The Maune Raichle Law Firm

Asbestosis Mesothelioma

Asbestos caused mesothelioma, commonly called asbestos mesothelioma, or just mesothelioma, affects thousands of individuals and is the result of extended exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, which was commonly used in many trades for its flame retardant properties, causes the condition asbestosis when it is inhaled over an extended period of time, and leads to inflammation of the lungs. This inflammation often results in the development of cancerous mesothelioma cells later in life.

Many workers who were exposed to asbestos during their daily duties in 50's, 60's, and 70's were never made aware of the risks of prolonged exposure to asbestos. The inflammation associated with asbestosis often took years to develop and resulted in shortened, painful breathing, which was commonly misdiagnosed as an unrelated respiratory illness. Now asbestosis is better known and is being diagnosed in individuals who were never aware of the risk of working with and around asbestos.

The resulting cancer, mesothelioma, is not seen in all individuals who develop asbestosis, although it is very common for mesothelioma to develop after asbestosis affects an individual. In addition to being painful and affecting a patient's ability to breath, mesothelioma can spread, causing increased respiratory function loss, failure in other organs, and in later stages, death. Diagnosing asbestosis and mesothelioma early can aid in treatment and help to prevent an imminent and painful death, although treatments are often long and gradual. Reporting respiratory symptoms to a doctor and mentioning possible exposure to asbestos can save the life of individuals affected by both mesothelioma and asbestosis.