart, causing chest pains and an irregular heartbeat.
The prognosis for mesothelioma is often poor, with many patients succumbing to the disease within a year of diagnosis. However, early detection and advances in treatment can extend life expectancy and improve a patient’s quality of life.
Speak to a Mesothelioma Attorney and Learn More About Your Rights
Always review your options for compensation with a mesothelioma lawyer. They can scrutinize your case so you can receive equitable compensation for your medical care now and in the future.
Lung Cancer: A Double Threat
While lung cancer is commonly associated with smoking, asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing this disease, even in people who don’t smoke or who’ve never smoked. For those who both smoke and have been exposed to asbestos, the risk increases – significantly.
Asbestos-related lung cancer often manifests with symptoms that may include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, or unexplained weight loss. The challenge lies in distinguishing an asbestos-related lung cancer from a lung cancer that results from another cause.
Ovarian and Laryngeal Cancers: The Lesser-Known Risks
In recent years, researchers have established links between asbestos exposure and cancers of the ovaries and larynx.
The historical use of talcum powder contaminated with asbestos-caused ovarian cancer and numerous lawsuits and settlements.
Asbestos exposure has caused laryngeal cancer, affecting the voice box. Workers who inadvertently ingested asbestos fibers, either through direct inhalation or by swallowing the fibers, face an increased risk of this cancer.
Keeping on Top of Your Health Screenings and Exams
The journey from asbestos exposure to a cancer diagnosis is often long and fraught with uncertainty. Many patients report years of vague symptoms before receiving a definitive diagnosis.
Several factors contribute to this delay:
- The long latency period of asbestos-related diseases
- The non-specific nature of early symptoms
- The relative rarity of the cancers, which can lead to misdiagnosis of the disease
Vigilance and regular medical checkups are extremely important for those who suspect they may have been exposed to asbestos. Regular checkups and open communications with healthcare providers about past exposure can aid in early detection.
Diagnostic tools such as chest X-rays, CT scans, and biopsies play critical roles in identifying asbestos-related cancers.
The Importance of Legal Compensation
After a devastating diagnosis, the question of legal compensation becomes critical. The reasons for pursuing legal action are deeply rooted in the principles of justice and corporate responsibility.
Financial Security in the Face of Mounting Costs
The financial burden of asbestos-related cancers is staggering. Treatment costs can quickly deplete savings and push families to the brink of bankruptcy.
Legal compensation can provide a lifeline, covering:
- Medical expenses, including cutting-edge treatments not always covered by insurance policies
- Lost income for both the patient and family members who become caregivers
- Home modifications to accommodate changing physical needs
- End-of-life care and funeral expenses
For many families, legal compensation is the only way to ensure financial stability after an unexpected diagnosis.
Holding Corporations Accountable
Many companies knew about the dangers of asbestos long before they stopped using it or warned their employees. Therefore, filing a lawsuit serves as a powerful tool for holding these corporations accountable for their negligence. It sends a clear message that prioritizing profits over human lives has severe consequences over time.
The asbestos industry’s cover-up of the mineral’s health risks is one of the most egregious corporate scandals of the last 100 years. Through legal action, victims and their families played a major role in uncovering the truth and ensuring that history records the full extent of this tragedy.
Funding Research and Awareness
Compensation from asbestos lawsuits helps more than individual victims. Many recipients choose to donate a portion of their settlements to fund research into better treatments and potential cures for asbestos-related diseases. These contributions have advanced our understanding of these cancers and improved outcomes for future patients.
Legal actions also raise public awareness about the ongoing risks of asbestos exposure. Despite bans in many countries and the U.S., asbestos remains present in older buildings and continues to be used in some parts of the world. The publicity surrounding asbestos lawsuits serves as an important reminder of the importance of proper asbestos management and removal.
The Legal System in Asbestos Cases
Understanding how the legal system works in asbestos cases can be confusing and complex. The long latency period of these diseases means that exposure often took place decades ago, complicating the process of establishing liability.
Many companies responsible for asbestos exposure have gone bankrupt or restructured. This has led to the creation of asbestos trust funds to compensate victims.
Skilled asbestos attorneys play a critical role in these cases.
They have the experience to:
- Trace the history of asbestos exposure, often piecing together employment records from long-closed workplaces
- Collect and review the detailed medical evidence required to prove causation
- Identify all potentially liable parties, which may include multiple employers or product manufacturers
- Access asbestos trust funds and negotiate settlements
For many families, the legal process offers the best hope for justice and financial security.
Contact an Asbestos Lawyer Now
After a cancer diagnosis resulting from asbestos exposure, consult an asbestos attorney at Vogelzang Law. Learn more about your rights and what you can receive in compensation. Contact an asbestos lawyer today.
