Important Information for VAs
Contact information for Columbia Vet Center is 1513 Pickens St. Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 765-9944.
Do you think you're at risk for asbestos exposure? Look at the details below and find out more about this deadly substance. Primarily, there are some questions one should ask to figure out if exposure to asbestos is an issue. The questions are: Do you think you have had prolonged exposure to asbestos? Are you an immediate family member of someone who has worked in asbestos-related industries? Have you worked somewhere where asbestos insulation was used? Is it possible your exposure to asbestos was in the form of a "burst exposure" (a very heavy concentration) to asbestos for short periods of time? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you may wish to discuss this with your health-care provider.
Certain illnesses are associated with asbestos exposure: Mesothelioma (a cancer of the thin membranes lining the thoracic and abdominal cavities and surrounding internal organs), asbestosis (a serious, chronic, non cancerous fibrous hardening and scarring of the lungs), lung cancer, and pleural plaque and thickening (scarring of the lining of the lung). The most commonly known symptoms of asbestos-related diseases are coughing, coughing blood, shortness of breath, chest pain and weight loss. Unfortunately, these warning signs of asbestos exposure can appear up to 25 years after initial exposure. Annual or even semi-annual asbestos detection tests are recommended.
It is necessary to seek a professional opinion if you presume that you have been exposed to asbestos. Other ways of testing is an x-ray (side and front view of your chest.) Additional tests may include a pulmonary function test, blood work, a CT scan and/or biopsy. At times, doctors speak a language that could be confusing to the layman. As a patient, you should be sure to question your doctor about your health problem. If you don't totally grasp your doctor, have him clarify so you can better comprehend. All people who have participated in the U.S. Armed Forces should receive the services they deserve. Weitz & Luxenberg is committed to making this happen. This includes compensation for potentially fatal diseases that are caused by inhalation of asbestos, such as mesothelioma.
If you or someone you love has developed lung cancer after exposure to asbestos, we want to help. It's never too late for a free case evaluation. The form below initiates the process.
your next step . . .
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