Asbestos exposure has long been cited as the sole cause of mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer, and asbestos is also capable of causing various other adverse health effects. However, despite the steps taken to reduce asbestos exposure, is asbestos still a concern today? The reality is that while asbestos is no longer used anywhere near as widely as it was in the past, yes, asbestos continues to be a health risk in many places throughout the United States.
Asbestos is composed of very thin, sharp, and light fibers. Whenever any material made with asbestos becomes damaged or is improperly removed, these fibers are released into the surrounding air. If the air is still enough, these fibers can remain suspended for days. When these fibers are breathed into the lungs, the sharp asbestos fibers embed in the lung tissue and will gradually begin to cause mesothelioma to develop.
During the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, asbestos was a widely used construction material due to its insulating and fireproofing capabilities, and the health risks of asbestos did not become apparent for many years. This is due to the long latency period that mesothelioma has to develop noticeable symptoms. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma discover they were exposed decades in the past, making it hard for many of them to determine the sources of exposure.
Mesothelioma takes a long time to appear in noticeable ways, and many people who have the condition initially mistake their symptoms as signs of less serious conditions. However, once a person has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it usually means that their condition has reached a critical level.
If you were exposed to asbestos while working, you may have the option of filing a workers’ compensation claim if you develop mesothelioma. It is also possible to have grounds for legal recourse against a product manufacturer or a former employer who did not adhere to applicable safety regulations regarding asbestos. It is also possible to qualify to file a claim against a mesothelioma injury trust if you meet certain requirements.
Asbestos is no longer used in construction due to the health risks it presents, and various government agencies have taken important steps in recent years to not only prevent new applications of asbestos but also address asbestos risks that persist throughout the country. This substance continues to be found in shipyards, commercial buildings, and even residential properties throughout the United States.
When any asbestos hazard is identified, it is vital to have it removed immediately, and the party handling removal must follow applicable regulations to ensure the removal is executed appropriately. Failure to remove asbestos while following applicable rules can easily create a severe health risk to everyone involved in the removal, as well as any other parties who use the property.
While asbestos is not as much of a concern today as it was in the past, it is still vital to understand the very serious health risks this substance presents and to know what to do if you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma. An experienced attorney can help you determine how and where you were exposed so you can then determine what legal options may be available to you.
A: Yes, asbestos continues to be a problem today despite the previous decades’ worth of legislation aimed at curbing mesothelioma diagnoses and asbestos-related deaths. While most forms of asbestos are banned in the United States and many other countries, there are still places where asbestos can be found, mostly older buildings that have not had asbestos removed, presenting a health risk to anyone who comes into contact with these exposure sites.
A: As of March 2024, asbestos has been effectively fully banned in the United States. Chrysotile asbestos, which has been the only known form of the substance to be recently imported, processed, and distributed throughout the United States, has been banned from further usage. The Environmental Protection Agency recently updated and finalized its risk management rule for asbestos with the aim of curbing adverse health outcomes associated with the substance.
A: Yes, it is possible to find asbestos in the home, especially inside older homes constructed before asbestos health risks became apparent. However, the presence of asbestos in a home is not necessarily cause for concern. The risks of asbestos exposure appear when asbestos products such as insulation, joint compounds, and some vinyl floor tiles become damaged, releasing asbestos fibers into the air.
A: The latency period of mesothelioma is the time it takes for the disease to cause noticeable symptoms following exposure to asbestos. The latency period for mesothelioma is very long, typically anywhere from 10 to 50 years, with a 25-year average latency period. However, when symptoms of mesothelioma first appear, they are commonly misdiagnosed as other conditions. This can make it very difficult to determine the root cause of the disease.
A: The cost to hire a mesothelioma lawyer may only be a percentage of the total compensation they secure for you. If you choose Wallace & Graham, P.A., to represent you, our team accepts mesothelioma cases on contingency. This means we take a percentage of your case award as our fee, but only if we win your case. There is no fee at all if we are unable to obtain compensation for your damages.
While there have been massive legislative steps taken in recent decades to minimize the risks of asbestos exposure in the United States, thousands of people continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma from various causes each year. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team and learn more about the legal services we provide.
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