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West Virginia Mesothelioma Lawyer

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Many residents who reside in the state of West Virginia may be unaware that they were placed at a high risk for developing mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive type of cancer, due to exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos, prior to the 1970s, was considered to be the perfect building material. Asbestos has a low heat conductivity, is fire resistant and does not burn, and is flexible and extremely durable. Asbestos products were used at construction sites, manufacturing facilities, railroads, shipyards, mines and factories. It is estimated that more than eight million Americans were put at risk for mesothelioma from their exposure to asbestos. Once asbestos is brought into the body through inhalation or ingestion, our bodies can not break down this foreign substance. The asbestos fibers become embedded in the lungs or even other parts of the body, such as the lining of the chest cavity and abdominal cavity. These fibers lead to the development of mesothelioma. It is a serious form of caner; most people die within two years of being diagnosed with the disease, and no real cure or treatment has been found.

Mesothelioma can develop in the chest, heart, or abdomen. Over 3,000 new cases of asbestos-related mesothelioma are diagnosed each year, and that number is only expected to increase over the next decade. Once a person has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, they only have a twenty-percent chance of surviving the first five years after diagnosis. The reason for such a low survival rate is because mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in its advanced stages. Mesothelioma is a hard type of cancer to diagnosis because it imitates other forms of cancer, and because the common symptoms of mesothelioma coughing, wheezing, and chest pain are so similar to those of other respiratory diseases.

A licensed medical professional is the only one who can diagnosis mesothelioma. A physician will ask you questions about your work history to determine your risk level for asbestos exposure. Next, a chest x-ray will be performed to see if there is an unusual thickening of the lungs or mineral deposits. Both of these are signs of mesothelioma. The physician may test the fluid he or she finds in the lungs, chest, abdomen, or cardiac area. There are specialized laboratory procedures to test for mesothelioma.

Not only were workers placed at risk, but so were their families. If a family member handles asbestos-laden clothing, he or she is put at risk of receiving secondhand asbestos exposure. This type of exposure is also deadly. Mesothelioma usually develops between 50-70 years of age. It can occur several decades after a person's initial exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos-related mesothelioma could have been prevented if only asbestos products were safety tested before they were put into use. Asbestos was finally banned in the United States during the mid 1970s, but already this was too late. Thousands of people have died as a result of their employer's and the asbestos manufacturers' negligence. When any worker goes to work they should be able to feel safe and confident that they are not being put in harm's way. If you are a resident in the state of West Virginia and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, please call a West Virginia mesothelioma lawyer/attorney as soon as possible.

A lawyer can discuss your rights with you and tell you if you are owed any monetary compensation for the pain, suffering, and expenses you have endured. Your West Virginia mesothelioma lawyer/attorney should advise upon the best course of action for possible lawsuit and litigation actions. Pursuing legal action with the help of an attorney will help you punish the parties responsible for the asbestos poisoning and provide financial security to you and your family. Contact a local West Virginia Mesothelioma lawyer/attorney today.