Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Employees nationwide, including in Ohio, who develop malignant mesothelioma typically face a dilemma when it comes to claiming compensation. Attempting to pinpoint the job that exposed them to asbestos could be a problem if it was many years ago.
What makes asbestos exposure so dangerous?
Working with or near asbestos that is disturbed puts workers in various occupations in danger. The disturbed asbestos fibers are microscopic and become airborne. Workers inhale or swallow them without being aware of it. Once inside the body, the asbestos fibers cause scarring and irritation where they become lodged. The fibers could cause damage to the heart, abdomen or the lungs’ delicate lining.
Which materials contain asbestos?
Although asbestos’ dangers have been known for decades, some older buildings and even several new materials contain this dangerous fibrous silicate mineral. Exposure is possible in many workplaces, such as industrial spaces and machine shops. Other risks exist in older homes where demolition or renovations could disturb asbestos.
The following are some of the materials that could contain asbestos:
- Vehicle parts like brake pads
- Flooring
- Insulation
- Electrical wiring
- Paint
- Fireproof clothing
- Roofing
- Contaminated talcum powder
- Potting soils
- Piping materials
Ohio workers exposed to asbestos in their workplaces might know that an early diagnosis offers a better prognosis. The progression of mesothelioma involves four stages with the following important points:
- Each of the four stages is identified by specific characteristics of the disease.
- Early diagnosis offers more options for treatment and a significantly better prognosis.
- Once the patient is in the late or advanced stage, palliative treatment is the only option.
- Palliative treatment aims to provide relief of some of the symptoms of advanced mesothelioma.
- The treatment options and prognosis depend on the stage of the cancer when it is first diagnosed.
Ohio workers diagnosed with mesothelioma that resulted from workplace exposure to asbestos are typically entitled to compensation to ease the financial burden.