Did asbestos exposure at work cause mesothelioma lung disease?

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the lung lining which is often fatal. Many people contract the lung disease after work with asbestos--or being around people who work with it.

Very often, the families of people who develop mesothelioma claim not just for workplace-related sickness, but also if they were in self employment, exposed to asbestos from a partner's clothing or from the environment in which they lived.

Statistics on work-related mesothelioma:

Based on a large subset of the national data, construction work accounted for nearly 15 percent of those who died of malignant mesothelioma.

In addition to construction work, other industries associated with significantly increased mesothelioma mortality include ship and boat building and repairing, industrial and miscellaneous chemicals, petroleum refining, and electric light and power.

Work occupations associated with significantly elevated mesothelioma mortality include plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters; mechanical engineers; electricians; and elementary school teachers.

Asbestos is still used in construction, mainly in roof panels and packing gaskets. So construction workers still are exposed to asbestos during remodeling and demolition.

Asbestos is often in old fireproofing, roofing, vinyl flooring, pipe and boiler insulation, and some roads and cement pipe and cement sheet products.

Thousands of construction workers have died from diseases caused by work with — or near — asbestos without protection, according to OSHA.

And the agency reported that 10,000 people are expected to die each year for the next 10 years because of past exposures to asbestos.

Many construction workers have come forward to say their work environment led to a diagnosis of mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer from asbestos.

If this has been your experience, we may be able to help.

For over two decades, Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. has handled some of the most legally complicated and groundbreaking asbestos litigation in the country. Men and women diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure or secondary exposure may be entitled to compensation from the companies responsible for their disease.

If you would like a free consultation or more information about your legal options, please complete the form on this page, and a representative of our law firm will contact you as soon as possible.