The Lingering Threat of Asbestos: Over 237,000 Asbestos-Related Deaths in 18 Years

Asbestos is far from a relic of the past, as its deadly legacy continues to haunt countless Americans. 

According to the Environmental Working Group Action Fund, 12,000–15,000 people in the U.S. die each year from asbestos-related diseases. From 1999 to 2017, over 237,000 deaths due to asbestos exposure were reported. This staggering figure is a sobering reminder that asbestos exposure remains a critical public health crisis.

Why Asbestos Still Kills

Long Latency, Lifelong Impact

Asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to manifest. That means exposures decades ago are resulting in ongoing deaths today.

 

Continued Exposure Across Industries

Asbestos was once omnipresent in building materials, shipyards, power plants, and industrial products. Places like Minnesota’s Iron Range, North Carolina’s industrial coasts, and former processing sites like W.R. Grace in Minneapolis remain areas of elevated risk.

In fact, the World Health Organization reports that approximately 125 million people worldwide are currently exposed to asbestos in the workplace.

 

Legal Accountability and Corporate Negligence

Evidence shows that many asbestos manufacturers were aware of the dangers but concealed them to protect profits. This deliberate disregard significantly contributed to the human toll.

 

The Human Cost of Asbestos Exposure

The diseases related to asbestos exposure can be severe, devastating, and even deadly, including:

• Mesothelioma, virtually always linked to asbestos, is aggressive and often diagnosed late, with a poor prognosis. Most patients survive only about a year after detection.
• Lung cancer, which can be indistinguishable from other forms, may account for 3–8% of all lung cancer cases and is especially deadly in smokers with asbestos exposure.
• Asbestosis, a progressive lung scarring condition from long-term exposure, continues to cause hundreds of deaths annually.
  
   

What Morgan & Morgan Can Do to Help

As America’s largest personal injury law firm, Morgan & Morgan is positioned to help individuals affected by asbestos-related diseases pursue justice and seek compensation for their suffering.

But holding negligent companies accountable for exposing people to asbestos is about more than compensation. It’s about accountability and awareness. Morgan & Morgan stands ready to advocate for those harmed, helping them navigate complex legal landscapes, file claims, or secure settlements. A claim can help victims fight to cover medical treatment and future care, compensate for pain, suffering, and lost income, and hold negligent companies accountable and deter future violators.

If you or someone you love has suffered due to asbestos exposure, don’t wait to contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.