What you can do if you believe you have been exposed to asbestos

Exposure to asbestos fibers can be a devastating event. Medical research has long documented the causal connection between the inhalation of asbestos fibers and a lethal form of lung cancer known as pleural mesothelioma. People have been and are exposed to asbestos fibers in many environments: shipyards, ships, heavy industry, work involving steam lines, the textile industry, the armed forces, the construction trades and many others.

Mesothelioma has what is called a long “latency period.” The latency period is the time between the first exposure to asbestos fibers and the appearance of noticeable symptoms. Mesothelioma usually reveals its presence as a persistent cough or difficulty in breathing. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical care.

What happens if the doctor finds mesothelioma or asbestosis? The first step is obtaining competent medical treatment. The second is exploring the possibility of seeking money damages from the companies that were responsible for the asbestos exposure in the first place.

Because of mesothelioma’s long latency period, the precise time and nature of the exposure can be difficult to pin down. This difficulty makes it essential to consult a lawyer or law firm with significant experience in evaluating and prosecuting these kinds of cases. These lawyers keep large files on companies whose use or manufacture of asbestos has made them liable for such damages. Visit the web site of Wallace Graham, which explains the firm’s many years of experience in asbestos litigation and answers many common questions about the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. The site also provides convenient contact information.