There is a link between asbestos exposure and several serious diseases, including lung cancer. If you received a lung cancer diagnosis after coming into contact with asbestos, you could be entitled to compensation. A Schaumburg asbestos lawyer may be able to help you recover financial awards to pay for the costs of your medical treatments and other losses. To find out more, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 217-6099.
Asbestos Is Carcinogenic
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that occurs naturally in the environment. It is strong, fire-resistant, and chemical resistant. For these reasons, it was commonly used in insulation, roofing, ceiling, floor tiles, paints, and other building and construction materials. It was also used in brake pads, hairdryers, gas fireplaces, some garden products, and even crayons. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), in 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned asbestos use in new products, though it is still allowed in products developed prior to that date.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that asbestos in all of its forms is cancerous to humans. It has been linked to the development of lung cancer and mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and abdomen (peritoneum). Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma of the pleura.
Asbestos may also be swallowed in contaminated food, water, or saliva after it has been inhaled, causing mesothelioma of the peritoneum. Recently, ovarian cancer has been linked to using body powders made of talc that is cross-contaminated with trace amounts of asbestos.
Asbestos Exposure Occurs Most Often in the Workplace
By far, the most common source of asbestos exposure happens on the job. Some occupations that are at risk for asbestos exposure include brake mechanics, electricians, pipefitters, shipyard workers, and plumbers.
There is also a risk that drywall, insulation, and other building products can contain asbestos, especially those used in homes and buildings built prior to the 1970s. People who work in remodeling, demolition, and building trades also have an increased risk of exposure to asbestos on the job. If you believe your home or building contains asbestos, contact a professional. Asbestos removal should always be handled by experts.
Additionally, the more a person is exposed to asbestos, the greater their risk of getting lung cancer. Smoking tobacco products during or after exposure can significantly increase this risk. However, it can often be up to 40 years or more after asbestos exposure before lung cancer develops, according to the ATSDR.
For a free legal consultation with a Asbestos Lawyer serving Schaumburg, call (800) 794-0444
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
According to the Mayo Clinic, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. There may be no signs of the disease in its early stages, but more advanced symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Bone pain
- Shortness of breath
- Unintentional weight loss
- Persistent coughing
- Coughing up blood
- Fluid in the chest
You should see a doctor immediately if you have any persistent signs of lung cancer. If you receive a lung cancer diagnosis and believe it is related to asbestos exposure, you should consider reaching out to a Schaumburg asbestos lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Schaumburg Asbestos Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Liability for Your Illness
You may be entitled to compensation for your lung cancer if another party’s negligence caused your disease. For example, your employer could be legally liable if they failed to warn you about asbestos in the workplace, failed to provide proper safety equipment, or made no effort to mitigate exposure. A building or property owner may be responsible if they did not protect you from, or inform you about, asbestos in your home or place of business. Liability could rest with a contractor or construction company if they failed to properly remove asbestos during a remodel or demolition.
You could win awards to help with the costs of your cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, medications, and palliative care. If your lung cancer caused hospitalization, surgery, long-term nursing care, or other expensive medical services, a lawyer can help you fight for a settlement. You can also seek the costs of any future medical needs related to your cancer. In a lawsuit, you can seek additional awards for your pain and suffering.
If your loved one died of lung cancer caused by asbestos, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. You can sue for their medical expenses, end-of-life care, and funeral and burial costs. You may also be able to win awards for the loss of goods, money, services, benefits, and society they would have provided had they lived.
In some cases, a lawyer may be able to help you secure compensation from an insurance settlement or asbestos trust, depending on your employer. If your case goes to court, you will be bound by the statute of limitations. In Illinois, you have two years from the time your cancer was discovered to file a personal injury claim under 735 ILCS 5. Two years is also given from the time of your loved one’s death to file suit under 740 ILCS 180.
Working for You
Lung cancer is a terrible and often fatal disease. If your employer or another party exposed you to asbestos through their negligence, they should pay. Undoubtedly, your disease has harmed you physically and financially. The people responsible should help shoulder the monetary burden. A Schaumburg asbestos lawyer can help you seek a settlement to aid you and your family.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we want your focus to be on healing, not on legal battles or attorney fees. We charge no upfront fees, and if we do not win your case, you owe us nothing. To find out more about how our team can help, call us at (800) 217-6099 for a free consultation.
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