I have been a mesothelioma lawyer for over three decades, but I still recall some of the first meetings I had with mesothelioma victims who had been exposed to asbestos while repairing ships at a naval shipyard. I never forget that many of them wanted to know why they could bring a lawsuit for their mesothelioma when they knew many others who had some type of cancer but had no such claims. I realized at that moment how important it is for mesothelioma victims to understand the reasons behind their legal claims.
Mesothelioma-An Avoidable Cancer
Mesothelioma is, and should have been, a completely avoidable cancer. It is caused by breathing asbestos dust—whether it is asbestos dust in the workplace or asbestos dust taken home to the family on the workers’ clothes. The asbestos dust is released into the air when workers handle and manipulate the asbestos products as they carry out their jobs. Once airborne, this deadly dust is breathed by the workers and carried home by them because it settles on their hair and clothing. The companies who sold products that utilized asbestos knew that breathing asbestos dust was dangerous and potentially deadly.
The relationship between asbestos dust and malignant mesothelioma is one of the most well-proven cause and effects in all of cancer medicine. Many of my clients become angry and upset when they learn that the industry knew of the dangers of asbestos, but failed to warn about this hazard.
Companies Had a Legal Duty to Warn-But Didn’t
There are laws in each state known as “products liability” laws. These laws spell out clearly the duties that companies have when they sell products, especially products that utilize a dangerous material like asbestos. Companies are required to sell products that are safe. When a product was dangerous because it included asbestos, companies were required to warn about the hazard of breathing the asbestos. In this way, workers and others had the opportunity to take precautions so that they would not be exposed to this dust.
But my clients never had the chance to protect themselves, or in some cases a loved one at home who contracted mesothelioma as a result of the asbestos dust brought home on the bodies and clothing of the workers. The companies who sold products that utilized asbestos did not place warnings on their products and equipment about the dangers of asbestos. As a result, those who have contracted mesothelioma as a result of their unknowingly breathing this deadly dust have legal claims against these companies for the damages they have suffered.
Recoveries from Lawsuit Aid with Expenses of Mesothelioma Treatment
My mesothelioma clients also know firsthand how the recoveries from their lawsuit can be of significance to them and their families. Getting the proper medical treatment for their mesothelioma is both mine and my clients’ top priority. Treatment for mesothelioma can be very expensive. In addition to medical costs, clients also face the bills and expenses of providing for themselves and their families while they are sick. The recoveries from their lawsuit enable clients to pay these kinds of expenses. It is important to all of our clients that they do all they can to provide for their families and the recoveries they receive in their lawsuits often gives them great comfort.
