The dangers of mesothelioma

Since the 1940s, millions of people have been exposed to asbestos. According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma, although not all mesothelioma diagnosises are the result of asbestos exposure; however, the two have been linked by the medical industry. The National Cancer Institute defines mesothelioma as "a rare form of cancer in which cancer cells are found in the sac lining the chest, the lining of the abdominal cavity, or the lining around the heart".

Asbestos exposure is more prevalent in certain industries (particularly those that involve heavy production) and include construction, mining, and shipyard, etc. When working in these types of environments, asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and settle in the lower part of the lungs near the pleura. These fibers can cause inflammation and scarring, resulting in lung damage.

Because exposure cannot be immediately detected, many of the thousands of people diagnosed annually are patients who had been exposed to asbestos years earlier. This disease takes decades to manifest, which can be burdensome to the individual and his or her family members because when mesthelioma is detected, the individual is most likely retired and not prepared for the financial stress brought about by this illness.

When a person has been exposed to asbestos, the most common symptoms of mesothelioma that may be evident years later include the following:

·        Shortness of breath

·        Chest of abdominal pain

Less common symptoms include:

·        Persistent cough

·        Coughing up blood

·        Difficulty with swallowing

·        Hoarse voice

Mesothelioma is a serious illness and can be avoided if the cause is due to exposure to asbestos. What is shocking is that employers of these high production industries have always know that regular exposure to asbestos leads to serious illness, particularly cancer; however, the proper precautions have not been administered so that workers in these types of industries are protected from exposure. Proper precaution would include education, protective clothing, and respiratory protection since, as stated earlier, the asbestos fibers are inhaled.

If you have been exposed to asbestos by working in the production industry and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact a personal injury attorney at Jim S. Adler  & Associates immediately. You have a legal right to collect compensation for the financial, physical, and emotional damage caused by your employer's negligence.

Asbestos Lawyer | Consult a mesothelioma injury lawyer | Asbestos can lead to asbestosis | Naturally Occurring Asbestos Can Cause Mesothelioma | Asbestos: Its Best Just to Leave It Alone | Asbestos in the Home | Asbestos-Related Diseases | Asbestos time bomb” ticking in Japan | What is asbestos? | Some call asbestos trust fund FAIR Act unfair | FAIR Act designed to help asbestos victims | Mesothelioma Lawyer in Texas | Texas asbestos lawyer