Manufacturing and industrial workers often face a number of hazards in the workplace. These can include moving machinery, the potential for falls and even electrocution. Due, in part, to increasingly strict government regulations, fewer workers these days worry about asbestos exposure. Employers are now required to protect their employees by adhering to strict safety practices.
Sadly, many people who work with their hands for a living may have experienced high levels of asbestos exposure before this known carcinogen was carefully regulated by the government. Jobs in manufacturing, vehicle repair and maintenance, and even construction may have resulted in high levels of asbestos exposure. Even if you didn’t notice symptoms at the time of your exposure, it is still possible for you to develop serious conditions decades later.
Mesothelioma takes years or decades to fully develop
There are many kinds of cancers, but some of them are more aggressive and deadly than others. Mesothelioma is known as a very aggressive and hard to treat cancer that affects the linings of the organs in the body. Although some medical options can extend a patient’s life, there is no known cure for mesothelioma. The cancer will spread, and patients will have to pay for incredibly expensive medical treatments to slow or reduce the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
This cancer is also unique in that it is directly correlated with exposure to asbestos in the vast majority of cases. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma recently, it is very likely tied to previous exposure to asbestos at some point. Reviewing your employment history can help you determine likely causes of asbestos exposure.
Even the spouses of people exposed to asbestos can later develop mesothelioma. Breathing in particulate matter left on clothing while doing the laundry or just hugging their loved one hello could eventually result in cancer.
Workers exposed to asbestos have the right to seek compensation
If you develop a deadly cancer as a result of your employment, at the very least you should receive workers’ compensation. In some cases, it may be possible to prove employer neglect or oversight and hold them accountable with a civil lawsuit as well. There are also victim compensation funds set up specifically for people who develop mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure.
It would be easy to give up after receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Instead, you need to take the time to educate yourself about your opportunities for compensation and how you can protect your family. Taking legal action may help you cover the costs of treatment that can improve and extend your life. It can also help you leave behind money to support your family.
