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Tips On How To Choose An Experienced Asbestos Or Mesothelioma Attorney

Tips On How To Choose An Experienced Asbestos Or Mesothelioma Attorney

Asbestos exposure can be a precursor to cancer of the lungs and additional asbestos-linked illnesses. Once it has been inhaled into the lung tissue it might take as long as 20 to 40 years or more to develop disease symptoms. This lengthy latency period frequently makes it hard to identify what caused it. 

The key risk aspect for developing malignant mesothelioma cancerous tumors is being exposed to asbestos at the workplace. Roughly 70 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos on the job. The actual exposure has invariably happened decades prior and might have been for a comparatively short but heavy period. 

Tips On How To Choose An Experienced Asbestos Or Mesothelioma Attorney
Asbestos has been used commercially for more than one hundred years. Millions of American citizens have been put at risk unwittingly by being exposed to asbestos dust. Products containing asbestos were not initially thought to be dangerous, but in time lots of people working for asbestos producers began developing lung cancer. Folks laboring in asbestos mines, heating industries, insulation factories, and a variety of other occupations involving asbestos have shown a big increase in the prevalence of the cancerous diseases.

At present there are lawful limits for the total asbestos exposure people can receive on the job as a consequence of the link involving asbestos and numerous varieties of cancer. Employees exposed to asbestos are now required to sport protective gear that reduces their total exposure. Factors like individual immune system strength might play a major part in if an employee comes down with an asbestos-associated sickness. If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis or some other asbestos-associated sickness you may want to locate asbestos law firms that focus in personal injury cases. Additionally, if you were exposed to asbestos and have not yet developed cancer, you may still be able to receive financial compensation in a class action lawsuit.

If you wish to find the most skilled asbestos law firms it will involve some groundwork. A few questions that you need answers to are how many years they have been practicing, how many asbestos suits they have managed, how many mesothelioma suits they have managed, the number of their claims that were successfully settled, how many of their clients had to go to court, if there is a statute of limitations in your state for these types of claims, and what type of documentation is required from you to begin a lawsuit.

Ask the attorneys what the average settlement is in a case similar to yours. It is also important to know the amount the law firm will charge to take your case. The majority of attorneys will handle cases such as this by taking a specific percentage of the financial settlement and will not take the case if they think they won't be able to get a respectable settlement for you.

After you have researched a few asbestos law firms and picked one to represent you the next task is to gather documents and information for the lawsuit. Gathering together as much information as possible provides you the best likelihood for a victorious outcome. First and foremost you must have medical verification that you have contracted cancer. You will also have to be knowledgeable about where, when, and the length of time you were subjected to exposure of asbestos fibers, your employer's name, and if there are other co-workers that were diagnosed with a similar illness. Additional workers or witnesses can often help in confirming the location and time you were subjected to exposure.

Being exposed to asbestos is the one and only identified cause of mesothelioma, so your case may be a lot easier to prove than you believed. Most attorneys are not going to take a weaker case and will settle most cases they do take out of court. A veteran lawyer will be able to counsel you regarding whether you should settle out of court or if you should take it to trial. After the lawyer offers you their opinion the ultimate determination of settling out of court or going to trial is up to you.

Prior to making a final decision you must take several issues into consideration. Even if you have a sufficiently strong case it may take a couple of years and maybe more if you take it to trial. Can you handle a couple years of stress and tension with no guarantee that you will win? These questions must be taken into account previous to making a judgment that is capable of affecting your entire future. 

Should You Hire A Mesothelioma Attorney?


Mesothelioma can be a horrific disease to deal with when it is allowed to go untreated or ignored until it is too late for a positive outcome. However, when one knows the medical history of family genetics or can point to specific work environment that may have contributed to the onset of the disease then early testing is always wise. Many times mesothelioma, when caught early enough, can be treated effectively. 


One needs to consult with an oncologist who specializes in mesothelioma cancer. One should trust the oncologist to determine the most promising treatment regime. No doubt, this type of cancer is difficult to treat and in the majority of cases the outcome is not encouraging mainly because efforts at early detection were not taken in a majority of cases. The outcome depends largely on where the cancer is located, how far along the disease has progressed, and both the age and current health of the mesothelioma victim.

