Asbestos exposure and the mesothelioma risk for workers and their families

Asbestos exposure may cause mesothelioma cancer decades later. Find out more below and get a free legal review

Understanding asbestos health effects
Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. That risk is made worse by smoking.

Disease symptoms may take several years to develop following exposure. If you are concerned about possible exposure, consult a physician who specializes in lung diseases (pulmonologist).

Exposure to airborne friable asbestos may result in a potential health risk because persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers.

Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lung. Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause serious lung diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.

Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure include:

Asbestosis - a serious, progressive, long-term non-cancer disease of the lungs. It is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that irritate lung tissues and cause the tissues to scar. The scarring makes it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath and a dry, crackling sound in the lungs while inhaling. There is no effective treatment for asbestosis.

Lung Cancer - causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure. People who work in the mining, milling, manufacturing of asbestos, and those who use asbestos and its products are more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing and a change in breathing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent chest pains, hoarseness, and anemia.

Mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that is found in the thin lining (membrane) of the lung, chest, abdomen, and heart and almost all cases are linked to exposure to asbestos. This disease may not show up until many years after asbestos exposure.

How we can help workers whose asbestos exposure caused mesothelioma

Many companies manufactured asbestos-containing products without any regard for the public. If you’d like to hold them accountable for the harm they have caused you or a loved one, please complete the form on this page for a free legal review.

An asbestos lawyer will review your claim and a representative of our firm will be in touch shortly.