Asbestos Related Lung Cancer
Breathing in Asbestos
When airborne, lightweight asbestos fibres are easily inhaled by workers at construction sites and in industrial settings. The small, thin fibres are hard to filter out without high-quality (and expensive) filtering gear. Breathing protection on job sites for many years was lacking at best, and often non-existent. Many workers were heavily exposed to friable (easily crumbled or reduced to powder) asbestos for years and even decades. Heavy exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing lung cancer five times.
Asbestos Cancer in the Lungs
Lung Cancer caused by asbestos exposure develops in the lung tissue when asbestos fibers are inhaled and subsequently trapped in the lung. These sharp fibers become embedded in the inner tissue which eventually scar, causing fibrosis. The scarred tissue begins to harden, making it difficult for oxygen to flow and the patient to breathe. This is known as asbestosis.
While asbestosis is not cancerous, it is chronic and life-threatening and often times can lead to malignant tumors and a lung cancer diagnosis. Cells in the infected area clump together forming tumors which rapidly grow and multiply; damaging surrounding healthy tissue and spreading to other parts of the body. Chances of developing asbestos-related lung cancer may be doubled under certain asbestos exposure conditions.
Smoking and Asbestos Lung Cancer
Smokers with asbestos exposure have more than a 50 fold increase in their chance of getting lung cancer compared to people who have not smoked and been exposed to asbestos. A history of smoking does not preclude you from an asbestos-related lung cancer lawsuit. Our asbestos attorneys have tried cases for many former smokers diagnosed with lung cancer. Although smoking alone can cause lung cancer, asbestos has long been determined as a substantial contributing factor. Smoking cessation is therefore all the more important for those exposed to asbestos.
Workers at Risk
Steel mill, chemical plant, factory workers, shipbuilders, and other trades are all at risk of being exposed to asbestos through the nature of their work and products used. Former and current smokers usually attribute their lung cancer to tobacco use, but if you smoke and have been exposed to asbestos, your risk of developing lung cancer increases dramatically. Smoking does not prohibit lung cancer patients from receiving compensation for their asbestos injuries. Those suffering from lung cancer after an asbestosis diagnoses are urged to file a claim, regardless if they are already receiving compensation from the prior condition.
Asbestos Lung Cancer Compensation
Companies spent decades protecting their assets instead of their employees, violating workplace conditions and denying their laborers a safe and healthy working environment. At GPW, fight to protect your rights and urge you to contact us as soon as you are aware of your diagnoses.