Many residents of the state of Vermont may not realize that they have been put in harms way due to the dangerous exposure to asbestos. In several studies asbestos has been linked to a deadly form of cancer. This type of cancer is called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare but very aggressive. Three thousand new cases are reported of asbestos related mesothelioma each year. There is only a twenty-percent survival rate of people who live for five years after diagnosis. If you or a loved one, reside in Vermont, and have developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos do not hesitate to contact an attorney. An attorney will be more than willing to help you through this difficult time and to discuss your rights with you. No one should have to lose their life or a loved one due to an employer’s or manufacturer’s negligence.

Asbestos was thought to be an ideal building material as it had a low conductivity to heat, a high resistance to fire and burning, it was flexible, and extremely durable. Asbestos was used in building materials, insulation, and many building products. Asbestos was used in almost every building, ship, or railroad built prior to the mid-seventies. This placed millions of workers at risk for developing mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. Workers who were placed at a high-risk were those employed at mines, construction sites, factories, manufacturing facilities, railroads, railroad facilities, and shipyards. Other workers who were put at risk for handling asbestos products were roofers, masons, carpenters, sawyers, and power plant operators. Statistics have shown that asbestos insulators were placed at the highest level of risk. An estimated six percent of insulators are diagnosed with mesothelioma, and they are three-hundred times more likely to pass away from this type of cancer than the general public. Not only were millions of workers placed at risk but so were their families. Family members who inhaled asbestos fibers on the worker’s clothing are at risk for second hand exposure to asbestos.

Once an individual inhales asbestos fibers, either through the nose or mouth, the fibers embed themselves within the lungs’ linings. If asbestos fibers happen to be swallowed then they embed themselves in the abdomen. These fibers are the cause and development of mesothelioma. Asbestos is such a deadly toxin because our bodies are unable to break down the asbestos. So, the poison literally stays inside our bodies after the initial inhalation.

Mesothelioma can develop in the chest, abdomen, lungs, or heart. Symptoms of mesothelioma include difficulty breathing, a dry cough, and fluid in one of the above mentioned areas of the body. Only licensed physicians can diagnosis asbestos related mesothelioma. If mesothelioma is thought to be present, the physician may take down the patients work history to decipher when exposure may have occurred. A physician may then have the patient undergo a chest x-ray. The x-ray may show mineral deposits or the unusual thickening of the lungs. Both of these are considered to be signs of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be hard to diagnosis because at first it imitates other types of cancer. The survival rate for mesothelioma is so low because it is usually not diagnosed until it has reached advanced stages. Thousands of Americans have died as a result of mesothelioma. If you are a resident of the state of Vermont and have been exposed to asbestos you should call a lawyer. A lawyer can process your claim and tell you how much monetary compensation you may be owed. Your employer or the manufacturer may be at fault especially if you have developed mesothelioma.