Mesothelioma is somewhat unique as a disease in that it has only one known cause: asbestos exposure. Compare this with lung cancer, which can be caused by uranium, cigarette smoke, and air pollution, to name a few.
Although all mesothelioma is ultimately caused by asbestos, there are a variety of ways exposure can occur. Most of these have to do with a person’s occupation. If you are experiencing mesothelioma-like symptoms but cannot figure out where you were exposed to asbestos, a Michigan mesothelioma lawyer may be able to help pinpoint the source.
There are some jobs (like asbestos mining) that obviously put workers in contact with asbestos. Some other occupations involve exposure that is less obvious.
Asbestos was used for a wide variety of applications due to its strength and fire retardant properties. From the mid-1800s well into the 20th century, asbestos was used in insulation, flooring, roofing, automobile brake pads, and lawn furniture, to name a few.
Factory workers manufacturing these products were routinely exposed to asbestos. So were construction workers involved in demolishing or renovating older buildings that used asbestos-containing materials. Construction workers are still potentially at risk, but there are better safety measures in place now that the dangers of asbestos are widely known.
The asbestos industry knew of health risks by the 1930s, and the first asbestos-related death occurred in 1906. The industry managed to hide this information from the public for several decades, however, leading to countless cases of mesothelioma. Our Michigan mesothelioma lawyers can help you recover the money you deserve for health care, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you aren’t at risk just because your exposure to asbestos happened a long time ago. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing and pain or fluid in the abdomen, contact a doctor immediately.
For a free evaluation of your mesothelioma or asbestos exposure case, please contact us at 1-800-LAWYERS.