Individuals who developed lung cancer after asbestos exposure may be entitled to legal compensation.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Close to 200,000 American are diagnosed with lung cancer annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more Americans die from lung cancer than from any other type of cancer. Of those, 4,800 deaths annually are attributed to asbestos lung cancer.

Lung cancer can have numerous causes and is generally the product of many factors rather than one independent factor. For example, the vast majority of lung cancer cases are caused by tobacco smoke, but the asbestos and lung cancer risk is significant.

Virtually all asbestos lung cancer diagnoses are associated with tobacco smoke. Because of this, companies responsible for asbestos exposure often try to downplay the asbestos and lung cancer risk by arguing that the lung cancer is caused only by tobacco smoke.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which forms in thin, fibrous crystals. Asbestos fibers are naturally resistant to heat, electricity, and chemical corrosion. These fibers can be processed and pulled into a fluffy consistency which diversifies its uses to include construction, textiles, and furniture.

Because of its characteristics and versatility, asbestos is an effective insulator and can be mixed with other materials to make them stronger. In the past, the large majority of industrial materials took advantage of these qualities. Despite its numerous useful applications, asbestos is highly toxic and is no longer the go-to material in industrial work.

Asbestos exposure can occur on the job or in the home from second-hand exposure. If a family member worked with asbestos and brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, there is a risk for lung cancer. Certain occupations have a higher asbestos and lung cancer risk including U.S. Navy, U.S. military, shipyards workers, auto mechanics, paper mill workers, construction workers, textile workers, insulation installers, sheet metal workers, roofers, toll collectors, tilers, linotype technicians, and plumbers. Many of these workers were exposed to asbestos when it was used in industrial work but may not understand the asbestos and lung cancer risk.

When materials containing asbestos are disturbed, small asbestos fibers are released into the air where they can be inhaled. According to the National Cancer Institute, these fibers can accumulate in the lungs and cause scarring and inflammation. The continued buildup of asbestos fibers in the lungs increases the risk of respiratory conditions such as asbestosis and pleural disorders. Asbestos classified as a known carcinogen by a number of national and international agencies. These agencies have shown sufficient evidence that asbestos causes mesothelioma and cancers throughout the body.

Billions of dollars in compensation has been awarded to plaintiffs in asbestos lung cancer lawsuits. Hundreds of companies are facing asbestos lawsuits and asbestos class actions lawsuits from former employees and family members. These companies include: Armco, B. F. Goodrich, Carnegie Steel, Catepillar Tractor, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, Jones & Laughlin, Kaiser, Shell Oil, Texaco Oil, Westinghouse, and more.

It’s imperative that victims seek legal counsel to help them prove the connection and bring the offending company to justice. If you or your loved one worked in asbestos related fields and were diagnosed with lung cancer, you may have a legal claim and be entitled to millions of dollars.