Any type of cancer diagnosis will be worrisome for a person and his or her family. For Pennsylvanians and people across the nation who are diagnosed with cancer, there is inevitable fear when thinking about how to treat it. Some forms of cancer are deadlier than others, and mesothelioma is notoriously difficult to treat. Knowing how mesothelioma comes about is an essential factor in considering a potential legal filing for compensation to pay for treatment.
Understanding the risk factors for mesothelioma is the first aspect of determining whether the work a person did contributed to it. Asbestos exposure is a common way in which people will get pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos enters the body after being inhaled and goes to the lungs. Over time, pleural mesothelioma could result. Inhaling asbestos can also result in peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdomen. While asbestos occurs naturally, many people are exposed to it because of the work they did in the past.
Once perceived as a versatile and miraculous product, asbestos was used in many industries. This is especially concerning for people in Pennsylvania who worked in the following industries: mining, factories, installation, automobile manufacturing, ship building, plumbing and construction. Older buildings used asbestos to provide structural insulation. It is still found in buildings and must be removed for the safety of those who live, work and go to school there. The level of asbestos a person has inhaled is a fundamental factor to developing mesothelioma. In general, people who were exposed to asbestos can take 20 to 50 years to be diagnosed with mesothelioma. Even if the person is no longer exposed to asbestos, the risk does not reduce.
The list of jobs where asbestos was often used includes common types of employment in Pennsylvania. If the exposure came about on the job or by unknowingly living in or entering a building where it was present, a lawsuit is a potentially viable alternative. A legal professional may explain who might have been at risk, who is responsible and what steps to take to pursue compensation. When diagnosed with mesothelioma, a consultation with an experienced legal professional may be beneficial for a lawsuit.