Here are the primary treatment options:

1. If the diagnosis is made early on it is likely that surgery may be recommended to remove all cancerous tissues. As a rule this will be thoracoscopy, VATS or video assisted thoracic surgery, mediastinoscopy (used for staging), or laproscopy. The oncologist may also recommend palliative procedures such as chest tube drainage and pleurodesis, thoracoscopy and pleurodesis, pleuroperitonial shunt, or pleurectomy, which treat the symptoms of mesothelioma rather than the disease as a means of giving some comfort.

2. Aggressive radiation treatment is usually prescribed for mesothelioma patients as well. Such treatment is usually given in combination with surgery or in order to control symptoms. Optional radiation therapy that employs implants or UV light therapy may be used because traditional radiation therapy damages surrounding healthy tissue. The doctors advise whether these options have merit on a case-by-case basis.

3. Chemotherapy is another approach where patients respond well to drug therapy. While such anti-cancer drugs destroy cancer cells and prevent their spread, for mesothelioma patients, chemotherapy is not considered to be a viable cure. The aim of drug therapy is to stop the spread of the disease; shrink tumors prior to surgery, known as neoadjuvant therapy; to eradicate any remnants of the tumor after surgery; and to relieve pain and other discomfort through the application of palliative chemotherapy. Experts favor treatment with premetrexed along with cisplastin. These drugs have shown positive results and are now the preferred methodology for Mesothelioma that is not treatable by surgery.

4. Interleukin 2 is yet another level of drug therapy that does not have the negative impact of full scale chemotherapy.

5. Immunotherapy has shown some promise. This is where the immune system of the patient is stimulated to help fight the disease. Biological response modifiers, BRMs, are used in this form of treatment. These enhance the functions of the immune system; mitigate metabolic reactions that promote growth of cancers; alter cancer cell multiplication; block or reverse biological processes that lead to formation of cancers; and prevent the spread of cancer.

6. Genetic or gene manipulation, where attempts are made to alter the gene sequence that causes the cancer involves two approaches: replacement gene therapy and knockout gene therapy.

7. Prescribing lovastatin, a cholesterol lowering drug which aids in blood chemistry.

8. Photodynamic treatment where a photosensitive medication is activated using a laser. This is done during the surgical removal of cancerous tissues.

9. Draining of fluid in the chest or abdominal cavity followed by introduction of medications into the cavity to prevent fluid buildup is done for patients who have uncontrolled fluid accumulation and intense discomfort it causes.

10. Combination therapy or Trimodal therapy which means surgery accompanied by radiation and chemotherapy.

Complementary medicines and treatments may also be used that focus on a variety of issues such as a patient's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being. It is a holistic approach that is usually combined with a surgical approach.

Should the Mesothelioma be untreatable, the patient may try clinical trials of new treatments that are being tested in several research laboratories and centers. As always, the best advice as to experimental treatment would be that recommended by the oncologist or physician.

The Legal Options

One should also consider whether there is a case for legal remedy to offset the costs of treatment and subsequent impact on family finances. This is quite common where employment exposure can be established and if it can be proven that the employer ignored available safety measures to protect workers from exposure. Judgments in mesothelioma civil cases can be quite high.

While filing a civil case against a former or current employer may seem the route to go, the victim should not settle for a general attorney to handle the case. Mesothelioma civil cases require expert legal counsel with a good amount of experience in litigating such cases for maximum financial compensation. 

Asbestos Attorney Cancer Lawyer Mesothelioma Settlement - Exactly What You Should Acknowledge Relating To Asbestos Attorney Cancer Lawyer Mesothelioma Settlement

Asbestos Attorney Cancer Lawyer Mesothelioma Settlement - Exactly What You Should Acknowledge Relating To Asbestos Attorney Cancer Lawyer Mesothelioma Settlement

Asbestos Attorney Cancer Lawyer Mesothelioma Settlement - Exactly What You Should Acknowledge Relating To Asbestos Attorney Cancer Lawyer Mesothelioma Settlement

Numerous asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement cancer professionals, attorneys, and also mesothelioma patients view asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement like a material created and also employed just in the 19th century. 

