Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
9/11 First Responders with Mesothelioma to Get Help from the Zadroga Act
By Andrea Gressman
Â
Good news for 9/11 first responders who develop mesothelioma: the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Law was passed by congress and allocated $2.8 billion dollars in funding for the first responders – many of which were made ill due to the attacks on 9/11. Previously, these funds were not available to those who develop mesothelioma as a side effect of 9/11 asbestos exposure, a rare form of cancer caused by the inhalation of asbestos. Â
Recent Studies Help to Establish Asbestos Inhalation on 9/11 – Which Could Lead to Mesothelioma
Until recently, there was limited evidence linking cancer, specifically mesothelioma, with the toxins that were inhaled by many in the days after 9/11. That decision has been reassessed by lawmakers after continuing evidence turned up that could link the two. This evidence includes test results proving that numerous cancer-causing substances — such as formaldehyde, leads, and asbestos — were present days after the collapse of the Twin Towers and therefore could lead to the development of asbestos cancer such as mesothelioma.
Asbestos: The Leading Cause of Mesothelioma
Asbestos is considered to be one of the leading causes of mesothelioma, a malignant form of cancer. This cancer forms in the mesothelium , which is the protective lining that covers many of the internal organs of the body, and inhaling large amounts of asbestos is considered to be a leading cause of mesothelioma. It is estimated that approximately 400 tons of asbestos was used in the construction of the Twin Towers.
Patient Advocacy Groups Help Make the Difference in Future 9/11 Worker Mesothelioma Patients
Numerous patient advocacy groups forewarned of the potential for 9/11 mesothelioma due to the large amounts of asbestos inhaled by rescue workers on the scene. These advocacy groups also maintained that first responders who eventually develop this rare form of cancer should be covered by the Zadroga Act. To date, there have been no documented cases of mesothelioma linked to 9/11. However, due to the lengthy latency of the disease it may be years or even decades before the side effects of 9/11 asbestos exposure arise.
On Tuesday, September 11th, the announcement was made by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health that mesothelioma would be covered by the Zadroga Act. This pronouncement was made by the director of NIOSH, Dr. John Howard, who proposed the rule in June 2012. To date, there are almost 50 forms of cancer covered by the act, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, oral cancer, stomach cancer and others, including asbestos mesothelioma cancer.
In addition to the $2.8 billion in funding the 9/11 Act offers, congress has allocated an additional $1.5 billion over 5 years to assist currently 40,000 first responders.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits and Asbestos Class Action Settlements
There are currently thousands of mesothelioma lawsuits that have been filed on the behalf of the many victims affected by asbestos mesothelioma today. If you, or someone you love, have been diagnosed with mesothelioma it is important that you act now.
Visit the Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page and receive a free consultation from a qualified mesothelioma lawsuit attorney today. They will be happy to hear the details of your situation and help you determine whether you have a mesothelioma lawsuit, asbestos lawsuit, mesothelioma class action lawsuit or other case. The treatment of mesothelioma is costly and it is important that you seek financial compensation right away to ensure that you have the monetary resources to get the care you deserve.
Â
Updated September 14th, 2012
Â
{loadposition content_postads}
Â
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
Â
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
