Lung cancer claims the lives of around 150,000 Americans each year, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). This accounts for about one-fourth of all cancer deaths, making it the leading cause of cancer fatalities. Most of us know that cigarette smoking significantly increases your chances of developing lung cancer. But exposure to toxic chemicals like radon and asbestos can also increase the likelihood you will contract the disease.
If you or a loved one received a cancer diagnosis after exposure to harmful substances in your home, business, or workplace, a Cicero lung cancer lawyer may be able to help you fight for financial compensation. To find out more about how a lung cancer attorney might assist you, call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 217-6099 to schedule a free consultation.
Radon
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second-leading cause of lung cancer overall. Radon causes more than 20,000 lung-cancer deaths every year.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It emits into the air when the radioactive metals radium, uranium, and/or thorium break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater. Radon can enter homes and buildings through cracks, gaps, and drains. It also can become trapped, accumulating at unsafe levels.
When you breathe in radon, radioactive particles can get trapped in your lungs, increasing your risk of getting lung cancer. Your chances of developing lung cancer because of radon depend on how much is present in the building, how much time you spend in the building, whether or not you are a smoker, and whether you burn coal, wood, or other substances indoors that contain radon.
Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, so you cannot detect its presence. However, you can test for it. If someone tested your house or apartment for radon, Illinois law requires your landlord to inform you, in writing, if a radon hazard was detected, according to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
The Illinois Radon Awareness Act and the Illinois Real Property Disclosure Act requires the seller of any residential property to inform the buyer about any indoor radon exposure, the Illinois Department of Public Health (DPH) says. If the seller conducted a radon test, they must also disclose the results to the buyer. However, the law does not mandate the seller test for radon or mitigate radon.
Radon testing is inexpensive, with kits starting at around $10. Generally, building repairs can mitigate radon. If you were exposed to radon in your home or another building, such as your place of business, it could be because of the property owner’s negligence. A Cicero lung cancer lawyer may be able to help you pursue financial awards if your landlord did not inform you of the presence of radon or failed to mitigate radon exposure.
Asbestos
Asbestos is another naturally occurring, cancerous substance. It is a strong, fire- and chemical-resistant mineral found in mines. It has been used in various products, from automotive brake pads to insulation. Many construction materials were manufactured with asbestos, including cement, roofing and ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and paint.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) states the EPA banned asbestos use in new products in 1989. However, it is still allowed in products and applications developed before then, and it is still found in materials in buildings, especially those constructed before the ban.
When people inhale or swallow asbestos, it can cause lung cancer. The development of mesothelioma, larynx cancer, and ovarian cancer are also linked to asbestos. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 125 million people globally are exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Several thousand more deaths occur yearly from exposure in the home.
People who work in the following industries may be at risk for workplace exposure:
- Renovation and demolition
- Building and construction
- Automotive mechanics
- Asbestos mining
- Asbestos removal
- Plumbing or pipefitting
If you are working on remodeling an older home, be aware that it may contain asbestos. You, or any workers you have hired, should not attempt to remove asbestos without a professional’s guidance.
If you believe you were exposed to asbestos in the workplace, you may have a case against your employer if they did not inform you of or protect you against asbestos exposure. If you were exposed in your home, you may have a case against a landlord, a builder, or an asbestos removal company if their negligence caused your exposure.
Other Lung-Cancer Causing Substances
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), several other toxic substances can increase the risk of lung cancer. They include:
- Cadmium
- Silica
- Diesel exhaust
- Coal products
- Mustard gas
- Nickle
- Beryllium
If you believe any of these substances caused your cancer, consider contacting a Cicero lung cancer lawyer. Give Pintas & Mullins Law Firm a call today to set up a free consultation. We can meet with you and hear the details of your situation and advise you of possible next steps.
For a free legal consultation with a Lung Cancer Lawyer serving Cicero, call (800) 794-0444
How a Lung Cancer Lawyer Can Help
Lung cancer can be a painful, slowly developing disease that requires lengthy and costly medical treatments. An attorney may be able to help you seek awards for the costs of your medical care, including:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Diagnostic testing
- Drug therapies
- Nursing care
- Palliative treatments
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
You may also seek compensation for the pain, suffering, and reduction in quality of life caused by your illness. If your loved one lost their life to lung cancer, you might be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. In addition to your loved one’s expenses, you may also seek awards for your loss of consortium or society and financial support from your loved one.
Cicero Lung Cancer Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
Our firm has helped lung cancer patients and their families win major financial awards. A Cicero lung cancer lawyer may be able to help you achieve the financial compensation you deserve. To find out more about working with an attorney, contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 217-6099 for a free consultation.
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