Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos through their employment or through asbestos-containing products that they may have come into contact with may be eligible to seek asbestos compensation if the exposure to led to personal injury.

Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that is found in mines. It is known for its use in fire retardant applications, insulation and other uses related to its unique qualities. Many older roofing tiles, floors and construction materials contained asbestos before its dangers were widely known.

When the tiny fibers of the mineral are inhaled or ingested, they can become lodged in the lungs, and this can lead to inflammation and scarring. These fibers can eventually cause cancerous cell changes leading to several types of cancer.

The two most common types of cancer related to asbestos exposure are lung cancer and mesothelioma. While these two terms for health conditions are sometimes used interchangeably, they referred to distinct diseases.

Lung cancer specifically refers to the cancer of the lungs. Mesothelioma refers to cancer of the mesothelial lining of the organs. Oftentimes, it is the mesothelial lining around the lungs where cancer from asbestos exposure develops, but cancer may also develop in the mesothelial lining of the abdomen, heart or other organs.

There is typically a long period of time from when the initial asbestos exposure occurs to the development of lung cancer or mesothelioma. It may take five decades or more for any issues to show up, and because of the long period of time between the exposure and the health condition, patients may not immediately know what exposure led to their cancer diagnosis.

Although the use of asbestos in new products is much less than in previous decades, it is still common in certain industries. The automotive industry, shipbuilding industry and the military have a long history of using asbestos products and many individuals who go on to develop asbestos-related diseases worked in these industries.

Receiving Asbestos Compensation Following Exposure

If you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related injury such as lung cancer, mesothelioma or other type of cancer, you may be eligible to seek asbestos compensation following your exposure to the carcinogen.

Plaintiffs filing successful lawsuits may receive asbestos compensation from current or prior employers as well as any manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. These lawsuits ending in asbestos compensation typically allege that the employer and/or manufacturer neglected to properly warn of the health risks associated with asbestos exposure.

Asbestos compensation from employers or manufacturers may include damages related to medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, loss of spousal companionship and more.

Plaintiffs may also seek punitive damages against the defendants in an amount designed to punish the employer or manufacturer for its alleged wrongdoing.

An experienced attorney can provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to review your specific situation and to help you determine if you may be eligible to seek asbestos compensation as a result of legal action.