A natural microscopic fiber, asbestos was commonly used in fireproofing materials and insulation until the late 1970’s.
Those who worked with asbestos, or used products that contained asbestos were susceptible to inhaling the fibers unknowingly. Once asbestos fibers are in the lungs, they can remain there forever. Over years or even decades, these inhaled fibers can cause life threatening and deadly diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
If you or a loved one has has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other type of lung cancer, our team can help. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
Mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer often caused by asbestos exposure. These cancer cells develop in the lungs and in the protective lining that covers most of the internal organs.
Asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled, and become trapped in the inner layers of a person’s lungs. This is not a type of cancer, and it is treated differently than mesothelioma.
Although asbestosis is not a cancer, the same inflammatory process can lead to cancer development in the lungs.
Some workers who were exposed to asbestos may have additional rights and benefits outlined by the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). This act was passed by Congress in 19-8 to protect railroad workers and provide them with compensation if they are injured on the job. Unfortunately, many railroad workers were also exposed to asbestos. If you or a loved one worked for a railroad company and have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis, please contact one of our experienced mesothelioma attorneys today for a FREE consultation, as you may be entitled to benefits covered by FELA.
Some mesothelioma patients have never worked with asbestos, but they were still diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. This usually happens as the result of indirect exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers can also become trapped in a worker’s clothing, and when workers returned home to their families, these fibers could migrate. Similarly, it could take decades for these family members to experience symptoms of mesothelioma or lung cancers caused by asbestos exposure.
The Zadroga Bill & The World Trade Center Rescue/Recovery Workers Victim Compensation Fund
In December 2010, Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. This act provides health care, medical monitoring and financial compensation to workers who helped with the clean-up after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.
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