Amanda Antell  |  March 27, 2014

Category: Consumer News

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asbestos exposure lawsuitTurkish medical scientists have announced that they may have found a way to predict who is most likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma if asbestos exposure has occurred.  Experts agree that if this discovery is proven to be correct, then it could be vital to the future of potential mesothelioma patients.

The medical study was published in The Scientific World Journalearlier this year, regarding how the body responds to asbestos exposure, and how stress levels during the exposure may or may not elevate the chances of mesothelioma development.

If this method were to be proven and then implemented, it could predict the onset of mesothelioma much earlier, because this form of cancer does not appear until years after exposure. This method could also give patients the opportunity to seek early treatment and possibly preventative care.

Mesothelioma is typically not detected until the late stages of the disease, there is no known cure for this disease, and often results in death after months of the diagnosis. Mesothelioma victims and their family members are often able to pursue compensation for these damages through filing a mesothelioma class action lawsuit.

Mesothelioma is characterized by the scarring in the lung tissue caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. These fibers damage and scrape the lung tissue, allowing the disease to form.

The researchers had used several observation techniques to gather data, particular to measure the oxidative stress in test subjects who were exposed to asbestos. The study looked at 80 people who had been exposed to asbestos but had not been diagnosed, 46 subjects had already been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and 50 control subjects who had not been exposed to asbestos at all.

The study found that those with mesothelioma had higher oxidant levels and higher levels of oxidative stress. The subjects who had been exposed to asbestos had lower levels, but still higher than the people who were not exposed to asbestos.  Additionally, higher levels of copper were found in those with mesothelioma, which had been mentioned in previous studies.

The announcement of this study gives hope to the future of mesothelioma diagnosis and prevention.  Experts state that whether or not the study is proven, it provides insight as to how mesothelioma behaves during possible development.

Companies who made building products that included asbestos have been hit with asbestos class action lawsuits in the past because of the serious damage it can cause.  Asbestos class action lawsuit and mesothelioma class action lawsuit numbers continue to grow years after asbestos was banned.

Overview of Asbestos Exposure Complications

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring microscopic fibrous material which is 700 times smaller than a human hair. It was widely used in a variety of manufacturing and construction project materials, peaking popularity in 1973.  According to a 2009 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control of Prevention (CDC), the number of cases of mesothelioma cases has been just appearing because it typically takes 20 to 40 years to reach diagnosis after exposure.

Generally, any of the following materials installed before 1981 are presumed to contain asbestos include but not limited to:

  • Sprayed on fire proofing and insulation in buildings
  • Insulation for pipes and boilers
  • Wall and ceiling insulation
  • Ceiling tiles
  • Floor tiles
  • Putties, caulks, and cements (such as in chemical carrying cement pipes)
  • Roofing shingles
  • Siding shingles on old residential buildings
  • Wall and ceiling texture in older buildings and homes
  • Joint compound in older buildings and homes
  • Plasters
  • Brake linings and clutch pads

When undisturbed, asbestos does not pose a health risk to people working or living in affected buildings.  Once released, asbestos fibers are inhaled by the victim and pass through the lungs, and are even carried onto the victim’s clothing, passing the fibers onto other people.

In general, asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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Join a Free Asbestos Mesothelioma Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or cancer in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or chest cavity, you may be able to take legal action against the companies responsible. Don’t delay – in most states the statute of limitations is two years to file an asbestos lawsuit after you’re diagnosed. Obtain a free and confidential case evaluation be filling out the form below.

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