However actually, asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement was initially found and also called from the ancient Greeks. In this post, we will look at the reality regarding asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement make use of through the ages. We will have what was identified concerning the risks of asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement cancer, so when mesothelioma and also asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlementis started to become thought to be the actual tragic health problems they are acknowledged to end up being these days.

asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement can be a naturally occurring mineral together with lengthy fibrous deposits. It's these types of fibres that induce asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement's accumulation due to the damage these people trigger whenever taken in to the lungs. Inhalation of asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement may cause a number of grave ailments for instance lung cancer and also Pneumoconiosis.

asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement removal need to be carried out by expert information and apparatus. It has to be done just through extremely skilled as well as given operatives. asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement is really a " floating " fibrous silicate nutrient, naturally occurring as well as employed because of its strong and flame-resistant features. Because of its energy balance as well as resistance to really warm, this kind of strong substance has been extensively employed previously regarding fire proofing as well as winter insulation regarding edifices.

The use of asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement was done in several different products as well as constructions from your 50s towards the middle eighties. asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement concrete was being utilized till 2000 in several various premises and also materials. An industrial or perhaps commercial construction which was elevated or substantially renovated involving the nineteen fifties and middle of the 1980s may have some kind of materials that contains asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement. asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement use increased within the 1960s and early 70s. Structures which have been built or even renewed within this period of time most probably consist of some form of asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement.

Regrettably weighty utilization of asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement in many years long gone simply by provides subjected earlier decades regarding construction staff, craftsmen and roofing contractors to asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement and several today suffer lung disease as a result. asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement is only hazardous once the fibers become airborne since it is then they can end up being taken in. As soon as breathed in the actual fibres can not be removed because of their size, so they grow to be stuck within the lung muscle.

asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement in Greater toronto area: Just what issues asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement in structures, Ontario offers severely rules, specifically because '07. Land lords must distribute any unusual materials going down hill within the structure with regard to examination. There are professional organizations that may eliminate the asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement safely, if it is presence is actually found out. If it is learned that the deterioration may well carry on, the pros can remove the entire affected area, once again subsequent stringent safety guidelines.

The most frequent use of asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement in non-domestic buildings: : padding upon plumbing : ceiling floor tiles - sections planks : cement panels -- dispersed films on wall space -- asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement ropes and fabric - smoothness layer The most common usage of asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement in residential homes in Greater toronto area: - exterior surfaces: deck undersheeting, roof felt and also roofing shingles, window putty : a myriad of insulating material : floors: vinyl asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement sheets, floor tiles and undersheeting - internal surface area: sprayed-on acoustic ceilings, traditional floor tiles - devices: water heaters, variety hoods, clothes dryers as well as dishwashers An adequate remedy for the entire difficulty associated with asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement hasn't been discovered but. We all nevertheless can remember the Sunrise Gas blast through a year ago. 

 Several pavement have been strike by asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement debris and three thousand inhabitants were required to abandon their own homes right up until a complete and careful get rid of with the location. Nearby governing bodies remain fighting using the threat posed by asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement. However it is very difficult to measure exactly how high-risk asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement really is. One of the reasons why it is so hard is the fact that just .5% regarding asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement inside materials is considered because poisonous.

In spite of warnings and advancements, a lot more than several,000 modern day goods nonetheless include asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement. Constructing materials in particular continue to be any threat to the people which deal with or even are exposed to these. However indicators that the product contains asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement may be hard and even impossible to notice. The most effective protection consequently will be understanding of which usually goods will likely include asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement.

With the a lot asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement inside properties as well as structures, the issue now started to be how to take it off securely. This particular delivered what exactly is today the multi-billion dollar asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement removing market. High of the asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement found in buildings will come in what is known as glued form, meaning it's combined in with an another materials like bare concrete that it rarely is in released within dangerous levels except if disturbed or broken.

Some companies and government agencies arrange for asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement removal to avoid community exposure, although some do so to prevent possible litigation. Still some other projects are driven through legislation or perhaps public outcry for asbestos attorney cancer lawyer mesothelioma settlement removal from community properties, including numerous more mature universities across the country. 

