Were you harmed by exposure to asbestos? Our mesothelioma lawyers may be able to help. Read the FAQs below for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on asbestos exposure:

What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral. It is composed of silicon, oxygen, hydrogen and other metal ions. Asbestos fibers are strong, flexible and will not burn. They also insulate very well and do not break down easily. Asbestos has been used in older plastics, paper products and floor tiles. In most cases, asbestos fibers are mixed with a material that binds them together, producing asbestos containing material, otherwise known as ACM. Many industrial products are made of ACM, including sealants, cement pipe and insulation.

Does asbestos exposure cause health problems?
Yes. Four specific diseases have been linked to asbestos exposure: Asbestosis (a serious, chronic, non cancerous fibrous hardening and scarring of the lungs), mesothelioma (a cancer of the thin membranes lining the thoracic and abdominal cavities and surrounding internal organs), pleural plaque and thickening (scarring of the lining of the lung) and lung cancer.

Who can be affected by asbestos exposure?
Even though the average asbestos levels in buildings today seem to be very low, an estimated 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. The heaviest exposures are in construction, primarily during the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition.

Workers are also likely to be exposed during the manufacturing of asbestos products like textiles, insulation, automotive brake and clutch work. Asbestos-related illnesses have also occurred in shipyard workers, fire fighters, school custodians and even meter readers.

How long does it take for asbestos symptoms to affect an exposed person?
Asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases usually have a long latency period, often 15 to 30 years or more after initial exposure. Because of the latent nature of these diseases, you should have regular screening tests. Also, because asbestos-related diseases are progressive, when a respiratory problem arises and you have had potential exposure to asbestos, you should immediately be tested.

What are the symptoms of harmful asbestos exposure?
The most common symptoms of asbestos exposure are coughing, coughing blood, shortness of breath, chest pain and weight loss. Unfortunately, the detectable symptoms of asbestos exposure can appear up to 25 years after exposure. Annual or even semi-annual asbestos detection tests are recommended.

What medical problems can arise from asbestos exposure?
A few of the serious medical problems that can occur are deep breathing difficulties, chest infections, gastro-intestinal problems, asbestosis (asbestosis scarring can either cause lung impairment or heart disease), mesothelioma (virtually all cases of mesothelioma are linked with asbestos exposure) and lung cancer.

What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed to asbestos?
The first thing to do if you suspect you’ve been exposed to asbestos is to be tested for asbestos related conditions. Weitz & Luxenberg recommends that you consult your primary care physician for an immediate x-ray referral. If you receive a diagnosis of asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer, our asbestos lawyers may be able to help you secure financial compensation for your family.

The asbestos lawyers at our firm have succeeded in securing millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Beyond those million-dollar awards, still tens of thousands of clients have been able to recover lesser sums but nonetheless money that helps pay for substantial portions of medical costs and other related expenses. Our asbestos lawyers have even obtained financial awards from asbestos companies that were bankrupt.

If you would like a free consultation or more information about your legal options for a mesothelioma lawsuit, please complete the form on this page, and a representative of our mesothelioma law firm will contact you as soon as possible. We also provide a wide variety of information throughout our site, such as pages on our mesothelioma settlements and pages on specific jobs associated with mesothelioma. A mesothelioma lawyer from our firm is here to help.