Asbestos exposure can result in several different illnesses victims who believe they may have been exposed to the dangerous material should be familiar with. Victims and their families should also be aware of the legal options available that may protect them if they have suffered from an asbestos-related illness.
Asbestos is a fiber that can cause illnesses ranging from respiratory illnesses to fatal cancers. Diseases related to asbestos exposure include:
- Lung cancer – lung cancer is the most common asbestos-related illness victims suffer from. Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
- Mesothelioma – mesothelioma is a type of cancer that impacts the thin layer of tissue that surrounds the internal organs. Mesothelioma has a particularly high fatality rate. Only 10% of mesothelioma patients survive longer than five years following their diagnosis and the average length of survival following a mesothelioma diagnosis is only one year.
- Asbestosis – asbestosis refers to the scarring of the lungs which causes lung-related problems in victims, including shortness of breath. There is not cure for asbestosis, though some treatments may be able to help with the symptoms.
Products liability and personal injury legal options and remedies can help protect victims who have been harmed as a result of asbestos exposure. In addition, wrongful death legal protections are also available to family members who have lost a loved one to an asbestos-related illness.
Available legal protections can help victims with their physical, financial and emotional damages related to the asbestos-related illness they suffer from. Regardless of the circumstances, because the impact of an asbestos-related illness can be grim, victims and families harmed by asbestos should be familiar with their legal rights.