Asbestos: The Fireproof People Killer

Asbestos is the Greek term given to a group of fibrous materials that are derived from metamorphic rocks. Asbestos fibers have been used for many different purposes throughout history. Asbestos is a very heat and fire resistant material; meaning that it is fireproof. Because of its heat resistant properties, it was once used to make candlewicks, brake pads for automobiles, and fireproof materials such as blankets and other types of clothing normally worn by fire fighters. It was also used in many buildings that were built before 1980 because of its heat resistant and insulating properties.

However, it did not matter how fireproof the asbestos materials was in the past or in the present, it still was responsible for killing thousands of people. It protected the victims from being burned on the outside, however the damage that the asbestos did to the lungs and the inside parts of the body are innumerable.

Asbestos is known to cause a condition known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the deadliest illness known to man. The average life expectancy of someone who has mesothelioma is about 24 months. There are thousands of reported cases of mesothelioma every year; and the only known cause of the disease is asbestos. It has been proven that the victims of mesothelioma are those who worked long, hard years in America's factories, mines, construction and other laborious jobs.

The asbestos that they breathed in while working on the job is the known cause of mesothelioma. The particles that they breathed in while working slowly deteriorated the lining of their lung and hearts and eventually lead to cancer. The sad thing about this disease is that the companies that these heard working men and women worked for knew about the dangers of asbestos to the human body and did nothing to protect their employees. These men and women would work all day while breathing asbestos. They would then bring the particles home with them on their clothes and put their spouses and children in danger of asbestos exposure.

Thousands of people today have been exposed to asbestos and are finding that mesothelioma is starting to develop. Mesothelioma is not a disease that suddenly occurs. It is a disease that results after years of breathing in the asbestos particles and fibers. It is estimated that some people can breathe asbestos fiber for as long as 30-40 years before mesothelioma can occur. If you or your loved one has been exposed to asbestos and the company did nothing to protect its employees from the dangers of asbestos, you may choose to seek compensation and file a lawsuit.

So, although asbestos is a fireproof material that is useful in many things, it is neither useful nor fireproof inside the human body. Asbestos can protect one on the outside, but it can also kill on the inside.

The History of Asbestos-Related Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a fiber that was once used in construction as insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos fibers are small and toxic, easily entering the body through the lungs and causing a number of health problems. Exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the meosthelium or protective lining that covers the body's internal organs, most notably the lining of the lungs and chest, known as the pleura. While mesothelioma can be caused by other factors, the majority of cases are linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-related mesothelioma first gained attention in 1929 when the first lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers was filed. Both sides settled and agreed to avoid pursuing similar cases in the future, and asbestos harmful effects yet again dropped off the radar.

In 1960, however, asbestos and mesothelioma were in the news again. In a paper published by Wagner et al, asbestos was declared as the official cause of mesothelioma. The paper cited more than 30 cases of mesothelioma in people who were either working in asbestos mines or spent a good deal of time in proximity to asbestos. Two years later, an Australian asbestos worker was diagnosed with the first case of malignant mesothelioma. He worked in the asbestos mines in Wittenoom, Australia for just two years before developing the disease.

Wittenoom would eventually become a mesothelioma nightmare. A mining town that revolved around the asbestos mills, the mines asbestos waste had an affect on many who lived there, whether or not they worked in the mines. Toxic levels of the mines asbestos were found on playgrounds, and cases of mesothelioma began to crop up in mine workers and non-mine workers alike. Mining in Wittenoom lasted from 1943 to 1966 despite the existence of proof that asbestos caused mesothelioma and other serious medical conditions.

The mines were owned and operated by CSR Limited, a company that produced aluminum and construction materials including asbestos insulation. The company didn't take proper safety precautions to control the exposure of individuals to asbestos from the mines.

In fact, during the period that CSR Limited Wittenoom mines were in operation, thousands of mine workers, their families, and visitors were exposed to lethal amounts of asbestos. There were regulations in place at the time as to how to control asbestos exposure for mine operators; CSR Limited simply didn't follow them.

The Western Australia Health Department issued several warnings to CSR, but they failed to make any changes to protect the miners and townspeople, even after many cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases began to spring up.

