The Maune Raichle Law Firm

Mesothelioma Disease

The cancer mesothelioma is a disease which has been linked to exposure to asbestos. In fact, the vast majority, about 90% of all mesothelioma cases, were caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is not the only disease asbestos has been shown to cause and because of its role in many illnesses, the use of asbestos in most of its forms was banned in the mid 70's. Because it often takes decades for mesothelioma to develop, cases of mesothelioma are being observed now, over 30 years after the use of asbestos was officially banned.

Many law suits have resulted relating to asbestos caused mesothelioma, in addition to many law suits related to the other illnesses asbestos has been shown to cause. Often at the heart of these cases is the fact that knowledge of the health effects of asbestos was known years before it was banned. Employers continued to allow their employees to work with a carcinogen without providing any type of adequate protective equipment.

The disease mesothelioma is a cancer which develops in the mesothelium of the body. The mesothelium is a matrix connective tissue and epithelial cells which help to produce lubricants that facilitate the movement of organs within the body as well as create the thoracic cavity, peritoneal cavity, and heart sac. Thoracic mesothelioma, also known as pleural mesothelioma, is by far the most common form of the disease and results in symptoms similar to lung cancer, labored breathing, painful breathing, shortness of breath, and decreased oxygen concentration within the blood.