Asbestos Jobsites

In the time of the Industrial Revolution, asbestos found wide application due to its fire retardant properties. It was only in the 1970s that its hazardous side effects came to be known and the use of asbestos was banned.

Mesothelioma is a rare disease that stems from exposure to asbestos dust released from pipes, ceiling tiles and many other building materials. People who were exposed to asbestos in very small amounts and for extremely limited periods of time as well as in those with heavy and long-term exposure are found to be equally affected.

It is proved beyond doubt that asbestos acts as a complete carcinogen in the human body. A battery of scientific studies and extensive research efforts including gathering comprehensive information from many clinical studies have noted observable links between asbestos exposure and a range of serious diseases.

Jobs That May Have Exposed You to Asbesto

The following job sites and professions are considered dangerous in relation to availability of asbestos materials:

• The Navy - Ship and Boat Yards
• Boilers and Turbines
• Mills – Steel, Aluminum, Textile
• Railroads, Power Plants, Oil Refineries
• Cement Factories, Chemical Plants, Manufacturing Plants
• Construction Sites – old and new
• Automobile Garages
• Buildings – Offices, Schools, Hospitals
• Crane Operator, Construction Forklift Operator
• Mechanic, Plumber, Pipefitter
• Millwright
• Boilermaker
• Carpenter
• Shipbuilder, Deckhand, Seaman
• Inspector
• Insulator
• General Laborer
• Steamfitter
• Electrician
• Oil Field Worker
• Roofer Pipe Cutter
• Welder, Rigger, Machinist
• Iron Worker, Steel Worker
• Grinder Technician
• Oiler Longshoreman

Get Tested For Asbestos Cancer Immediately

If you have been employed at any of the above-mentioned sites at any point in your career, it is advisable to approach your doctor to be tested for asbestos cancer without delay. You may be already having symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, pain in the chest, anemia, blood in the sputum, weight loss, abdominal swelling and ascites that could be precursors of the disease. Some tests that you may be asked to take will include:

• Chest X-ray
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Biopsy
• Blood tests
• Pulmonary function tests

Time is of an essence for mesothelioma patients as the symptoms have gestation periods from 20 to 50 years, often appearing too late to offer effective treatment. Further, repeated check-ups and asbestos disease testing are crucial tools for ruling out devastating and fatal asbestos-related health problems.

Diagnosed with an asbestos disease? Get in touch with a doctor!

If your consultation with your physician shows positive signs of mesothelioma infection, you will need to talk to an asbestos specialist right away. There are a large number of types of the disease, each with differing prognosis and treatments; treatment will also depend on factors such as location of the disease, staging, physical fitness and age of patient and mindset. Treatment could range from the aggressive combination of mesothelioma surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to the merely palliative and symptomatic. The earlier you start addressing the pertinent issues and coping with your disease, the better the chances of survival and improved quality of life.

Get help from asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers!

Other than medical help, you will also need the support of an experienced asbestos attorney. This is the name given to lawyers who specialize in handling mesothelioma litigation and claims. Some criteria to decide on the right lawyer for you include the following:

1. Experience: Ask how many cases of mesothelioma he has handled before yours. Familiarity and prior knowledge could save precious time which is anyway in short supply for a mesothelioma patient.

2. Time: Does the attorney listen to you with attention or is he busy attending calls? You should feel that you are important to your attorney, not just any other case.

3. Fees: Choose a lawyer who is willing to take a percentage of the compensation rather than one who expects hourly billing.

4. Honesty: It is better to know your options in the beginning than learning them too late in the day. A forthright lawyer is a good investment, even if it’s a bitter pill to take.

Drawing on the pertinent expertise could spell the difference between being able to afford the best treatment for this man-made, preventable disease. If you were unknowingly exposed to asbestos, filing a claim is your right. Talk to a mesothelioma lawyer and learn how to sue the company or organization responsible for your condition. You could be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit if you are the patient yourself or a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one succumbed to mesothelioma. Establish the necessary eligibility to file a claim with the attorney’s help and learn the statute of limitations rules applicable in the state of your residence. For instance, some states mandate a period of one year from the time of diagnosis of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease to file a claim; others allow up to three years. So set the ball rolling today.