Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms primarily due to exposure to asbestos. The survival rate for certain types of mesothelioma is only eight percent. With three-thousand new cases of mesothelioma being diagnosed each year, it is important that if you are a resident of the state of Washington and were exposed to asbestos call a lawyer. A lawyer can discuss your rights with you. Your employer or manufacturer might be at fault especially if you have developed mesothelioma.

Asbestos was a popular building material that was used in offices, schools, shipyards, railroads, personal residences, and several other locations throughout the United States. Asbestos was considered a perfect building material because of its resistance to fire and burning, its durability, flexibility, and its low conductivity to heat. Roofers, sawyers, power plant operators, factory workers, insulators, plumbers, and ship repair workers were put at a high-risk for exposure to asbestos. Asbestos insulation workers seem to have been put at the highest risk as the statistics prove that over six percent of insulation workers develop mesothelioma. They are also three-hundred times more likely to die from this type of cancer. Employers and asbestos manufacturers could have prevented these deaths if only they would have followed the proper safety procedures. Employers should have had employees wearing a gown, gloves, and a mask when dealing with asbestos materials.

Once asbestos fibers are inhaled either through the mouth or the nose, the asbestos is embedded into the cavities of the lungs. If the asbestos fibers are swallowed the asbestos becomes embedded in the abdomen. Our bodies are unable to break down and process asbestos, so once it enters our bodies it stays there. Not only workers were put at risk but so were their families. If a family member handles asbestos-ridden clothing he or she is placed at risk for developing mesothelioma due to second-hand exposure to asbestos. Second hand exposure can be just as deadly.

People who are diagnosed with mesothelioma only have a twenty-percent chance of surviving the next five years after diagnosis. The survival rate for mesothelioma is so low because usually this type of cancer is diagnosed in its more advanced stages. Mesothelioma often imitates other types of cancers, so a proper diagnosis is hard to make. Mesothelioma can develop in the chest, pleural mesothelioma, the abdomen, peritoneal mesothelioma, and the heart, which is known as pericardial mesothelioma. Many times if a doctor suspects mesothelioma they will do an x-ray to see if there is fluid built-up in the specific area. This is a common sign of mesothelioma. Other signs of mesothelioma are an unusual thickening of the lungs, mineral deposits, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Only a licensed health care professional can diagnosis mesothelioma.

Even though asbestos was banned it can still be found in seven-hundred-thousand buildings across the United States. This puts new workers in jeopardy when they replace old worn-out asbestos materials or tear down buildings. It is very important to know what kind of materials you are dealing with. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney. An attorney can tell you how much monetary compensation may rightly be owed to you.