MESOTHELIOMA AND ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

How Mesothelioma Continues to Plague American Workers

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WHAT IS MESOTHELIOMA?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer

that typically affects the lungs. It is an

aggressive cancer and very difficult to

treat. Though there are several types of

mesothelioma, the most common is

pleural mesothelioma, which begins in the

chest cavity.www.louthianlaw.com

THE CONNECTION TO ASBESTOS

The large majority of mesotheliomas are caused by

exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring material

that was commonly used in buildings and ships in the

United States until its use was banned over four

decades ago. Despite this ban, several structures still

contain asbestos. Once airborne and inhaled, asbestos

carries a greater risk of causing mesothelioma, lung

cancer, asbestosis and certain other respiratory

illnesses.

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WORKPLACE-RELATED MESOTHELIOMA

Because asbestos becomes more

dangerous once it is released into the air,

the people primarily affected by asbestos-

related illnesses are workers that have

worked with or around asbestos. In fact,

almost all mesothelioma cases are

workplace-related. www.louthianlaw.com

WHO IS LIKELY TO GET MESOTHELIOMA?

Certain types of workers are more likely than others to develop mesothelioma. The three most common industries include:

Ship and boat building and repairing

Petroleum refining

Industrial and miscellaneous chemicals.

The three most common occupations are:

Insulation workers

Chemical technicians

Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters.

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PREVALENCE OF MESOTHELIOMA IN THE U.S. AND SOUTH CAROLINA

• From 1999 to 2015, 45,221 people died of malignant

mesothelioma.

• The number of annual deaths from mesothelioma was

greater in 2015 than in 1999, despite projections that

mesothelioma would decrease over that period.

• Between 1999 and 2013, the number of

mesothelioma-related deaths in South Carolina

totaled 470.

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A SLOW ONSET

Though mesothelioma can be very

aggressive once it manifests, the onset of

this illness can take several years. After

being exposed to asbestos fibers, a

person might not develop mesothelioma

for anywhere from 20 to 70 years.

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SIGNS OF MESOTHELIOMA

At first, mesothelioma might seem like a nagging case of flu, though

symptoms eventually become more pronounced and persistent. These

symptoms include:

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Trouble swallowing

Nausea and

vomiting

Constipation

Chest pain

Irregular heartbeat

Excessive sweating

Trouble breathing

Persistent cough

Pain under the rib cage, in the

abdomen or in the chest

Fluid or swelling in the abdomen

Weight loss for no known reason

DIFFICULTY WITH DIAGNOSIS

Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnosis

because:

It has an extremely long latency period.

Its symptoms can resemble other types of cancer.

It might initially appear to be a less-serious condition.

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WHAT TO DO IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE MESOTHELIOMA

If you believe you have mesothelioma, you should

inform a doctor and seek immediate medical treatment.

Once mesothelioma takes hold of a sufferer, it can be

extremely aggressive. You might also be able to take

legal action to get compensation for the damages

related to your condition. Companies that put workers in

danger of mesothelioma can be held accountable for

their negligence.

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CONTACT BERT LOUTHIAN FOR LEGAL COUNSEL

The Louthian Law Firm has been assisting injured workers for decades, ensuring that they get the

compensation they deserve. If you’d like to learn more about your legal options, contact Bert Louthian to

schedule a free consultation. Call us today at (888) 303-1209 or fill out our online contact form to get started.