Asbestos exposure can have profound health implications. When exposed to asbestos, millions of tiny particles enter your body and remain there permanently because there is no way to expel them fully. These particles will form a coating over certain organs and their lining. Your body may try to expel asbestos particles, leading to inflammation. Further, the properties of asbestos can cause scarring and inflammation of the lungs that eventually lead to cancer.
It Can Take Decades for You to Develop Lung Cancer
Estimates are that it takes between 20 to 60 years for one to develop lung cancer or mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. This range is extensive, and the exact time frame depends on many factors. Primarily, the amount of asbestos exposure and the duration of the time that a person is around the substance can determine how long it takes for a cancerous tumor to develop. Of course, everything also depends on the individual and their unique health factors. Along the way, it is impossible to know whether your body is in the early stages of developing a tumor.
Only Some People Will Develop Cancer After Asbestos Exposure
Not everyone who has had asbestos exposure will eventually develop cancer. Regardless, the effects of asbestos will remain latent in your body for the rest of your life, and there is always the potential it can cause illness. One study shows that 8-13 percent of people will develop mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure.
Even if it does not result in this type of cancer, other lung-related illnesses can impact you. For example, you can develop different forms of lung cancer or asbestosis, both of which are potentially fatal. Lung cancer may develop over a similar timeframe to mesothelioma, with a latency period of between 10 to 50 years.
Remain Vigilant About Your Health After Asbestos Exposure
After asbestos exposure, you must remain vigilant about your health. You should consider periodically visiting a physician to receive screenings for certain conditions, even if you are not experiencing symptoms. You should also know the early signs of asbestos-related illnesses and certainly see a doctor if you begin to experience any of these indicators. However, it is not your fault if you fail to mitigate your damages because you may not realize you are suffering from an asbestos-related illness. Since these diseases are so rare and potentially deadly, you are not responsible if you do not address your health at first.
With asbestos-related cancers, doctors may only detect that you are suffering from the disease after the tumor develops to a later stage because these diseases are infrequent. You will likely show no signs of any illness for potentially decades. Even when you have begun to experience symptoms that are consistent with asbestos-related cancer, your doctor may not yet know that you have developed mesothelioma or lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare disease that shares symptoms with other less serious illnesses. The doctor may run tests for specific conditions to rule out other diseases, and they may not even know to test for mesothelioma unless you tell them about your history of asbestos exposure.
You Need to Prove Exposure to Asbestos to Win Your Lung Cancer Case
The fact that you may develop cancer many years after asbestos exposure is a complicating factor in your legal case. You will have to go back a considerable amount of time to figure out where this may have happened. You also need to review your employment history and research other lawsuits regarding victims of asbestos for people who were at the same place or exposed in the same manner.
Proving actual exposure is a challenging hurdle for some in their asbestos lawsuits. However, an asbestos exposure lawyer can go back in time and compile the proof you need to win your case. Many other victims are successful in their cases decades after the initial asbestos exposure.
Suppose a doctor has diagnosed you with any illness that is the result of asbestos exposure earlier in your life. In that case, you need to contact an asbestos exposure lawyer today. You can receive financial compensation for your illness that can cover the medical care you need and provide your family with money.
When you hire an asbestos exposure attorney for your lung cancer case, they will do the following:
- Investigate your case and determine where the asbestos exposure occurred
- Determine who you can sue for your injuries
- File a claim against an asbestos trust fund, estimating the damages you have suffered
- File a lawsuit against the responsible party (if they have not gone bankrupt and established a trust fund)
- Negotiate a settlement of your asbestos lawsuit that pays you for the harm that you have suffered (if the lawsuit is a wrongful death case, it should compensate the family for the loss of a loved one and pay the estate for the damages that the deceased person suffered between the time of their injury and death)
- Try your case in court if you cannot reach a settlement agreement.
Knowing your condition, a lung cancer lawyer will make it as easy as possible to avail yourself of the legal process. You may not even have to testify in a deposition or at trial, depending on your health condition. Further, an asbestos exposure attorney costs you nothing out of pocket.
They will work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they secure you compensation for your damages. Then, your attorney will receive an agreed-on percentage of the settlement or award. You will not have to pay them any money if they do not win your case.
A Compassionate Asbestos Exposure Lawyer is Waiting to Assist
When facing a lung cancer diagnosis due to asbestos exposure, it is essential to prioritize your health and well-being. By enlisting the help of an asbestos exposure attorney, you can focus on your treatment and recovery, knowing that a dedicated professional will take care of your legal matters.
Do not wait to seek legal representation – reach out to a reputable lung cancer attorney today to protect your rights and give you the best chance at receiving the compensation you deserve.
