Mesothelioma is a very deadly and extremely painful type of cancer that is caused be asbestos exposure. Asbestos can also cause other cancers and asbestosis, a non-cancerous but fatal lung disease. If you live or have lived in Detroit, you may be at an elevated risk for asbestos-related illness. Our experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys can help you and your family get the compensation that you need.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is often confused with lung cancer, but it is a different type of cancer and it can attack other areas of the body. The mesothelium is the protective membrane that surrounds the organs in your body. The pleura is the mesothelium that surrounds the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type. Pericardial mesothelioma affects the protective sac around the heart. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen.
It normally takes 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure to develop the symptoms of mesothelioma.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is not cancer, but it is a debilitating illness that can be fatal. In asbestosis, scar tissue forms in the lungs. At first it causes shortness of breath during physical activity, but as more and more scar tissue forms, lung capacity is reduced, and the symptoms get much worse. Eventually the heart can fail from working too hard trying to compensate for the lack of oxygen.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos fibers are very tiny. They typically get into the body by inhalation, but they can also be ingested. Asbestos is found in older homes and buildings and in many industries including the automotive industry. Workers in high risk industries are the most likely to develop mesothelioma and asbestosis. Family members are often exposed when workers bring home high concentrations of asbestos in the clothing.
If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, please call our Detroit, Michigan mesothelioma attorneys or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation with our personal injury lawyers is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, in most cases we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.