|
|
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that has been used as insulation and a fire retardant in a wide variety of products. Asbestos produces dust that, when inhaled, becomes deposited in the lungs. Asbestos in the lungs can cause or contribute to the development of illnesses, especially mesothelioma (a malignant form of cancer in the lining of the chest or abdominal cavities), asbestosis (a fibrous scarring of the lungs), and lung cancer.
If you have an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma, talk to an experienced, skilled asbestos attorney. Contact our firm to learn more about your potential legal remedies.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a processed mineral found worldwide. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that has been used as insulation and a fire retardant in a wide variety of products. Asbestos can produce dust that, when inhaled, becomes deposited in the lungs. Common products often containing asbestos include car brakes, insulation, floor and ceiling tile, linoleum, roofing material, cement piping, appliances, and machinery.
Why be Concerned about Asbestos?
The problem for humans is that asbestos consists of microscopic, sliver-like fibers that can become dangerously embedded in the lungs, sometimes causing injury and disease - even fatal disease. Asbestos-related illness can take decades to appear. Experienced lawyers, paralegals and investigators spend many hours investigating a client's asbestos exposure history to determine the products that caused the disease.
Asbestos-Related Diseases: Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer and Asbestosis
Mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis are three diseases caused by inhaling asbestos. Mesothelioma is a rare, malignant cancer of the chest cavity or abdominal lining with specific cellular characteristics. Asbestosis is noncancerous scarring of the lungs formed by a response to asbestos fibers, causing stiff, restricted lung tissue.
Who is Harmed by Asbestos?
People most at risk of harm from asbestos exposure can be identified by following the path of asbestos. Typical victims of asbestos injury are miners; workers in factories producing asbestos-containing products, such as construction materials and ships; workers in industries where equipment and material contain high levels of asbestos, such as mechanics, construction workers, and railroad employees; and tradespeople exposed to crushed or broken asbestos-containing materials that can produce dust, like construction workers, demolition crews, and firefighters. In addition, asbestos dust can travel in the air and on workers' clothing to expose others.
Asbestos exposure can happen in additional environments - at work, through pollution from industrial sites, by secondary exposure to fibers on other people, in buildings where fibers are disturbed or to bystanders near asbestos releases.
Have You Been Harmed by Asbestos?
If you have an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, contact a knowledgeable asbestos lawyer at Cooney & Conway today. An attorney from our firm can discuss the available legal remedies and help you make the best legal decision for your situation.
