Mesothelioma is a preventable form of cancer that can occur when those who work in buildings insulated with asbestos inhale the toxic substance. Family members who deal with the clothing of workers in asbestos insulated buildings may also be at risk for this dangerous form of cancer. If anyone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to see a mesothelioma lawyer right away.
What is Mesothelioma?
The mesothelium is the protective membrane that covers many internal organs to protect them from collecting fluid, or sustaining injury. Malignant mesothelioma can damage this lining, and is often fatal. Mesothelioma can almost always be traced back to exposure to asbestos.
The most dangerous thing about mesothelioma is that symptoms may not appear for 20 years or more after exposure. Pleural mesothelioma manifests as shortness of breath, coughing fits, and pain in the chest.
This is caused by a buildup of fluid in the pleural cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma has symptoms like weight loss, and abdominal swelling, strange blood clots, or cachexia.
Malignant mesothelioma is rare, with about one person in a million developing the cancer. It is as common as 30 people in a million in some areas of the UK and Australia. Shipyard workers were the first to show signs of this form of cancer. Populations living near naturally occurring asbestos are also more prone to develop the disease.
Mesothelioma Funds, and Mesothelioma Lawyers
Because mesothelioma is a preventable type of cancer, there have understandably been quite a few lawsuits made to get compensation for mesothelioma related deaths. These lawsuits have been going on as early as 1929. This has changed somewhat, since the 1970s, when many companies began to set up trust fund to cover any workers who may have been affected by exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma lawyers worked hard to win millions for victims of the disease. Many companies were found to have exposed workers to asbestos have also set up mesothelioma funds to help victims and families who have suffered.
An asbestos attorney can tell anyone with a mesothelioma diagnosis whether or not a fund is available to help, or whether a lawsuit should be brought to court to reach a settlement. Some attorneys have a specialty in fighting for compensation for families with a mesothelioma death.
If anyone in the family has worked in a building known to contain asbestos, it’s important to have regular medical checkups to detect any forms of cancer.
Watch out for the symptoms of mesothelioma, and keep good documentation of all diagnoses and doctor’s visits.
