People that are the most likely to
develop malignant mesothelioma
in their lifetimes are the people who have been exposed to asbestos.
These people usually get exposed to this carcinogen in their places of
employment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
particular groups of people are more heavily exposed to asbestos and
thus have a considerably higher risk of developing malignant
mesothelioma than the general population. These groups include shipyard
workers, plumbers, janitors, firefighters, electricians, maintenance
personnel, telephone repair workers, mechanics, installers of
insulation, asbestos mines and mills workers, producers of asbestos
products, heating industries personnel, construction personnel, trades
personnel, and even people who just happen to work close to a building
that deals with
asbestos.
Some
people may even be unknowingly exposed to it in their households. These
include family members of the workers who themselves unknowingly bring
in the asbestos into their respective homes. Asbestos is still also
being used as components of frequently used appliances such as hair
dryers, and it is also a popular component of home tiles, sidings,
ceilings and insulation. Thus, literally everyone is exposed to asbestos
in their everyday environment.
The Environmental Protection
Agency further states that there is no known safe level of exposure. A
short term exposure of 1 to 2 months could result in a diagnosis of a
malignant mesothelioma 20 to 40 years down the road.
Due to the
prolonged latency from asbestos exposure to the development of the
corresponding malignant mesothelioma, it is therefore very wise,
especially for people who belong in the highest risk group to seek the
counsel and services of asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers.
Asbestos
lawyers are attorneys who specialize in providing legal aid to anyone
who is suffering from asbestos-related diseases.
Mesothelioma lawyers
on the other hand are asbestos lawyers themselves who have further
sub-specialized and have decided to concentrate their talents and
efforts into just the nitty-gritty of the litigation process involving
malignant mesothelioma lawsuits.
These lawyers are certainly of
immense help for all claimants especially during the start of the
process. The start would revolve heavily around the process of drawing
up the legal papers necessary for filing for the claim and making sure
that these get filed before the date of the statutory deadline elapses.
This date varies depending on what type of claim the lawsuit is being
filed for. If the malignant mesothelioma lawsuit is filed as an injury
claim, then the date of statutory deadline would fall somewhere in the
months after a conclusive medical diagnosis has been put forth. If the
malignant mesothelioma lawsuit is filed as a claim for wrongful death,
then the statutory deadline date would be shortly after the death of the
claimant. Only the claimant's executor of estate is legally able to
file a claim for wrongful death.
Asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers
are also of tremendous benefit to claimants during the process of
determining which parties are liable and more importantly of locating
the specific source of the claimant's asbestos exposure. The latter
could be very difficult indeed because of the very long latency period
from exposure to manifestation of symptoms and ultimately diagnosis of
malignant mesothelioma.
In summary, people who belong to the
highest risk strata for contracting malignant mesothelioma should be
conscious of three things. First, they should be aware of the imminent
possibility that they could develop malignant mesothelioma in the next
20 or so years. Second, these people should also be aware of their
rights to claim compensation for damages. Finally, these people should
take the necessary precautions as early as possible, such as seeking the
counsel of
asbestos and
mesothelioma lawyers to help them deal with the
treacherous process of litigation.
Seomul Evans is a senior copywriter for
Asbestos daily writing about
Mesothelioma Lawyers.