Is there still a risk of inhaling asbestos in the U.S. today?

Low amounts of asbestos may be found in various manufactured goods, especially building materials. Some common examples of these materials include roofing shingles, floor tiles, ceilings, certain paper products, etc.

Asbestos can also be found in certain products in the automobile industry. Examples include clutches, brakes, and transmission parts.  

This mineral was used in the textile industry for decades because of its ability to resist heat and certain corrosive elements. For this reason, some blankets, ropes, and firefighter outfights may contain asbestos.

Away from industries, some common household products have also been found to contain asbestos. Examples of these products include certain makeup products, and children’s toys, such as crayons and fingerprint kits.

In addition, asbestos may be found in cigarette filters, hair dryers, ashtray coasters, potholders, and zeolite insulation, among other products. For this reason, it is fair to conclude that there is still a risk of inhaling asbestos in the U.S., whether at home or in public places.

Consult a doctor as soon as possible if you have a reason to believe you were exposed to asbestos. Your doctor will conduct several tests to determine the severity of the exposure. In most cases, a one-off exposure might not be lethal. However, repeated exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma.

Your doctor will review your level of exposure to determine whether there should be any reason for concern. If exposed, your doctor will monitor your symptoms and recommend the right treatment plan.

The most common asbestos exposure symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, and chest pain. However, do not self-diagnose; only a professional doctor can determine whether you have been exposed. This explains why it is important to consult a doctor as soon as you suspect you have been exposed to asbestos.

Your doctor will conduct several tests, including but not limited to X-rays, CT scans, and imaging tests, to determine if you have been exposed. In addition, the doctor will listen to your lungs as you breathe to find out whether or not you have any breathing complications.

The most important thing to do is to follow your doctor’s advice. Depending on the level of exposure, your doctor might recommend treatment immediately. The treatment is usually meant to help you breathe better.

In addition, you may be required to quit certain habits. For example, if you are a smoker, this habit could worsen the situation. Depending on the stage of the disease, your doctor might recommend chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, among other treatment methods.

You need an attorney if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. An experienced attorney will determine the parties responsible for your condition.

Such an attorney can also help collect crucial evidence to support your case. Bear in mind that there is no cure for mesothelioma. For this reason, you will likely need long-term medical attention if diagnosed with this disease. A seasoned attorney will identify the parties responsible for the exposure and ensure you and your loved ones receive fair compensation.

The exact amount of compensation you may be able to recover will depend on the kind of damages you suffered due to the exposure. Specifically, your attorney will evaluate the economic and non-economic damages suffered to determine how much compensation you may be entitled to.

Examples of economic damages include medical expenses, caregiving costs, transport costs to and from your medical appointments, cost of medical equipment, lost wages, loss of earning potential, and so on.

On the other hand, non-economic damages include the likes of pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, etc.

After evaluating all these damages, your attorney will let you know what kind of compensation to expect if you win your case.

Since there is no treatment for mesothelioma, most jurisdictions tend to fast-track these lawsuits. In addition, if the other party agrees to settle out of court, the whole process will take a shorter duration than when settled in court. That said, the exact timeline will depend on factors such as the complexity of the case and the other party’s willingness to settle.

At Morgan and Morgan, we understand how difficult it is to deal with such a frightening condition, and the last thing we want is to stress you with attorney fees and other expenses you will likely be unable to afford. For this reason, if you have a valid claim, our attorneys will fight for you and not charge you anything unless they win. This system creates a win-win situation because you have nothing to lose but so much to gain.

Have you or your loved one been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure? If so, Morgan and Morgan asbestos attorneys may be able to fight for you. Fill out our free case evaluation form today to get started.