Asbestos lung cancer is increasingly common in America, prompting many consumers to file lawsuits against companies which manufactured and distributed asbestos-containing products.

Lung cancer kills more Americans every year than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer combined. The massive number of yearly casualties makes the condition the leading cause of cancer death in America.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which was commonly used between 1800 and the 1980s. The material has a natural resistance to heat, electricity, and chemicals which made it an attractive option as an industrial additive. Workers who were possibly exposed to asbestos include construction workers, firefighters, auto mechanics, factory workers, and military members.

Asbestos lung cancer was first discovered in 1935 when researchers linked asbestos exposure with the development of lung cancer. Years later, the National Cancer Institute confirmed this link and classified asbestos as a known cause of lung cancer. In 1986, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stated that lung cancer is the greatest risk for people exposed to asbestos through work or personal use.

Symptoms of lung cancer can vary but often include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, coughing up blood, fatigue, and chronic respiratory infections. Causes of lung cancer include smoking, radon exposure, hazardous chemical exposure, particle pollution, genetics, and asbestos.

When asbestos products are moved, cut, or otherwise disturbed, they can release microscopic fibers can be released into the air. Experts believe that asbestos fibers can become trapped in the lungs after they are inhaled or swallowed. After these fibers become stuck in the lungs, they can cause inflammation and cellular damage, leading to the development of asbestos lung cancer.

Asbestos lung cancer is often not diagnosed until about 15 to 35 years after initial exposure. The latency period involved with asbestos lung cancer means that many individuals diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer assume that their cancer is caused by other factors such as a history of smoking or family history of lung cancer. However, lung cancer is a proven risk of asbestos exposure, and individuals diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer may be able to hold manufacturers accountable.

Asbestos lung cancer lawsuits aim to hold manufacturers responsible for consumer injury. Many plaintiffs argue that the manufacturers knew or should have known of the risks associated with asbestos exposure, due to research available years before formal regulations existed. The manufacturers concealed this information to increase their profit at the expense of consumers, plaintiffs claim.

Manufacturers are in a position to prevent the development of asbestos lung cancer by informing consumers of the risks and providing safety recommendations for consumers to minimize their risks. For example, consumers did not know that working with asbestos products can result in the release of asbestos fibers which can be inhaled. Had they known, they would have allegedly used face masks and taken other safety precautions to protect themselves.

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with lung cancer and were exposed to asbestos, you may qualify for an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit. An asbestos lung cancer lawsuit could help recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.