In the late 1970's the Western Australian government began shutting down the town of Wittenoom because it was no longer safe to live there. Asbestos levels were far too toxic, and, eventually, at least a third of those exposed to asbestos in Wittenoom would be diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

In 1979, suits were brought against CSR Limited, and they were found to have shown conscious negligence and disregard for the safety of the mine workers and the town. Even now, new cases of mesothelioma related to the Wittenoom tragedy are being diagnosed, costing CSR Limited millions of dollars in settlements.

Asbestos is still widely used in many products today, despite its toxicity. Attempts to legislate a ban on asbestos, so far, has been overturned by the courts. The EPA has resources available to provide you with information about asbestos, asbestos-related products, and how to control your asbestos exposure.

How To Find The Best Mesothelioma Doctors

Mesothelioma is a very rare kind of tumor that develops in the mesothelium - a membrane that surrounds the chest cavity, the cavity around the heart, as well as the abdominal cavity. The job of the mesothelium is also to protect nearly all of the body's internal organs. Mesothelioma can be benign and although it impacts the effectiveness of the internal organs, the tumor mass can be surgically removed. On the other hand, cancerous mesothelioma usually develops through the exposure to asbestos and over 3000 Americans die from this disease every year. According to mesothelioma doctors, the death rate for mesothelioma will peak within a decade, with a 3-1 ration between men and women who contract the disease.

Anybody who was ever employed in the construction industry where asbestos was used, or within any industry for that matter where they were exposed to this product should seriously consider consulting with a mesothelioma doctor. Even if patients do not display any of the typical symptoms of problems related to asbestos exposure, they should realize that many of these symptoms would only develop decades after exposure.

The initial diagnosis of the disease may or may not be through mesothelioma doctors. If patients are suffering from lung or abdominal problems, they might first consult with an ordinary doctor who looks through his or her past and finds the link between the complaints and asbestos. The doctors will look for telltale signs such as work history, facial and neck swelling, high levels of CEA in the lungs, and others. A biopsy will be required to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and once this is confirmed, the patient's next step is to find the best mesothelioma doctor available.

Mesothelioma is a rare condition and only doctors who are familiar with asbestos related diseases can give patients the best treatment available. An early diagnosis is very important as the disease spreads rapidly and patients should feel very comfortable with their treating physicians.

To find the best mesothelioma doctors around, patients should consider contacting hospitals or treatment centers that deal with lung disease. Ideally, these institutions will do regular research relating to mesothelioma and the doctor will specialize in this field. New developments are taking place in the medical industry every day and any good mesothelioma doctor will be aware of these new trends and treatments. While some patients are told that there is no cure for the disease, many are finding answers with some of the best mesothelioma doctors out there who manage to keep abreast with current research.

Building a Strong Mesothelioma Case

Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Have you been told that your mesothelioma is the result of prolonged asbestos exposure? Does your insurance company give you problems over medical payments because of the lack of true evidence that your mesothelioma was work related and began decades ago? If you answered yes to these questions, you have grounds to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.

In order to build a good, strong mesothelioma case, the first thing you should do is gather all of your medical diagnosis papers and any past documentation of your work. Past documentation could include pay stubs, tax papers, or any other documents that shows where you worked. You will also want to gather all of your insurance information and documentation as well. Your mesothelioma lawyer will request all of this information in order to begin your case.

Once you have given your lawyer all of the necessary paperwork, you want to keep in contact with your lawyer and let them know of your progression. Most lawyers will work with you and even come to your home if you are unable to come to their offices. Be honest with the information that you provide to the lawyer. Do not hold or hid any information. Everything you say to your lawyer will help him or her work successfully on your case.

It is good to plan for the unknown. Mesothelioma can be deadly. You should speak with your lawyer and your family about any directives that give them guidance on your condition and your case just in case you are no longer able to speak for yourself. Put this in writing. This is a very important part of building a strong case. If you do become unable to speak for yourself and there are not instructions for anyone else, your case will weaken and possibly end. So, you want to be sure everyone knows what to do in the unknown.

Inform your mesothelioma attorney of the names of anyone else who could have been exposed to asbestos as a result of you bringing the fibers home on your clothes. These people would be the ones who lived with you when you worked for the company where you were exposed to asbestos. They also may be in danger of mesothelioma.

Building a good, strong mesotheloma case is something that you can discuss with your attorney. They will be able to tell you what all you need to build your case. Each case is unique and individual, so your mesothelioma attorney will be able to tell you which ways would work best for your case so that you can build a very strong case.