The Maune Raichle Law Firm

Mesothelioma Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma, relating to asbestos exposure, is much more common than the disease presenting itself relating to any other cause. Although many individuals still believe asbestos exposure is the only cause of mesothelioma, only 90 percent of cases can be conclusively linked to asbestos and the development of the cancer without exposure is possible. The issue continues to persist as to who is ultimately responsible for the fact that hundreds of thousands of US workers were exposed to asbestos despite the fact that during its use in the 60's and 70's there was already a growing concern in some hospitals that asbestos might be linked to some illnesses.

For the most part, workers were unaware that asbestos exposure caused any sort of illness and worked with the substance, in many cases, without as much a paper dust mask. Many employers were aware that there were possible risks associated with asbestos exposure long before the asbestos ban in the mid 70's, but many of their employees were never informed of these risks. Without taking any precautions, workers breathed in the airborne asbestos which often filled the air during installation of asbestos insulation and fire proofing.

In many cases it was not until years after exposure to asbestos that asbestos related illnesses were diagnosed. Individuals who never thought twice about their exposure to asbestos began becoming ill with horrible and difficult to treat illnesses. Courts the world over have ruled that employers in many cases are responsible for their former employees developing these asbestos related illnesses. Judges continue to rule in favor of employees who are now left to cope with the effects of asbestos exposure.