Mesothelioma Lawsuits - Why You Want A Pitbull For An Attorney Instead Of A Poodle

Mesothelioma Lawsuits - Why You Want A Pitbull For An Attorney Instead Of A Poodle

Mesothelioma may be a form of cancer, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t legal issues involved. Mesothelioma lawyers specialize in making the connection to asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma may be a very rare form of cancer, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t associated with an exposure to a certain substance. By now, you know what that substance is – asbestos. You might be surprised to learn that the correlation between exposure to the substance and the occurrence of the cancer is not absolute. 

That being said, it is sufficient that courts have unilaterally found manufacturers of asbestos liable for subsequent cancer results. The issue in Mesothelioma lawsuits usually boils down to two issues. The first is identifying when exposure took place. If you can’t prove exposure, you surely can’t prove any defendant in particular should be at fault. The second factor is causation. Exposure isn’t enough. You must also show that the exposure resulted in the eventual Mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mesothelioma lawyers are old hands at these issues. The same defenses come up in every case, so they develop strategies for dealing with those defenses. Mesothelioma lawyers have private investigators and staff that will back track through time to find out where and when exposure occurred. It might have been while working in a shipyard or perhaps laying water pipes for a city. Yes, water pipes were actually lined with asbestos for years. Perhaps the exposure occurred when you or your loved one was working on building a school that incorporated asbestos products such as popcorn ceiling, siding, roof shingles or tile.

Once the exposure has been nailed down, Mesothelioma lawyers have the medical experts that are critical to building the causation side of the case. The issues become very technical, but the basic idea is you must show that exposure resulted in some harm. In this case, that is obviously Mesothelioma. Ah, but is one day of exposure enough to trigger it? How about 5? How about 25? Only a crafty lawyer can make the complex medical issues clear to a jury or judge.

Mesothelioma lawyers are experts in their field. They usually offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. If you believe asbestos exposure has occurred, contact one of these Mesothelioma lawyers today. 

Tips On How To Find The Perfect Mesothelioma Attorney For Your Situation

Tips On How To Find The Perfect Mesothelioma Attorney For Your Situation


You or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer. Do you want to let the party responsible get away with it? No! Here is how to go about selecting a Mesothelioma lawyer.

Let’s be honest. A Mesothelioma diagnosis is crushing. Not only is it a form of cancer, but it is a form that usually is only discovered in the very late stages when treatment options are very limited and the five year survival rate is, well, below 10 percent. Given this, it is natural to just want to crawl into a ball. You can’t do this? You must fight medically and legally!
 
Tips On How To Find The Perfect Mesothelioma Attorney For Your Situation
Asbestos exposure is nearly always the cause of Mesothelioma. Well, guess what. A company made a buck selling that asbestos. To make matters unconscionable, many believe the manufacturers knew about the health risks associated with the material and decided to go ahead and sell it anyway. 

Think about that for a minute. Some corporate executive decided that your life or the one close to you who has the cancer wasn’t worth holding back this money making product for. That should really make you furious and suing them is one way to make them pay.

The asbestos-Mesothelioma relationship is a complex one from a legal perspective. Given this, you want to make sure that you select a lawyer who is not just familiar with the field, but an absolute specialist in it. This means the number one thing to look for is a lawyer who just prosecutes these types of cases. The law is changing all the time as the appellate courts make rulings and such. You need to be sure that the lawyer you hire is up on all the changes and can provide you with the representation you need.

So, what questions should you ask the perspective lawyers? Well, you should speak with at least three different ones. All should provide you with a free consultation. During the consult, you should ask how long they have been an attorney, what percentage of their practice is devoted to Mesothelioma litigation, how many total cases of this type they have filed, how many have gone to trial and their record in them and whether they have any awards or certifications in the field? Comparing each lawyer’s answers to these questions should give you a pretty good feel for which counsel is best for your case.

Mesothelioma is a brutal diagnosis, particularly since it didn’t have to happen if some executive of an asbestos company had displayed any humanity and decided against selling the material. Fortunately, you have rights. Make sure you exercise them by selecting a Mesothelioma lawyer that can represent you with competency and passion. 
 

The Legal Nature Of Bringing A Mesothelioma-asbestos Claim

The Legal Nature Of Bringing A Mesothelioma-asbestos Claim


The asbestos-Mesothelioma situation has been litigated for so long most of the issues have been fleshed out. This means Mesothelioma settlements are very common.

