The risk of Mesothelioma

The risk associated with the development of mesothelioma is derived from the prolonged inhalation of asbestos particles or dust. Due to the different uses or applications of asbestos, many people are at risk of developing mesothelioma, especially if their profession involves working with, handling, or being in the presence of asbestos.
However, the hazards associated with asbestos exposure will not be known until the mid-1970s, long after the material was used in various and different industries. For many who are diagnosed with the disease, the symptoms of mesothelioma do not seem much after the first exposure to asbestos, often long after they work in professions that involved the presence of asbestos.
What are the types of mesothelioma? - There are four known types of mesothelioma that exist, each bearing the name of the area or organ that they affect. The types of mesothelioma are:
1. Pleural mesothelioma: affects the lining of the lungs, also known as the pleura or the pleural lining. This is the most common type of mesothelioma, which affects around 70% to 75% of patients diagnosed with the disease.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma: It develops in the peritoneal lining, which is the protective lining of the abdominal cavity. This type of mesothelioma is the second most diagnosed, present in approximately 20% of patients with mesothelioma.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma: Formed in the protective sac that surrounds the heart, which is the pericardium. This type of mesothelioma is rare compared to the types of incidents, which occur in only 5% of mesothelioma cases.
4. Testicular mesothelioma: It develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testes and is the rarest type of mesothelioma, with only about 100 cases registered in total in the last 60 years.
Legal Issues Relating to Mesothelioma - After the dangers posed by exposure to asbestos are related as the main cause of mesothelioma, there were many disputes in the courts regarding compensation and damages.
The fact is that although reports on asbestos risks to human health were made public in the 1970s, knowledge of possible risks was well known before. Many companies that use asbestos products often did not adequately warn their employees about the inherent dangers and did not take the necessary precautions and safety procedures to protect their workers.
Due to inaction, many companies are responsible for their negligence to adequately provide for the health and welfare of their workers. Even today, mesothelioma and asbestos remain a common problem or the subject of litigation in the United States.
In the event that a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to seek legal advice to determine if compensation is due as a result of negligence on behalf of an employer or company.