Because Expericence Matters

Asbestos/Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral commonly used in a variety of construction materials for insulation. The long-term risks associated with exposure to asbestos have prompted the EPA and federal government to outlaw several types of asbestos. However, asbestos is still present in over 3000 products used today in construction and industrial businesses. Asbestos is most commonly found in materials such as pipe and boiler insulation, cements and plasters, construction materials, firebrick and gunnite, roofing and flooring, and fireproofing spray, among other things.

Exposure to asbestos has shown to have significant short-term and devastating long-term ramifications. Acute effects of asbestos exposure can include shortness of breath, chest and abdominal pain, and irritation of the skin a mucous membranes. Tiny fibers of asbestos can become lodged in the lungs creating irreversible scarring, also known as asbestosis. Asbestosis is a non-cancerous condition that can lead to serious lung damage and heart failure. Asbestos can also cause lung disease and several types of chest and abdominal cancer. Mesothelioma, a rare and dangerous form of cancer, is a disease almost exclusively attributed to asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that attacks the membrane lining of the abdominal and chest cavities. The tissue, called the mesothelium, which protects the organs of the body with a lubricating fluid, is destroyed by mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is typically the result of exposure to asbestos in the household or on the job and can go undetected for 30 or 40 years after exposure.

Mesothelioma can be difficult to detect due to its non-specific symptoms. Early stages may be characterized by shortness of breath, chest pain and a persistent cough. A chest x-ray of a person suffering from mesothelioma will show a fluid build up or pleural effusion. Some people however may show no symptoms of the cancer in the beginning stages. These ambiguous symptoms may be the result of mesothelioma or a less serious illness. Your doctor is the only one that can make a proper diagnosis. If you believe that you may be suffering from asbestos induced mesothelioma cancer, contact your doctor to discuss your health concerns today.

Exposure to asbestos is most likely to occur on the job, putting workers at the greatest risk. Insulators, plumbers, plasterers, boilermakers, shipyard workers, bricklayers, steel workers and maintenance works have a heightened risk for hazardous exposure to the fibrous material. Asbestos can be most dangerous when it is air born. Fibrous materials break away from the substance and can become unknowingly lodged in the lungs causing severe long-term damage.

Asbestos affects 1.3 million employees in the construction and other industrial professions today. Many people that are now experiencing symptoms of asbestos exposure or are suffering from mesothelioma or other related cancers were exposed to the substance decades ago unknowingly. Numerous cases of asbestos-related illness have recently developed in retired naval officers exposed to asbestos years, or even decades ago.

If you suspect that your home or work may have a risk of asbestos, it is important to contact a professional contractor to remedy the problem. Do not cut, pull or shave materials containing asbestos for risk of releasing the fibers into the air.

If you or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure resulting in serious side affects such as mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering. It is important to contact an asbestos attorney, who is experience and knowledgeable in asbestos legal issues and can help you best maximize your legal interests.

The Miller Firm, LLC
The Sherman Building
108 Railroad Avenue
Orange, Virginia 22960
Toll free: 866-529-3323
Phone: 540-672-4224
Fax: 540-672-3055


Alexandria, VA Office
105 North Alfred Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Toll Free: (800) 882-2525
Phone: (703) 519-8080
Fax: (703) 519-8084


Philadelphia Office
555 East City Avenue
Suite 910
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Toll Free: (800) 689-6959
Phone: (610) 660-0622
Fax: (610) 660-0628