Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the thin membrane around your lungs. Its name originated from “mesos” which means middle and “thelios” which means thin layer. Mesothelioma was first described by British surgeon Percival Pott in 1849
The “mesothelioma lawsuit after death” is a legal issue that has been around for some time. The law firm of “Baker & Hostetler LLP” has filed a lawsuit against the United States government and other parties who were responsible for the asbestos exposure.
(This page was last updated on August 15, 2018)
Companies knew asbestos caused illnesses like mesothelioma for decades, yet they continued to put their employees at risk.
Mesothelioma is one of the most well-known cases of corporate fraud. Asbestos exposure is the sole cause of this lethal type of lung cancer. Despite the fact that asbestos has been known to cause cancer since the 1930s, firms have used it in construction materials and insulation for decades, threatening the health of both personnel and customers.
Every year, an estimated 2,000-3,000 instances of mesothelioma are detected, for which businesses pay a high price. Asbestos lawsuit is the world’s greatest mass tort.
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Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos
Inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma. Asbestos is a word used to describe six different kinds of cancer-causing minerals that are recognized for their fibrous forms and heat and chemical resistance.
Asbestos fine fibers are often thrown into the air when it is handled. When breathed, these shard-like threads adhere to the organs’ protective mesothelium layers, where they may remain for years. They eventually turn into malignant cells in the body, which don’t usually show signs for 15 to 20 years after exposure.
The most prevalent kind of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs; peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the belly; pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the heart; and tunica vaginalis mesothelioma (an extremely rare disease that affects the testicles).
Mesothelioma is a malignancy that is particularly aggressive, with 50% of patients dying within 18 months of diagnosis. According to the International Labor Organization, asbestos-related disease would kill 10 million people by 2030.
Millions of people were threatened by the “magic mineral.”
Asbestos’ long-lasting properties have been recognized for thousands of years; the material has been discovered in Stone Age and Ancient Egyptian artifacts. Asbestos, on the other hand, was not extensively utilized until the early twentieth century, when it was first mined and shipped globally.
Because of its heat and chemical resistance, asbestos was marketed as a “wonder mineral.” It was mostly utilized in construction and insulation, but it was also found in automobile components and textiles. The United States Navy was particularly fond of asbestos, and during the 1930s and 1970s, practically every US naval ship had several tons of the material.
Asbestos exposure was linked to cancer as early as the 1930s, and studies in the 1970s established it to be a carcinogen. Despite this early understanding, an estimated 27 million American employees were exposed to asbestos between the 1940s and 1970s, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Survivors of Natural Disasters Exposed to Asbestos
Despite the fact that asbestos usage has decreased dramatically in recent years, Americans may still be exposed to it if older buildings are poorly demolished or refurbished. When government officials stress speed above safety during disaster cleanup, safety laws are often disregarded.
When the two towers fell, an estimated 2,000 tons of asbestos was discharged.
When the two buildings fell on 9/11, an estimated 2,000 tons of asbestos was spilled, blanketing Lower Manhattan in poisonous dust. To make things worse, many cleaning and search-and-rescue employees lacked sufficient protective equipment. Following the catastrophe, an estimated 41,000 persons were exposed to asbestos. Dust-exposed search and rescue personnel are twice as likely to get mesothelioma.
Following Hurricane Katrina, asbestos became a public health issue. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cautioned that flood waters might include up to 100 contaminants, including asbestos. The demolition and disposal of asbestos-containing building materials did not follow EPA requirements, exacerbating the situation. Asbestos and other hazardous debris were dumped in conventional landfills that were not designed to trap contaminants, exposing countless people to the dangerous substance.
Asbestos is still not banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a “major new-use regulation” that, if enacted, could give asbestos producers a green light.
The Clean Air Act of 1970 now lists and regulates asbestos as a pollutant. Despite the fact that it is regulated, the United States has yet to join the 55 nations that have outlawed it.
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, which authorizes the EPA to regulate compounds that pose unacceptable health or environmental concerns, the EPA tried to prohibit asbestos in 1989. Despite 10,000 pages of data demonstrating the chemical’s dangerous consequences, the asbestos business prevailed in a federal appeals court.
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The Ban Asbestos in America Act was offered again in 2007, however the measure died in Congress.
The Toxic Substances Power Act was revised in June 2016 to give the EPA additional control over the regulation of harmful substances. Asbestos was one of the first substances to be reviewed, according to the EPA.
However, rather than moving closer to a nationwide prohibition, the United States seems to have taken a step backwards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a “substantial new-use rule” (SNUR) in 2018, which, if enacted, could give asbestos producers a green light.
15 uses of asbestos would be subject to a federal safety evaluation under the SNUR. However, detractors claim that if a producer wants to use asbestos for a purpose other than those listed by the EPA, they may do so without any scrutiny.
Who is at Risk of Mesothelioma Development?
Mesothelioma may occur in anybody who has been exposed to asbestos. The following groups are especially vulnerable to acquiring mesothelioma:
- Workers in the construction industry
- Workers on the railroad
- Workers at the shipyard
- Veterans of the war (especially from the U.S. Navy)
- Boilermakers
- Mechanics
- Miners
- Refinery employees
- Those who answer first
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
The most prevalent kind of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, may cause the following symptoms:
- Breathing problems
- Wheezing
- Cough that does not go away
- Inflammation of the lungs
- Pain in the chest
- Fever
- Loss of weight
- Sweating excessively
- Fatigue
Visit our Mesothelioma side effects page for more information.
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The World’s Longest Mass Tort
Because the risks of asbestos had been recognized for decades, mesothelioma patients began pursuing workers compensation claims in the 1960s.
Asbestos lawsuit is expected to cost between $200 and $265 billion in compensation.
The bulk of recent mesothelioma claims have been handled through a mass district litigation (MDL) in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Judges referred mesothelioma cases to the MDL from 1991 through 2012, making mesothelioma the longest-running mass tort in history.
More than 8,500 defendants and 700,000 plaintiffs are believed to have been engaged in asbestos-related litigation to far. It’s also one of the most expensive cases for defendants, with estimates ranging from $200 billion to $265 billion in damages.
Asbestos is a toxic substance that has been used in building materials for many years. It was banned in the United States in the 1970s, but asbestos lawsuits are still being filed today. Reference: asbestos lawsuit history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average settlement for a mesothelioma case?
A: Mesothelioma is a cancer that starts in the cells of the lining around the lungs and major organs like the heart, stomach, or intestines.
How much is mesothelioma compensation?
A: Mesothelioma compensation is determined by the type of cancer and how much damage it has caused. This can range from tens to hundreds thousands of dollars depending on the case.
What is the average settlement for asbestos cases?
A: The average settlement for asbestos cases in the United States is $5,906.
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