| Asbestos is a naturally occurring
group of strong and flexible mineral fibers that are also fire-resistant.
As a result of these qualities, asbestos has been used in more
than 3000 consumer, industrial, maritime, automotive and building
products.
But what was good for business was bad for health. Hundreds of
thousands of workers exposed to asbestos are at risk for
asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Many thousands have already
fallen victim to asbestos related illnesses and died.
Because of health concerns surrounding asbestos exposure, the
United States banned all new uses of asbestos in July 1989. Most
asbestos uses established before that date are still allowed, but
are now strictly regulated by the government.
If you or a loved one suffers from asbestosis, mesothelioma, silicosis
or other complications of asbestos exposure, you might be entitled
to compensation. For more information regarding your legal options
and rights, contact
the Law Offices of Jeffrey H. Rasansky.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers resulting
in irritation and inflammation of the lungs. The body responds
by attempting to break down and neutralize the asbestos fibers.
Because asbestos fibers do not break down, the body’s
attempts to correct the situation result in further damage and
a build-up of scar tissue. This scar tissue eventually prevents
oxygen and carbon dioxide from traveling through the lungs and
into the blood stream, making breathing more difficult.
Symptoms of asbestosis take 10-30 years to develop, so early
treatment and detection is not an option.
Common symptoms of asbestosis include:
- Shortness of breath
- Dry cough
- X-ray changes
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can be caused by Asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma
is a rare form of cancer, which attacks the lining of the lungs,
chest and organs in the abdominal area. Exposure to asbestos is
the only known cause of this Mesothelioma cancer. Mesothelioma
can affect people who were exposed to asbestos for as little as
one month, but it can take up to 30 years for symptoms to surface. Given this, early symptoms of Mesothelioma are often confused
or attributed to other illnesses, thus delaying treatment.
Mesothelioma Symptoms include:
- Chest or abdominal pains
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Weight loss
- Sexual dysfunction
Silicosis
Asbestos exposure can also cause Silicosis. As one of the oldest
known occupational diseases, silicosis continues to kill at least
300 people annually. Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused
by breathing dust containing extremely fine particles of crystalline
silica. Crystalline silica is essentially dust and as it enters the lungs,
it causes inflammation. This inflammation leads to scar tissue
formation, which obstructs the flow of oxygen into the lungs and
bloodstream, making breathing increasingly difficult for the victim.
Silicosis takes an average of 20-45 years to develop. Unfortunately,
it continues to progress even after exposure to crystalline silica
has stopped. Damage from silicosis is irreversible.
Silicosis symptoms
include:
- Shortness of breath
- Severe cough
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Cyanosis (blue skin)
- Chest Pains
Statistics show that over 3 million workers in the U.S. are
exposed to silica dust and at risk of developing Silicosis. Any
activity that breaks rocks, concrete or any other material that
contains silica can create silica dust. Workers at the greatest
risk of silicosis work in:
- Mines
- Quarries
- Foundries
- Glass Making
- Ceramics
- Masonry
- Construction
- Sandblasting
- Ship building
- Manufacturing of soaps and detergents
- Agriculture
Sadly, these workers suffer needlessly as the effects of silicosis
are 100 percent preventable. According to OSHA,
many workers’ exposure
to silica is rooted in their employers’ failure to comply
with federal safety standards for acceptable levels of silica exposure.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) outlines how to prevent
silicosis in construction workers. If you or a loved one has suffered from the devastating effects
of silicosis, contact
the Law Offices of Jeffrey H. Rasansky to
discuss your legal rights and options.
Go here for more information about possible Asbestos
Class Action Lawsuits.
Commitment to Personal Injury Clients
Personal Injury lawyer Jeffrey H. Rasansky has one mission: to
fight for the rights of personal injury victims, people just like
you. Jeff has successfully represented victims of: personal injury,
nursing home abuse, nursing home neglect, nursing home negligence,
medical malpractice, car wrecks and product liability.
Jeff Rasansky is licensed to practice before all state courts
in Texas, the United States District Courts in the Northern and
Eastern Districts of Texas and the Fifth United States Circuit
Court of Appeals.
Click here to contact
The Rasansky Law Firm.
|
