Mesothelioma, a Valid Cause for Personal Injury Allegations

Mesothelioma is a particularly devastating form of cancer. It affects the mesothelial cells covering the outer surface of most of our organs. It can develop on the organs of the abdomen or chest and around 70% of cases affect the lungs. Its survival rates are low, largely because there are no early symptoms, meaning diagnosis often only occurs when the cancer is at an advanced stage.

So why is this devastating illness related to so many personal injury claims?

This is related to its cause. Around 80% of those diagnosed with mesothelioma state that they have been in contact with asbestos. It is thought that the number of patients who have been in contact with asbestos is higher, but that some people do not realise they have been in contact with the toxic material.

Due to its harmful effects since 1999, the use of any of the three types of asbestos has been declared illegal. All across Europe, the use of asbestos was declared unlawful and criminal in the year 2004. However, in many African countries there is no such law, and it is still being used. As asbestos related diseases usually take forty to sixty years to mature, the Mesothelioma cases are still found. Especially the people who were involved in construction or occupations, where exposure to asbestos was high, the disease is found. These poor people have now become awfully sick pursuant to their occupation.

Therefore, anyone who was exposed to asbestos because of their occupation and has developed the disease can make a personal injury claim against their employer. The employer is actually the one who put them at risk and is therefore, Mesothelioma is a valid cause for a personal injury allegation.