The Legal Nature Of Bringing A Mesothelioma-asbestos ClaimThe scourge of asbestos and the health problems it causes have been winding its way through the courts since the early 1970s. The problem has been so massive that many of the cases were just grouped into class action status where hundreds or thousands of victims would all be included in the claims in a particular situation.

As the cases have been pushed through the system, the characteristics of each scenario have been fleshed out. This means that most asbestos cases tend to end in Mesothelioma settlements or victories for the manufacturers. Why? Well, think it through. Why would a manufacturer fight a lawsuit it knows it can’t win? Many would answer that the delay allows the company to hold out as long on the payouts, which means more profit for it.

There is something to be said for this theory. This is exactly the approach taken by many large companies when dealing with situations like this. For asbestos manufacturers, the situation is different. First, most of them are out of business, so there is not impetus to take such an approach. Second, many of the cases are paid out of a pool of monetary reserves that are controlled by the court or an independent third party. Again, there is no real motivation for delaying.

So, what should you do if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma? The first step is to obviously follow the directions of your doctor. Your health is paramount. The next step, however, is to fight for your rights by seeing an attorney that specializes in this field. You are going to be facing some huge medical bills. Sadly, this form of cancer doesn’t have a good survival rate, so you need to consider the issue of how to set up your family for the future. Pursuing your legal rights is the way to do that.

Mesothelioma settlements are very common these days in cases involving asbestos exposure. Make sure you pursue your legal rights as soon as possible. 

Mesothelioma Settlements – Some Faq’s

Mesothelioma Settlements – Some Faq’s


Considering a legal battle regarding mesothelioma and asbestos exposure can be a scary prospect. However, with the right mesothelioma legal professionals, the process can flow much smoother and most often with better results; including mesothelioma settlements. There are number of questions that many people may have regarding mesothelioma settlements. Below are just a few of the concerns we have heard in recent years.


Mesothelioma Settlements – Some Faq’sAre mesothelioma settlements typically subject to income tax fees and requirements?

Generally speaking, settlement money earned from a personal injury is not taxable by most states. This same principle applies to a mesothelioma settlement. However, taxes are charged to the representing Attorney who earns profits from a mesothelioma settlement’s contingency fee. If mesothelioma settlement monies are invested, then taxes will be applied to interest earned from this personal injury.

What options exist for individuals with limited income, when seeking a mesothelioma settlement?

Quite often, attorneys will offer a special contract for legal services. This contract provides all the necessary legal guidance and representation, with no upfront costs. When a mesothelioma settlement is achieved, the attorney will take a portion of the payoff as their contingency fee. If a mesothelioma settlement is not possible, the contract releases a client from all financial responsibility. With this type of contract, a client has virtually no risk in attempting to obtain a fair and deserved mesothelioma settlement.

How does the Statute of Limitations affect a potential settlement?

In all personal injury cases, each state permits a certain amount of time to pass before the ability to bring a lawsuit expires. This time period varies depending on the state, but in many cases it runs around two years. With an illness that’s characteristic evolution involves several years, or even decades, of dormancy, like mesothelioma; there are some difficulties in meeting the typical Statutes of Limitations throughout the United States. For fairness, most states have adopted the Discovery Rule, which enables individuals to bring suit within a specified time period after diagnosis from any latent illness, like mesothelioma. The Discovery Rule is just another way the legal system has responded to right many of the negligent wrongdoings of companies and organizations; ensuring justice and protection for any individuals seeking their rightful, mesothelioma settlement – even decades after asbestos exposure.

How soon should an attorney be contacted after diagnosis?

For the best mesothelioma settlement possible, it is highly recommend that an attorney be contacted soon after a diagnosis is received. This ensures that the individual receiving legal assistance is in sound mind and body for initial testimony and official depositions regarding their experience with asbestos contamination.

