I am very sorry to hear about the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of cancer. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. Sadly, the manufacturers of asbestos hid the dangers of the product from the public for years, which caused many premature deaths.
Mesothelioma can occur when asbestos fibers accumulate in an individual’s lungs. Mesothelioma develops very slowly. Many victims can live for years or even decades without any symptoms. In a lot of situations, mesothelioma victims develop the disease long after they left the environment in which they were exposed to asbestos. Often, the disease is at first mistaken for other common respiratory illnesses. However, the symptoms usually become worse quickly, and at that point mesothelioma is typically diagnosed. The initial symptoms are fatigue, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, shortness of breath, labored breathing, and chest pains.
The use of asbestos in most products was banned in 1970. However, asbestos manufacturers became aware of a link between asbestos and illnesses as early as 1920, but kept that information hidden from the public until later. It can take as long as 50 years for some victims to develop mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos, so today people are still becoming ill from the disease, even though the exposure may have occurred decades ago. Some industries that used to use asbestos regularly include railroads, many manufacturing plants, construction, insulation installation, and more.
Victims of mesothelioma have the right to obtain compensation for their illness. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should speak with an attorney. Call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles personal injury attorney at 310-385-0567. My team can help. Call us today to learn more or to schedule your free consultation.