Concern about the health hazards associated with asbestos are not something new. As early as 1906, a Parliamentary Commission in the United Kingdom confirmed the first cases of asbestos related deaths in factories in Great Britain and recommended better ventilation in the factories.
In the United States there was a study produced in 1918 showing premature deaths in the asbestos industry and as early as 1926 there was the first successful claim for compensation by a sick asbestos worker.
The problem with asbestos is that when it is inhaled, which is easy as the fibers are so fine, it is carcinogenic. This can then lead to several respiratory problems including a potentially serious lung condition called asbestosis. In addition it can lead to one of the most severe cancers known as mesothelioma which not only occurs in the chest but also the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is not usually referred to as a cancer of the lung, as the cells which become malignant come from the mesothelium which is a tissue found on the inside walls of the chest and abdominal cavities and on the outer surface of the lungs rather than actually in the lung itself.
It is estimated that ten thousand people in the United States die every year of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with any an asbestos related disease, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. To find out how we can help you recover for your asbestos related claim, contact the Law Office of Brayton Purcell, LLP at (800) 598-0314 immediately, or contact us online for a free consultation.
