Mesothelioma - Asbestos Cancer

Every year in the U.S., more than 2,000 people die from mesothelioma, a cancer for which no cure has been identified. Getting a mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming - a patient and his or her family may not know what to expect from this cancer, since it’s not well understood even by doctors and scientists.

Cancer of the Chest Cavity

Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium, the tissue that lines the inside of the chest. There are several subtypes of mesothelioma but the most common type affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs. The symptoms of mesothelioma appear gradually and eventually cause its victim great pain and difficulty.

Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma is closely linked to asbestos, the deadly mineral that was used in thousands of applications during the earlier two-thirds of the 20th century. Inhaling asbestos fibers is the only confirmed cause of mesothelioma, and in most cases, the mesothelioma tumor shows up in the victim decades after the asbestos inhalation.

Some Occupations Are at Great Risk

Thousands of individuals who worked at asbestos mining and processing sites, in the shipbuilding and construction industries, and even in schoolrooms with asbestos-tile ceilings have been diagnosed with mesothelioma years after their exposure. Many more thousands of individuals have been misdiagnosed as having lung cancer or another respiratory disease or cancer, in part because mesothelioma is difficult to identify.

The asbestos industries were hit with thousands of lawsuits due to their negligence. It’s been confirmed that many asbestos industry executives were fully aware of the dangers of asbestos but chose not to inform their employees of the risk; so were many owners and management at other locations that contained asbestos products.

Contact a Louisville Lawyer about Mesothelioma

If you or one of your family members has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact Brett Oppenheimer in Louisville to discuss your circumstances. Our Kentucky mesothelioma lawyers look forward to answering your questions.