Many Workers May Not Know of Asbestos Exposure Until Cancer Diagnosis
There are many cases of people who are unaware that they were even exposed to asbestos until symptoms of illness sent them to the doctor. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, but for such a harsh and dangerous mineral, it a can almost appear mild. It has no smell or taste, the fibers are small, delicate, and seem to be soft. Often times it can be invisible to the naked eye and does not immediately irritate the eyes, nose, or throat upon immediate exposure.
Many construction workers, steel mill workers, chemical plant workers, and other tradesmen who have later been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness may not connect their cancer to asbestos exposure for a number of reasons. One of those reasons could be that these workers were unaware they were even working with asbestos, and since the physical characteristics can be hard to distinguish from just regular dust in the air, they would have no way of knowing unless informed by their employer. The lack of knowledge regarding asbestos in the work place complicates the connection between asbestos and asbestos-related diseases. Workers who knew of asbestos in the work place but did not handle the mineral specifically might assume that they were safe. However, since asbestos fibers are easily airborne, the fibers can quickly travel and contaminate other areas of the work place through venting; filters often fail to catch these tiny fibers.
A Mesothelioma Diagnosis
The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. This means that if you or someone you loved has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, then at some point throughout their lives, they have been exposed to asbestos – regardless if they have any recollection of it. Mesothelioma victims may feel that because they cannot recall specifically when they were exposed, or what products caused them harm, they have no case.
Goldberg, Persky & White, P.C., Can Help
At Goldberg, Persky & White, P.C., we have been specializing in asbestos disease cases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma since the 1970s. For over 30 years we have been uncovering corporate documents that prove companies who manufactured and sold asbestos-containing products knew in the 1940s that their products caused cancer. Through purchase orders, invoices, and other documentation accumulated over the years, GPW is able to know what asbestos products were sent to various work sites – piecing together the puzzle in determining where you were exposed and how. Contact GPW today for a free, no obligation consultation and we will help piece together your past asbestos exposure to receive the compensation you deserve.
