Asbestos Related Lawsuits Are On The Rise
If there’s one thing that’s almost universally known about asbestos it is that it can be a very dangerous mineral. What’s more, the dangers associated with using asbestos have been known as well as scientifically proven for many decades.
Consequently many countries have strictly regulated how it is used and handled. In the United States the courts often penalize companies and individuals who break the rules that the government has established. Sometimes the offenders are incarcerated. But more often large – often multimillion dollar – settlements and jury awards are won by mesothelioma attorneys for their clients.
Their clients were due these awards because the devastating life threatening asbestos related diseases that they acquired were preventable. Most of the victims of the diseases were exposed to asbestos fibers and particles while at work. Often their companies were aware of the dangers but did nothing to protect their employees.
Nonetheless, this known carcinogen is still being used. And throughout the country record numbers of asbestos cases have been filed. This demonstrates the sad fact that even though more than ever is known about the dire health risks associated with exposure to asbestos, the naturally occurring mineral is still damaging families and the lives of their loved ones.
Through the middle of 2010 approximately 7% more asbestos lawsuits were filed in the Madison County Circuit Court of Illinois than in the same period the previous year. Why was there an increase in filings?
The judge assigned to that court’s asbestos related cases – Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack – believes that secondary exposure to asbestos is at the root of the problem. Secondary exposure happens when an individual indirectly comes into contact with asbestos.
There are a lot of ways that secondary exposure to asbestos can come about. One very common way is that a family member comes home from work with asbestos fibers or asbestos dust on his or her clothes. These particles easily become airborne and are then inhaled by the workers relatives.
Asbestos can cause diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Currently, when someone is diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma ,they have pretty much gotten a death sentence. This fatal type of cancer attacks the protective linings of many internal organs including the lungs and the heart.
It can take ten, twenty, thirty, or more years after a person is exposed to asbestos before mesothelioma develops. That is one of the reasons why the number of lawsuits that are being filed is increasing. And it’s anticipated that the number will increase in the years to come.
Judge Stack believes that it will be a couple of decades before the number of asbestos related lawsuits peaks.
Hopefully well before that time a cure for these terrible diseases will be found.
Originally published here.
Wendy Moyer