Mesothelioma, a fatal disease, has only been linked to asbestos exposure, which was widely used as a building material from the 1800s until the late 1970s.
This dangerous cancer begins to grow in the protective covering that envelops many internal organs, including the lungs. Even if the median survival rate after diagnosis is less than a year, the duration between exposure and detection could be decades.

The Boston wrongful death attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers are aware of the great complexity and technicality of mesothelioma litigation, which calls for meticulous preparation and extensive investigation. Even getting beyond the hurdle of a defense-favored summary judgment (dismissal) based only on technical legal reasons might be difficult.

Our dedicated legal team has won several claims on behalf of our clients and their families against firms that knew asbestos-containing goods and materials were toxic but did not take reasonable safeguards or issue adequate warnings. Businesses have on occasion, purposely concealed the risk from employees and the wider public.

 

Mesothelioma detection

Mesothelioma is a malignancy that affects the abdomen and lungs. It is so named because it occurs within the mesothelial cells that cover the majority of the outer surfaces of internal organs. This lining is referred to as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma attacks the tissue that covers the abdomen and lungs.

Mesothelioma affects the chest roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the time. Pleural mesothelioma is the medical term for this. When the illness is discovered in the belly, it is referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma.

The sickness is caused by exposure to asbestos. To be more specific, people breathe in fibers that become lodged in the lining of their lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma is most likely caused by breathing in, coughing up, and ingesting certain fibers.

Mesothelioma is thought to be caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestosis, COPD, and lung cancer are also known negative effects of exposure to the substance.

Early symptoms of asbestos-related diseases and mesothelioma include:

The inability to breathe

• Coughing or a change in coughing pattern

• Blood in the coughed-up fluids from the lungs

• Abdominal or chest pains

• Bowel blockage

• Having problems swallowing

• Significant weight reduction

• Variations in blood coagulation or anemia

An early diagnosis of mesothelioma is critical. Although numerous therapy have been shown to increase longevity and quality of life, the condition is fatal and has no known cure. Many individuals still hope for a solution, and medical teams and researchers are constantly working to develop new treatments and therapies.

Asbestos Exposure Sources

Even though receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis may appear to be a new beginning, the damage had already been done for a long time. The typical latency interval between exposure and diagnosis is 20-50 years.

Since the late 1890s, asbestos has been mined and used commercially in North America, particularly during World War II and in post-war construction and manufacturing. This naturally occurring fibrous substance is utilized in the construction sector to improve sound absorption, fireproofing, roofing, insulation, and to strengthen polymers and cement. It was used by shipbuilders as an insulator for boilers, steam pipes, and hot water pipes. The material has been shown to be beneficial by automakers for brake shoes and clutch pads. The chemical was also discovered in adhesives, coatings, plastics, paints, and ceiling and floor tiles.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission barred the use of asbestos for particular purposes in 1978, and the US Environmental Protection Agency outlawed the material’s use for any new purposes in 1989. All previous uses, however, remain legal. Some businesses continue to use it, but they do so at their own risk because the risk is well acknowledged, and some businesses that produced asbestos-containing things have faced considerable legal action. Many persons were forced to declare bankruptcy, and trusts were established so that victims—both past and present—and their families could continue to seek compensation for disease and premature death caused by them.

Many people were exposed to asbestos while working. When workers brought asbestos-contaminated garments home, their families were exposed. The following are some occupations where asbestos exposure was common:

Asbestos miners

• Members of the armed forces

• Mechanics and workers in auto manufacturing

The structural engineers

• Construction employees

• Trustees

• Collect crews

• Dry walls

• Power movers

• Fitters

• Railroad employees

• Workers in the rubber industry

• Shipyard employees

• Warehouse workers

• Employees in industries that produced plastic or heat-resistant textiles or apparel

Consumers were exposed when upgrading their homes.

Even today, asbestos exposure occurs as a result of people and businesses being careless during remodeling and demolition projects and failing to take the required safety precautions to prevent asbestos from becoming friable and airborne.

Workers’ compensation regulations give businesses general compensation protection. Workers compensation benefits can and should be secured early in the process for persons who are likely to have had occupational exposure in order to reimburse medical expenditures and, if applicable, lost wages.

Aside from that, asbestos product manufacturers are frequently the object of legal action. Many defendants are often included since many sources of exposure are most likely to have contributed to the exposure.

It is critical for guaranteeing the correct identification of all relevant defendants and compliance with the statutes of limitations. This means that claims must be filed in a timely way, and the clock normally starts ticking when an asbestos-related illness is identified.