Asbestos Poisoning: Understanding Its Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Asbestos poisoning encompasses numerous illnesses resulting from contact with asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral utilized in more than 3,000 items spanning industries like construction, automotive manufacturing, textiles, and household goods.


Asbestos poisoning


Throughout the 20th century, numerous companies producing or distributing asbestos-containing products obscured the associated risks from both employees and the general population, potentially endangering millions.

Sokolove Law, a nationally recognized firm specializing in asbestos cases for over four decades, has aided numerous victims of asbestos exposure and their families in seeking compensation. They advocate for holding accountable the companies responsible for the illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.

 

 

How Do You Get Asbestos Poisoning?

Asbestos poisoning arises from inhaling or swallowing airborne asbestos fibers, leading to subsequent illness.

Any activity, such as cutting, drilling, sanding, or replacing asbestos-containing materials, can release asbestos dust into the air, posing a significant health hazard due to the minuscule size of the fibers.

Workers handling asbestos might inadvertently carry these fibers on their clothing or hair, unknowingly exposing their families to secondhand asbestos when they return home, potentially jeopardizing the health of their loved ones.

 

 

What Asbestos Poisoning Does to the Body?

No amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe. Upon inhalation or ingestion, asbestos can penetrate the lungs, digestive tract, and other bodily regions, remaining unprocessed as the body lacks the means to break it down. Consequently, these fibers persist, causing gradual harm.

As quoted by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, "Wherever these fibers travel, they cause harm or alterations in cells they encounter."

The prolonged presence of asbestos fibers may result in chronic irritation, potentially culminating in the emergence of severe diseases over several decades.

 

 

Potential asbestos-related diseases include:

Asbestosis: This non-cancerous condition triggers significant lung scarring, hampering breathing. Continued scarring results in lung stiffening, which, in severe cases, can prove fatal.

Lung cancer: Asbestos exposure accounts for an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 annual lung cancer fatalities, reports the Environmental Working Group.

Mesothelioma: Each year, around 3,000 individuals receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, with approximately one-third of cases involving U.S. veterans.

Other asbestos-related cancers: Contact with asbestos heightens the risk of various cancers throughout the body, including ovarian and throat cancer, among others.

 

 

Who Is Most at Risk of Asbestos Poisoning?

The most vulnerable to asbestos exposure are workers whose careers involved frequent contact with asbestos-containing materials, notably trade workers.

These high-risk occupations encompass:

  • Aircraft mechanics
  • Auto mechanics
  • Boilermakers
  • Carpenters
  • Construction workers
  • Electricians
  • Firefighters
  • Insulators
  • Painters
  • Plumbers
  • Shipyard workers
  • Union workers
  • U.S. Navyveterans

Even after retiring, these individuals remain at risk of developing ailments associated with asbestos exposure. Recognizing the risks and consulting a doctor upon exhibiting symptoms related to asbestos poisoning is crucial.

 

 

 

What Are the First Signs of Asbestos Poisoning?

Asbestos exposure often leads to symptoms that might not manifest for decades, leaving individuals unaware of when or how they encountered asbestos.

Typical symptoms of asbestos poisoning encompass:

  • Chest pain
  • Persistent cough
  • Fatigue
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Weight loss

However, as asbestos exposure can result in various illnesses, symptoms may differ.

If you're encountering any of these indications, it's crucial to promptly consult your doctor and discuss potential asbestos exposure. Screening tests can aid in diagnosing potential asbestos-related diseases. 

 

Asbestos Poisoning Treatment Options

Victims of asbestos poisoning have the potential to enhance their quality of life and extend their lifespan through seeking appropriate treatment. Treatment approaches for asbestos poisoning vary based on the patient's diagnosis, overall health, and individual factors.

  • For noncancerous conditions like asbestosis, treatment might entail:
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation to bolster lung function
  • Utilization of portable oxygen tanks for supplemental oxygen

As for asbestos-related cancers, treatments typically align with standard cancer protocols, involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of these methods.

Regrettably, treatment expenses can be substantial, often exceeding insurance coverage. Families affected by asbestos-related diseases may pursue compensation through various means, and Sokolove Law is available to offer potential assistance in these cases.

 

 

Sokolove Law: Fighting for Asbestos Poisoning Victims for Over 40

Years

No family should face the financial challenges and uncertainties of asbestos-related illnesses without support. If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis related to asbestos exposure, our team of lawyers specializing in asbestos cases is committed to providing assistance.

For more than four decades, Sokolove Law has been dedicated to advocating for individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions, successfully securing over $9.1 Billion in compensation for victims nationwide.

There are several potential avenues for victims and their families to seek compensation:

Asbestos trust funds: Companies accountable for asbestos-related harm established trusts to compensate victims, with approximately $30 Billion still available in these trusts.

Mesothelioma lawsuits: Legal action against responsible companies can seek accountability for asbestos exposure. Settlements from such lawsuits, often settled outside of court, typically range between $1 Million and $1.4 Million.

VA benefits: Veterans and their families may qualify for monthly compensation and healthcare benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

 

These financial resources can assist in covering treatment costs and offer some relief during this challenging time.


Mesothelioma Asbestosis




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