The Malevolence of Mesothelioma

Perhaps you’ve seen this commercial on TV asking you if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer that affects certain workers exposed to asbestos, a toxic chemical. Asbestos has long been used by manufacturers and builders, but its inhalation poses a serious health hazard resulting in this malignant disease. The cancer cells develop in the mesothelium, the protective lining of most of our internal organs. Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest wall pain and general weight loss. Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by a series of tests such as chest X-rays, CT-scans and biopsies. The biopsy confirms the existence of a tumor in the lungs.

Workers in direct contact with asbestos can transmit its dangerous health risk to family members who touch or inhale particles from their clothing embedded with asbestos dust or fibers. It can be transmitted simply by handling such clothes in the washing machine. People who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can consult a Mesothelioma Lawyer if they wish to discuss their rights, if any, and to possibly file a claim against former employers based on their work-related illness. This is a type of tort action which, according to the American Bar Association, has 50,000 to 75,000 new cases filed each year.