A lesion refers to any damage to or abnormal change in an organ. When a doctor discovers a lesion on your lung, it could mean that you have developed lung cancer, depending on whether the lesion is cancerous or benign. According to the September 2015 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, doctors recommend testing any nodule larger than 8 millimeters for malignancy and any nodule smaller or equal to 8 millimeters if other risk factors for lung cancer exist in the patient, such as a genetic disposition to lung cancer.
If you receive a diagnosis of lung cancer even though you do not smoke or never smoked, then your illness may have resulted from exposure to harmful agents like asbestos or radon gas. Such exposure may qualify you for compensation from the responsible parties.
The Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Whether you smoke or not, discovering lung cancer earlier increases your odds of survival. Your doctor can conduct tests such as a diagnostic scan if you experience one or more symptoms of lung cancer. The Mayo Clinic lists some typical lung cancer symptoms, which include:
- Coughing up blood.
- Chest pain.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- A persistent cough.
- Persistent headaches.
- Shortness of breath.
- Hoarseness.
- Bone pain.
People often dismiss these symptoms as a temporary or a minor illness. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience one or more of these lung cancer indicators.
Lung Cancer Development in Non-Smokers
Non-smokers may assume that they live without risk of developing lung cancer, but a study in the November 2012 edition of the journal Environmental Health reports that non-smokers account for 10% to 25% of all lung cancer cases. Asbestos and radon gas, two naturally occurring substances frequently found in buildings built before 1970, can harm your lungs and lead to lung cancer without any obvious indications until the disease has firmly established itself.
Radon Gas Can Disrupt Your Lungs
According to the National Cancer Institute, radon gas kills somewhere between 15,000 and 22,000 patients every year, and it does so by causing changes to lung cells that often emerge in the form of lesions on the lungs. Many victims rarely realize their exposure because of radon gas’s odorless and colorless nature.
Individuals in charge of buildings must conduct regular radon tests and address any issues that may lead to radon exposure. The responsibility for a radon-related lung cancer diagnosis may fall on:
- Employers.
- Building managers.
- Municipalities.
- Landlords.
- Apartment complex owners.
The person who exposed you to radon should assume responsibility for the losses resulting from your cancer.
Asbestos Fibers Cause Harmful Changes in Your Lungs
Breathing asbestos fibers causes harmful changes that can lead to cancerous lesions on the lungs and lung cancer. The three primary lung disorders caused by breathing asbestos fibers include:
- Mesothelioma.
- Other forms of lung cancer.
- Asbestosis.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists some places where you might find asbestos. For example, you may find asbestos inside insulation (which sits in walls and attics and around pipes and heat-emitting appliances), heat-resistant fabrics, and certain roofing materials, such as shingles.
People who sustain regular exposure to these substances live at a heightened risk of developing lung cancer.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 217-6099
A Lawyer May Help With Your Asbestos- or Radon-Related Lung Cancer Case
If your cancer resulted from breathing asbestos or radon gas, somebody likely failed to protect you from harm. A lawyer may help you pursue compensation through legal avenues by:
- Filing necessary documentation.
- Collecting your medical records, as well as any medical professional’s opinion that exposure to harmful entities caused your lung cancer.
- Aiming to prove the liability of the defendant.
Awards in an Asbestos or Radon Exposure Case
Awards in substance-related lung cancer cases vary. Possible financial awards resulting from your case may cover:
- Your medical costs, including diagnosis and treatment.
- Lost wages or a complete inability to work.
- Pain and suffering.
- Punitive awards.
If your case becomes a wrongful death claim, then you could be entitled to additional financial awards.
Call Our Team Today
Lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm want to protect you from suffering greater loss than you already have. You pay nothing unless we secure compensation on your behalf. Call our team today at (800) 217-6099 for a free consultation.
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