The Maune Raichle Law Firm

Mesothelioma Exposure

Exposure to asbestos is the cause of over 90% of mesothelioma cancers. The link between asbestos exposure and many other illnesses is the reason why the substance was banned over 30 years ago. Currently more cases of mesothelioma are just now being diagnosed as it can often take decades to develop and symptoms often go undiagnosed. In early stages of the disease, symptoms resemble those of simple aging or chest colds, slight pain when breathing, shortness of breath, labored breathing and the decrease in dissolved oxygen percentage.

Exposure to asbestos in any amount is considered a danger to health; however, people who develop mesothelioma usually spend years working with asbestos and brief exposure to asbestos only results in a slightly elevated risk of developing mesothelioma. Those who are at the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma are men between the ages of 50 to 75 who worked in industries that commonly used asbestos as a fireproofing agent and insulator. The largest users of asbestos were the HVAC, automotive, and commercial building industries.

Many courts have found employers liable for the mesothelioma their former employees developed following exposure to asbestos while working for their employer. These cases often relate to the fact that many American employers knew about the possible health risks of working with asbestos but continued to have their employees work with the substance without any type of protective devices. Although many of these cases have been filed on the behalf of a group of former employees, many individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma file their own suit against their former employer.