Asbestos
Asbestos actually refers to a number of naturally occurring, fibrous silicate minerals mined for their useful properties such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. Asbestos is utilized in many different manufactured goods such as roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper and cement products, textiles, coatings, and friction products such as automobile clutch, brake and transmission parts, fire proofing and other building materials. Asbestos consists of microscopic fibers that typically become airborne when materials containing asbestos are damaged or disturbed. When that occurs, people can inhale the fibers, which can cause a wide range of significant health problems–problems for which Pennsylvania lawyers specializing in asbestos lawsuits can help you get restitution.
The three biggest diseases associated with asbestos are:
- Asbestosis – Asbestosis, a serious, progressive non-cancer disease of the lungs, is caused when people inhale asbestos fibers which then irritate lung tissues. Scarring builds up and it becomes increasingly harder for oxygen to get into the blood. Asbestosis symptoms include shortness of breath and a dry, crackling sound in the lungs when inhaling. Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for asbestosis. Pennsylvania lawyers can help you in the process of making the companies responsible for your exposure help pay for the medical costs you’ll have for the rest of your life.
- Lung Cancer – By far, the disease most responsible for asbestos-related deaths is lung cancer. Those who work in the mining, milling, and manufacturing of asbestos, along with those who use asbestos and its products, are more at risk for developing lung cancer than the general population. Lung cancer’s most common symptoms are coughing and a change in breathing. Additional symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia. You may want to seek out a highly skilled Pennsylvania lawyer specializing in asbestos lawsuits to find out how you can get your medical costs associated with lung cancer taken care of.
- Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart. Nearly all cases are linked to asbestos exposure. Many people are not aware they have developed mesothelioma until years after initial their exposure. Skilled Pennsylvania lawyers who practice in the asbestos niche can be a valuable resource when it comes time to get your mesothelioma-related medical care paid for by the companies responsible for your exposure.
Despite the fact they knew about the dangers from asbestos exposure for several decades, companies withheld information, downplayed the dangers, and ignored the issues at every turn. Only after a series of successful lawsuits in the early 1970s–some pursued by groundbreaking Pennsylvania lawyers–were those companies forced to admit their awareness and responsibility. Those first lawsuits paved the way for modern asbestos litigation. Contact one of the many fine Pennsylvania lawyers skilled in practicing asbestos litigation today. They’ll get you on the right track to receiving the financial support you deserve. You do not have to suffer in silence.
