Smoking is a significant risk factor for developing lung cancer, but it is not the only one. Those who are around dangerous pollution, as well as those who breathe in carcinogenic asbestos and radon gas, may also develop lung cancer.
You have a path to compensation if you have been breathing in a carcinogenic material without your knowledge that has put you at risk for lung cancer.
Asbestos and Radon Cause Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
Asbestos and radon are not familiar to much of the population, but both are dangerous materials that cause cancer in many people, whether they smoke or not. Both materials are naturally occurring substances. Radon is a gas, while asbestos is a fibrous mineral used in construction materials.
Radon Causes Many Lung Cancer Deaths Each Year
According to the American Cancer Society, radon is a cancer-causing gas, responsible for approximately 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Radon is an odorless gas that builds up in well-sealed indoor spaces where its presence goes undetected. Breathing radon gas in large quantities can result in lung cancer, usually years down the road.
You can detect radon through a fairly inexpensive, simple test. If you have developed lung cancer due to radon exposure, consider that somebody may have failed to take basic steps to protect you against a known risk for lung cancer. This person may be:
- An employer
- A landlord
- A municipality
- A building manager
The defendant in your case may be somebody other than those listed above. Think about a well-sealed indoor space where you have spent a substantial amount of time to begin figuring out the source of your radon exposure.
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Asbestos Is Also a Leading Cause of Lung Cancer
Though it is a naturally occurring mineral, asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs that can eventually lead to lung cancer. Due to its fire-retardant properties, asbestos is still used regularly in building materials, namely insulation.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that places you may find asbestos in the home and other structures are:
- In insulation, which is often in walls, attics, around heat-emitting appliances, and around pipes
- In heat-resistant fabrics
- In certain types of textured paint
- In certain types of roofing, including some shingles
- In vinyl flooring
The EPA has taken action to protect the public from exposure to asbestos, but certain segments of the population are still at a heightened risk of asbestos exposure, including:
- Construction workers
- Demolition crews
- People who work close to insulation, such as pest and rodent controllers
- People who assemble car parts, as some may contain asbestos
If you developed lung cancer and have been living, working, or spending substantial amounts of time in a structure with dangerous levels of asbestos, then you may be eligible to collect compensation.
A Lawyer Can Help if Exposure to Radon or Asbestos Caused Your Lung Cancer
Somebody else may be responsible for your cancer-related losses if your illness was caused by exposure to radon or asbestos. A lawyer can help you in several ways, including:
- Helping you determine the most likely party who exposed you to radon or asbestos
- Documenting your firsthand account of how you believe exposure occurred
- Initiating legal action straight away so that your case falls within relevant statutes of limitation
- Collecting and documenting any evidence of wrongdoing by the defendant
- Corresponding with the defendant’s counsel to explore any settlement options that you may have
- Handling all the legal responsibilities necessary to bring your case to a judgment or settlement
- Protecting your rights throughout the legal process
If your lawyer can prove that the defendant acted in a way that exposed you to an unreasonable level of risk, then you may be entitled to compensation.
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Possible Awards in an Asbestos or Radon Exposure Case
No two asbestos or radon exposure cases are exactly the same, and therefore there is never a guarantee of how financial awards in a case may look. There are some possibilities for financial awards that you may receive, and they include coverage for:
- Diagnostic tests, scans, and X-rays required to detect your lung cancer
- Past and future treatment for your cancer
- Long-term rehabilitation necessary after your cancer subsides
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Lost wages or diminished income imposed because of your cancer
- Legal costs related to your pursuit of financial awards
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
The circumstances of your case may entitle you to additional awards. If your case becomes a wrongful death claim for a loved one, then you could be entitled to further awards. These may include:
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of parental guidance
- Loss of financial security
- Funeral costs
We can help you determine which, if any, awards you may be able to pursue if you or a loved one were put at risk for lung cancer.
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Call Our Team Today to Begin Your Pursuit of Compensation
If you or a loved one were exposed to cancer-causing radon or asbestos because of somebody else’s negligence, we want to help you. Call our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 217-6099 for a free consultation. Our clients pay nothing out of pocket, nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we secure a judgment or settlement in your favor.
Call or text (800) 217-6099 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
