Mesothelioma, Asbestosis & Other Asbestos Related Illnesses

Exposure to asbestos has been linked to a variety of serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.  Asbestos is often used in insulation of fire doors, around boilers and as lining in fire boxes.  Several products that use asbestos have been banned by the EPA and CPSC.  Even though the health risks of asbestos exposure have been widely publicized, many maritime workers still find themselves in danger.  Within the maritime industry, asbestos is still found on many sea-going vessels. 

Seamen who work in engine rooms and other areas inside the ship are especially prone to severe asbestos exposure, due to poor ventilation.  Longshoremen who load and unload cargo can also be exposed to asbestos.  The more time that a maritime worker is exposed to asbestos, the more dangerous it can be for that individual.  It can take years for the symptoms of asbestos exposure to surface, but the consequences can be grave.

Asbestos exposure can lead to diseases such as mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings.  It can also result in abdominal cancers, lung diseases and other ailments.  Asbestosis is a common illness caused by asbestos exposure and is classified as a breathing disorder that makes it difficult for the individual to breath.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos fibers. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they were exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. Symptoms of asbestos exposure may take decades before they surface. The onset of symptoms is insidious, and patients often experience symptoms for 4-6 months before the diagnosis is made. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is diagnosed in approximately 3,000 people each year. The disease usually affects the pleura, which is the membrane that lines the chest cavity and the lungs. It may also affect the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity, and (very rarely) the pericardium, which is the lining around the heart.

Three Types of Mesothelioma Cancer

• Pleural Mesothelioma
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma
• Pericardial Mesothelioma

Asbestos Lawsuits and Legal Help

Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against a number of different manufacturers of asbestos products under the legal theory of law called products liability. The legal basis of these product liability lawsuits is that asbestos companies failed to warn consumers and workers about the hazards of asbestos. It is a fact that some of these companies have known about the hazards of asbestos as far back as the 1920’s, but continued to sell their products with NO warnings of the danger to the asbestos worker. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma decades later and it can be a very difficult task to determine the source and duration of the exposure. Due to the horrible nature of this disease and the complicated medical issues associated with mesothelioma, establishing proper asbestos product identification is essential. After our law firm obtains the background information and preliminary medical diagnosis reports, we normally meet with the client and conduct an extensive interview to get a full work and exposure history.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits for Jones Act Seaman & Maritime Workers

If the asbestos exposure occurred while working on a vessel, the victim or victim’s family members may be entitled to compensation.  The Willis Law Firm represents maritime workers who have been injured from asbestos exposure and their family members.  Contact the maritime attorneys at Willis Law Firm at 1-800-MARITIME for legal advice.

For more information regarding asbestos, read the informative article, “Crewmembers Exposed to Asbestos.” 

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