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Mesothelioma FAQ

The following questions and answers will help you understand the history of asbestos and the diseases it causes. Learn who is at risk for mesothelioma, about its symptoms and how doctors diagnose the disease. Get information about treatments for asbestos-related diseases and the relationship between smoking and asbestos illnesses.

First reported of death by asbestos

The first reported death caused by asbestos exposure was documented in medical journals in 1924.

Asbestos through ingestion

Ingesting microscopic fibers of asbestos, which invade organs such as the esophagus, larynx, oral cavity, stomach, colon and kidney, can cause mesothelioma.

Exposure by military personal

Hundreds of thousands of military personnel have been exposed to asbestos and many of these veterans are now showing symptoms of asbestos-related disease. Some veterans have been denied the right sue the government for injuries under governmental immunity but there may be legal options available to them against providers of military building material and other companies in the seller distribution chain.

Number of people diagnosed

Around three thousand Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.

Rate of developing cancer

Victims of exposure to asbestos have a 50-90% greater chance of developing lung cancer than the general population.

The first asbestos trial

The first product liability lawsuit claiming asbestos injury was tried against Johns-Manville, Fibreboard, Owens Corning Fibreglas and several other asbestos manufacturers.

Symptoms take time to develop

It is estimated that over 8 million American workers have been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma can remain dormant in a person for many years and the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer can show up anywhere from fifteen to fifty years after exposure. Generally, the symptoms manifest within thirty to fifty years after exposure so the disease is seldom seen in younger people. The American Medical Association believes that cases of asbestos-related disease will increase significantly over the next 30 years.

Settlement value of asbestos legal case

Settlements and verdicts in asbestos cases vary wildly. The can be affected by the laws of the state in which the case is filed and the particular facts of the case. Plaintiffs who have already developed an asbestos-related disease tend to recover far more in settlements or verdicts than those who have only been exposed to asbestos. A RAND Corporation study in 2001 found that, nationwide, the average settlement for someone who had developed mesothelioma was $1,000,000 and the average trial verdict for a mesothelioma sufferer was $6,000,000.

Special rules for certain occupations

As an example, railroad workers who contract mesothelioma as a result of exposure on the job may have a case against their employers under the Federal Employees Liability Act (FELA).

New laws threaten recovery for victims

The United States Senate has been trying to limit the amount of compensation that victims can recover for asbestos-related diseases. The insurance lobbies have are exerting substantial pressure on lawmakers to minimize their legal responsibility to asbestos victims.

Types of occupations linked to asbestos

Laborers in the following occupations have a relatively high risk of developing mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos products.
Automotive mechanics
Boiler makers
Bricklayers
Building Inspectors
Carpenters
Electricians
Insulators
Iron workers
Longshoremen
Merchant marines
Millwrights
Painters
Plasterers
Plumbers
Roofers
Railroad workers
Welders

Secondary Exposure To Asbestos

Family members of laborers who have worked with and around asbestos products have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. This is because workers return home with asbestos dust and fibers in their hair and on their clothes and the other residents of the household inhale the deadly substances.

Unfortunately, because so many different industries used asbestos over the years a vast array of locations, like churches and schools, have been affected. Now, even people with low-to-moderate exposure to asbestos are being diagnosed with mesothelioma and asbestosis. Asbestos litigation is usually the only avenue of redress available for these sufferers. For the victim and the family, filing an asbestos lawsuit may be their only way of recovering any compensation for what they have lost. If you think you have been damaged because of exposure to asbestos you should contact a qualified asbestos lawyer today.

Military Veterans

Military veterans are often at risk of developing mesothelioma because many of them worked on building war ships that were laden with asbestos-based insulation and fire retardant materials. Experienced asbestos lawyers will be familiar with the issues common to these cases.