Asbestos-Based Disease-The Harmful Affects Of Asbestos

by Kirsten Hawkins

What Is Asbestos-Based Disease?

Asbestos-based disease is caused by exposure to asbestos in environments, such as asbestos mills, shipping yards, mines, older navy ships and even homes. Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer and most common, asbestos-based disease. Nearly 70-80% of people suffering from this disease have a history of asbestos exposure. Asbestos cancer or mesothelioma is very difficult to diagnose due to the long gap between exposure to asbestos and the onset of the disease. Every year, doctors detect approximately 2000-3000 new cases of mesothelioma. Family members of workers are also vulnerable to the disease through exposure to asbestos particles from their clothing. Smokers are at a much greater risk of getting the disease.

Asbestos FAQ Guide

Jeff Lakie

If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, you will want to contact an attorney for legal advice. The following asbestos legal FAQ can help answer some of your questions related to asbestos lawsuits.

1. If I am exposed to asbestos should I contact an attorney to file a lawsuit? No, not everyone who is exposed to asbestos will develop an asbestos related disease. If you know or think you have been exposed to asbestos you should notify your physician, who will closely monitor your health. It is not advisable to file a lawsuit until you have actually been diagnosed with a disease or have symptoms related to asbestos exposure.
2. I have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. How soon should I contact an attorney? Once you have been diagnosed with any asbestos related disease, you should contact an attorney immediately. Most states have a statute of limitations that restricts the time frame you have to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations begins once you become ill or are diagnosed with a disease. Diseases caused by asbestos have a long latency period that is not considered when calculating the statute of limitations.
3. If I am ill and unable to work, how much in attorney fees will I be expected to pay? Almost all lawyers who accept these type of cases work on a contingency fee. Their pay is an agreed upon percentage of the amount you receive. If you do not receive any type of compensation, you will not be required to pay a fee to your attorney.
4. My husband/wife died from mesothelioma. Am I entitled to some type of settlement? If a close family member has died from mesothelioma, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. You may be eligible to file a wrongful death suit but only if you are within the time limits that apply to your state. There are also laws regarding who can file on behalf of a family member.
5. I was exposed to asbestos over 25 years ago. The manufacturer has since filed for bankruptcy and is no longer in business. Can I still file a lawsuit? You cannot file a lawsuit directly against the company. However, you may be able to receive compensation from an asbestos bankruptcy trust. Asbestos bankruptcy trusts were organized to pay claims for companies that have since gone bankrupt.

For additional asbestos legal FAQ, contact a qualified attorney to assist you.
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Asbestos Resources a website providing information on asbestos

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of this asbestos based disease include loss of weight, lasting cough, fatigue, dyspnea, and pleuritic pain. Some of the early symptoms may be overlooked, since they resemble with those of other common diseases. In most cases, the disease appears 30-45 years after the patient's initial exposure to asbestos. The disease is more common in men but is not restricted to any sex, ethnic group or race.

Treatment Of Mesothelioma

The prediction is that asbestos fibers lodged in the body cause changes in the cells by a process of irritation, leading to mesothelioma. Once this cancer appears, it will continue to grow until it is treated, or the patient dies. The chances of recovery of a patient depend on the following factors:

§ Age of the patient § Response to the treatment § How widespread the disease is § Location of the disease § Size of the cancer § Microscopic examination

Asbestos is causative of almost all cases of mesothelioma. This is the most dangerous disease caused by exposure to asbestos. There are three traditional lines of treatment for fighting this disease: § Radiation therapy § Surgery § Chemotherapy

If a person suspects that that he may have mesothelioma, he must see a competent doctor soon. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for managing deadly asbestos-based diseases.

If you are suffering from asbestos based disease you can file lawsuits to recover compensation against the persons/companies responsible for asbestos exposure. Consult an expert mesothelioma attorney to weigh the different options for seeking compensation for medical treatment, loss of income, lost earning capacity, pain and sufferings.
About the Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

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