The Risk of Secondary Asbestos Exposure
Cancer is an insidious disease that touches nearly every family in the country. It can be diagnosed and detected, but often there is no direct correlation to the cause. For instance, someone can develop lung cancer even if they’ve never smoked.
However, there is one form of cancer that does have a direct cause.
That would be mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos. This is an aggressive form of cancer that can be dormant for decades before being diagnosed. It is also a type of cancer that can be caused by secondary asbestos exposure. The other issue to consider with asbestos exposure is that it can often be traced back to a specific source.
In such instances, the person diagnosed with mesothelioma is entitled to seek a remedy that provides compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and any associated pain and suffering.
The experienced Chicago mesothelioma lawyers at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP have helped many clients pursue a fair settlement to alleviate the immense financial and emotional burdens this disease causes. That support also extends to anyone who has developed mesothelioma from secondary asbestos exposure.
How Does Secondary Asbestos Exposure Occur?
The best way to think about secondary asbestos exposure is to consider it a form of transfer. This occurs when someone working directly in an asbestos-laden environment brings those fibers home.
The fibers aren’t as visible as cat fur, but once they’ve been brought into the home, they can quickly spread from clothes, shoes, body, hair, and skin. You can pick up that transfer if you do someone’s laundry or even give them a hug.
The fibers can also become embedded in carpeting, drapes, and furniture. Once the fibers are in the home, they can become airborne and inhaled by anyone living in the house. That puts everyone at risk of exposure.
According to data collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are currently 733,000 significant commercial and public buildings in the country where dangerous levels of asbestos have been detected. Most of these buildings were constructed before the 1960s.
Because of its widespread use before the ban, asbestos could be found in some of the following locations:
- Spray-on insulation
- Floor tiles
- Roof coating
- Aluminum sheeting
- Steel columns
- Drywall
There are also specific “hot zones” that are often industrial sites that are closed and undergoing remediation and cleanup.
Here in Chicago, some of those zones are the following:
- Steel plants along the Calumet River
- Rail yards such as the 47th Street Yard and Proviso Yard
- Shipyards and dry docks on Lake Michigan
- High-rise construction and renovation projects throughout the Loop and surrounding neighborhoods
- Power plants and boiler rooms across the city and suburbs
- Public housing renovations and old municipal buildings
If you or someone in your family has worked in or around those areas, you may want to consider getting an examination that looks explicitly for Mesothelioma.
What Are the Health Risks of Secondary Asbestos Exposure?
The Cleveland Clinic describes mesothelioma as “a rare cancer that can form in the lining around your lungs (pleura) or abdominal organs (peritoneum). Rarely, mesothelioma affects the sac around your heart (pericardium) or the lining around your testicles (tunica vaginalis). Mesothelioma originates in the mesothelium, a type of tissue that forms a lining that surrounds and protects certain organs. It often creates multiple tumors that can sometimes combine into a sheet over the affected organs, making it hard to treat.”
That description would apply to anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma from secondary exposure. Secondary asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural plaques, and asbestosis. The latency period for the disease can be anywhere from 20 to 60 years.
According to recent data, 15% of mesothelioma cases come from secondary asbestos exposure.
Too often, secondary exposure cases are misdiagnosed. A delay in diagnosis can worsen the prognosis. If someone in your home or family has been diagnosed, it is a good idea to be proactive and check with your doctor, especially if you are experiencing any of the symptoms as detailed by the Mayo Clinic:
- Chest pain
- Painful coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Lumps under the skin on the chest
- Tiredness
- Weight loss without trying
Although mesothelioma is considered rare, it is nonetheless taken very seriously. Medical researchers have made significant strides in developing effective treatment protocols that combine chemotherapy with immunotherapy. The work continues, but early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.
When to Seek Compensation
A mesothelioma diagnosis that is linked to secondary asbestos exposure presents enormous challenges for all involved. Knowing that you can pursue compensation to alleviate some of the financial pressures can provide a measure of comfort.
The experienced mesothelioma attorneys at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, are dedicated to helping our clients file claims and hold those companies responsible for the exposure accountable.
In many instances, funds are already in place for workers and their families. It is simply a matter of gathering the relevant evidence and having a strong advocate on your side. You’ll find that at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP. Call to set up a free case review today.
You don’t have to go through this alone.
