Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lung multiply at an uncontrollable rate, creating tumors that may spread without treatment. Cancerous cells are abnormal and create adverse health effects that, without treatment, will eventually cause death.
There are several symptoms of lung cancer that may help you better understand the impact that the disease has on your body.
Do Not Ignore Possible Signs of Lung Cancer
As abnormal cells multiply in the lungs and surrounding tissue, the body begins to become taxed, attempting to fight against these cells in vain. This creates noticeable health effects that may include:
- Hoarseness
- Bone pain
- Coughing up blood
- Unexplained weight loss
- A persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Persistent headaches
While smokers are at the highest risk of developing lung cancer, many lung cancer patients develop the disease through no intentional action such as smoking. Two of the primary causes of cancer in non-smokers are breathing radon gas and asbestos.
Radon and Asbestos Cause Lung Cancer
Twenty thousand lung cancer patients die annually as a result of having been exposed to unsafe levels of radon gas, reports the American Cancer Society. So what are these two cancer-causing substances?
Radon Gas Occurs When Uranium Breaks Down in Your Surroundings
When the element uranium breaks down in rock, soil, or water, radon gas is the byproduct. While this process releases most radon gas into the atmosphere at harmless levels, the gas becomes very dangerous when it is trapped in an indoor space.
Particularly at risk are those who spend significant amounts of time in well-sealed, poorly ventilated rooms such as basements. Those who oversee the safety of a building have a duty to test for radon at regular intervals, and to remove dangerous levels of the gas.
For this reason, possible defendants in a radon exposure lung cancer case are:
- A landlord
- A building manager
- A municipality if your exposure occurred in a government-owned structure
- An employer
If you believe that radon gas may have played a role in causing your lung cancer, consider who might be responsible for your exposure. Another possible cause of lung cancer in non-smokers is asbestos.
Asbestos Is Deadly and It Could Be in a Building Where You Spend Lots of Time
For many people, asbestos is a word that is synonymous with cancer. Although The Clean Air Act of 1970 and other pieces of legislation have limited some forms of asbestos, it remains alarmingly prevalent in building materials. According to PBS News Hour, an estimated 30 million homes in America alone contain some level of asbestos, despite the fibrous mineral being directly linked to health conditions including:
- Asbestosis
- Mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer for which the only known cause is breathing asbestos
- Forms of lung cancer aside from mesothelioma
Due to its prevalence in insulation and other home building materials, some groups may be at an elevated risk of developing lung cancer from asbestos exposure. These groups include:
- Building demolition crew members
- Construction workers
- Those who work near insulation, such as air conditioning repairmen as well as rodent and pest control specialists
Consider the possibility that asbestos caused your lung cancer if you are a non-smoker who has received a diagnosis of lung cancer and you have been exposed to asbestos.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 217-6099
A Lawyer Can Help You Pursue Any Compensation You May Be Eligible to Receive
You do not have to fight for compensation you deserve on your own. A lawyer can handle your legal case while you focus on feeling better. They can:
- Ensure the initiation of your case before the statute of limitations expires
- Aim to prove the negligence of the defendant in your case, a goal that will be central to you collecting financial awards
- Protecting your rights throughout the legal process
Possible Awards in a Lung Cancer Claim
No two lung cancer negligence claims are the same, but there is precedent for the sort of awards that could be awarded in these cases. Financial awards may cover:
- Medical expenses related to your cancer
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Any additional awards common to wrongful death claims if they apply in your case
The unique circumstances of your case may entitle you to further compensation not listed above, especially if yours is a wrongful death claim.
Call Us Today
Our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will fight for the compensation you deserve, no matter how tough the case. Call us today at (800) 217-6099 to discuss the details of your case. Our clients pay nothing up-front, nothing out-of-pocket, and we only collect a fee if we receive a judgment or settlement in your favor.
Call or text (800) 217-6099 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