Some Basic Details Of A Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Some Basic Details Of A Mesothelioma Lawsuit


Unfortunately, our world is one in which exist a number of organizations and individuals who may injure a person through misconduct and negligence. Quite often, a mesothelioma lawsuit may seek compensation from more than one defendant. In fact, there have been many notable asbestos cases with 40 or more defendants. Defendants are selected based on past occupational and environmental risks. This is typical in a mesothelioma lawsuit, because many individuals possess a history with several different manufacturers and employers. These relationships establish the basis of a client’s (or plaintiff’s) complaint that officially comprises the initiation of a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Some Basic Details Of A Mesothelioma LawsuitThere are basically two plaintiff types in a mesothelioma lawsuit. These include one type, in which, the actual affected individual(s) begins a mesothelioma lawsuit in an effort to receive damages for their injuries. This type of mesothelioma lawsuit is known as a personal injury lawsuit for living victims of asbestos exposure. The second type involves family, such as a spouse or children, and is most frequently referred to as a wrongful death lawsuit. As the mesothelioma lawsuit progresses, each defending party will respond to the complaint entered in court. These answers are reviewed by the plaintiff and each party enters into a discovery process that may include a number of interrogatories, depositions, record releases and witness testimony; among other items.

The average mesothelioma lawsuit is settled before it goes all the way to trial. However, the progression of each case is an individual process that may continue through jury selection and perhaps, even hours before the actual jury trial is scheduled before a defendant offers a mesothelioma settlement. Often, the dates leading up to a trial are stressful and anxious for all involved parties.

Once a mesothelioma settlement is granted, payment may be provided in varying time frames. This is largely because many companies charged with misconduct are also paying damages to others for similar personal injuries. It is not unheard of, for payouts to occur in time periods spanning from several months to years after the agreed upon mesothelioma settlement. In some lamentable cases, a defendant may file bankruptcy, further prolonging the likelihood of payment delivery. There are also some lawsuits that result in a schedule of multiple payments for damages rendered.

Anyone that knows a mesothelioma victim should spend some time researching the potential for a personal injury or wrongful death case. Although a monetary settlement could never replace a loved one, it sometimes offers comfort to individuals facing this terminal illness, to know that their family will receive restitution that is substantial enough to make a positive impact in their lives. Trust the mesothelioma lawyers at Baron and Budd, P.C. for total guidance through the process of a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Take Home Asbestos Exposure

 Take Home Asbestos Exposure


What is take-home asbestos exposure?

Second-hand, or take-home, exposure to asbestos is one of the leading causes of mesothelioma in those who do not work in an asbestos-related occupation. It happens when someone who works in close proximity to asbestos carries the deadly fiber home with them after work. Asbestos can be carried on everything from clothing and shoes to skin and hair.

When this asbestos is taken home, it can be inhaled by family members who hug the carrier or wash his clothes. The cancer-causing fibers can even be inhaled by children who spend time playing around contaminated clothes in the laundry room. Today, doctors are seeing a surprising shift in the demographics of mesothelioma victims toward middle-aged adults and older women who were exposed to asbestos decades earlier through a family member.

What if I’ve been exposed to take-home asbestos?

Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should discuss their exposure with their doctor at their next appointment. Because mesothelioma is a rare disease that shares symptoms with many common ailments, it is often difficult to diagnose. If you start exhibiting symptoms of mesothelioma and your doctor knows you’ve been exposed to take-home asbestos, he may have a much easier time diagnosing your illness.

What can I do to make sure my family members are not exposed to asbestos?

If you believe that your workplace may contain asbestos, you can protect your family members from take-home asbestos exposure by taking two simple steps:

1. Isolate your work clothes. If you can, change out of your work clothes before you get home. Keep all contaminated articles of clothing in their own sealed laundry bag before washing them.
2. Wash up. Even after you change out of your work clothes, you could still carry asbestos on your skin and hair. Protect your family members by taking a shower either at work or as soon as you get home, before you touch anyone.

Take-home asbestos exposure is too often a tragic consequence of corporate irresponsibility. By working together to ban asbestos and raise awareness of mesothelioma, however, we can start reducing instances of take-home asbestos exposure.

The traditional image of a mesothelioma victim isn’t a mother of young children or a man just entering his prime, but rather a retired auto worker or Navy veteran who was exposed to high doses of asbestos throughout his career. Unfortunately, more and more people who do not fit the stereotype are being diagnosed with mesothelioma. While they may not have been exposed to asbestos through their job, they are the sons, daughters and spouses of people who unknowingly brought asbestos home with them after work.