The American Lung Association dictates that lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths among both men and women each year than any other type of cancer. While cigarette smoking leads to most instances of lung cancer, other factors play a significant role, as well.
The organization notes that occupational exposure to substances, such as radon and asbestos, also causes many lung cancer cases annually. Despite that scientists have known about the potential dangers of these carcinogens for decades, some companies failed to take action to prevent their employees from suffering exposure until the U.S. imposed regulations.
By then, many people had already come into contact with a deadly substance on a regular, long-term basis. Even with regulations in place, some people still have a certain level of exposure to radon and asbestos in the workplace.
If a doctor diagnosed you or a loved one with lung cancer resulting from occupational exposure to asbestos or radon, an Oregon lung cancer lawyer can help you hold the company accountable for the harm they caused. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 217-6099 to discuss your case with our legal team.
Exposure to Asbestos and Radon in the Workplace
Some lung cancer cases that do not stem from cigarette smoking result from exposure to a toxic substance. This can occur in the workplace with asbestos and radon.
Asbestos
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, has fire-resistant properties and does not conduct electricity, so it seemed to make the ideal insulation material. The American Cancer Society (ACS) affirms that many industries used it to create insulation for buildings, automobile parts, roofing shingles, floor tiles, and other types of textiles.
Radon
Also a naturally occurring substance, radon gas forms when radioactive elements in the earth break down and escape into air and water. Everyone will have some exposure to radon during their lives, but many do not experience dangerous levels or prolonged contact.
Workers in certain industries, particularly underground mining, phosphate, and uranium production, and waterworks, tend to have more extensive exposure than others, particularly before the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) decreased limits of radon exposure in the workplace in 1996.
If you or a loved one has received a lung cancer diagnosis after working in an environment that exposed you to radon or asbestos, an Oregon lung cancer lawyer can help you seek compensation. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for more information about your case.
Signs of Lung Cancer
When inhaled, both asbestos fibers and radon particles can lodge in the lungs, where they can remain for years or even decades. Asbestos can cause inflammation and scarring, while radon can give off radioactive energy. Both of these can cause lung cells to mutate and turn into cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), some common causes of lung cancer include:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- A cough that worsens over time
- Tightness in the chest or chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Facial or neck swelling
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
If your physician has diagnosed you with lung cancer due to your occupational exposure to asbestos or radon, they can help you determine an appropriate treatment plan for your needs. An Oregon lung cancer lawyer can help you pursue financial recovery from your former employer.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 217-6099
Financial Awards in Lung Cancer Cases
If asbestos exposure caused your lung cancer, you may qualify for compensation from an asbestos trust fund. Some companies have established these trust funds during their bankruptcy proceedings for the benefit of employees who suffered illness due to the asbestos in their working environments.
An attorney can determine if your former employer set up an asbestos trust fund, but if they did not or if your lung cancer resulted from radon exposure, they can help you file a claim against the liable party instead. Types of financial awards you may qualify for include compensation for:
- Medical bills and related medical expenses, such as equipment and transportation to and from treatments
- Lost wages if you worked when you received your diagnosis but had to take time off due to your illness
- Loss of earning potential if you cannot return to work or lost a loved one to lung cancer who provided you with financial support
- Pain and suffering for your physical and emotional distress
- Funeral and burial expenses if your loved one lost their battle with lung cancer
An Oregon lung cancer lawyer cannot guarantee an award amount, but they can assess your damages and help you seek fair financial awards.
Oregon Statutes of Limitations on Lung Cancer Claims
In Oregon, victims who received a lung cancer diagnosis after experiencing prolonged exposure to asbestos or radon in the workplace usually have up to two years from the date of their diagnosis to file a claim against the at-fault party, as Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) §12.110 dictates. In general, the loved ones of victims who have lost their lives to lung cancer caused by occupational exposure to these substances have up to three years to file a wrongful death suit, under ORS § 30.020.
However, exceptions may apply in both cases, and Oregon law designates who can file wrongful death claims, as well. An Oregon lung cancer lawyer can determine if you qualify to file a claim, calculate how much time you have remaining, and get started on your case as soon as possible.
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Assistance with Your Case
By the time the evidence proved the carcinogenic nature of radon and asbestos, workers in different industries had already suffered years of extensive exposure.
If you have received a lung cancer diagnosis or lost someone you love to lung cancer caused by occupational radon or asbestos exposure, an Oregon lung cancer lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you seek the financial recovery you deserve. Contact us now at (800) 217-6099 to speak with our legal team about your free case evaluation.
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