Amianto / Mesotelioma

Abogado especializado en mesotelioma

Mesothelioma cases are uniquely difficult, symptoms often don't appear for decades after exposure, and by the time a diagnosis comes, the company or jobsite responsible may no longer exist in the same form. Our attorneys know how to trace exposure history, identify every liable party, and build the case a delayed diagnosis like this requires.

Demandas por amianto y mesotelioma

The term "asbestos" refers to any one of a group of several different naturally occurring minerals. These minerals all have certain qualities in common, including a fibrous texture, incredible strength, and remarkable resistance to heat.

It has long been used in a variety of industrial accidents and applications, as well as in building construction, especially as a fireproof insulating material. People who work with the substance, as well as those who live in areas where asbestos is present, are liable to suffer serious health complications as a result of exposure.

La gente ha sabido de esta correlacion desde los dias de la Antigua Grecia y Roma, sin embargo no fue hasta hace relativamente poco tiempo que se implementaron regulaciones gubernamentales estatales y federales para proteger a los trabajadores y al publico en general de los peligros de la exposicion al asbesto. La exposición a esta sustancia sigue representando una amenaza para las personas en todo Estados Unidos.

¿Quién corre el riesgo de padecer mesotelioma?

La exposición directa o indirecta al amianto en el pasado aumenta considerablemente el riesgo de desarrollar mesotelioma pulmonar. Muchas personas que han trabajado en la industria en los últimos 50 años pueden haber estado expuestas a fibras de amianto.

El amianto se utilizaba habitualmente:

• In construction primarily cement, but also for insulation, roofing and more
• En la fabricación de plásticos
• En la industria naval
• En la industria del automóvil para pastillas de freno y embrague
• Algunos productos de jardinería
• Algunas pinturas, revestimientos y adhesivos

Visite Cancer.gov para obtener más información sobre quién puede estar en riesgo de padecer mesotelioma. Si usted trabajó en industrias que fabricaban cualquiera de los productos mencionados, puede correr el riesgo de padecer mesotelioma o una afección relacionada con el amianto. Póngase en contacto con su médico para una evaluación.

Síntomas del mesotelioma

El mesotelioma y otras afecciones relacionadas con el amianto tienen un periodo de latencia muy largo, lo que significa que las personas no suelen notar los síntomas de su afección hasta pasados 20-30 años o más.

Dado que el mesotelioma puede estar presente durante tanto tiempo sin ser detectado, es vital que las personas que experimenten síntomas conocidos de mesotelioma se pongan en contacto con sus médicos inmediatamente:

• Dificultad para respirar (opresión en el pecho, respiración pesada, sibilancias, etc.)
• Tos persistente y expectoración con sangre
• Hinchazón de cara y/o cuello
• Pérdida de peso involuntaria
• Fatiga extrema, anemia, pérdida de apetito

El amianto es un problema grave en Estados Unidos

Asbestos poses such a serious public health hazard that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DHSS) has established an Asbestos Program.

This program delivers services for preventing occupational and environmental diseases related to asbestos exposure by identifying, evaluating and controlling hazards.

The DHSS estimates that asbestos is still present in more than half of the public buildings throughout the state, including many public schools across Texas.

In addition to this, asbestos may be found in a wide variety of industrial settings and worksites, potentially causing harm to the employees who have the misfortune of being exposed to it.

Relación entre el amianto y el mesotelioma

The reason that asbestos is so dangerous is that people who are exposed to the substance are liable to breathe in small airborne fibers that have a tendency to flake off the mass of the product.

When these fibers enter the body, they stick to the mesothelium, a membrane that lines certain internal organs such as the lungs.

This can lead to the development of mesothelioma, an aggressive and malignant form of cancer that is typically terminal. Asbestos exposure can amount to a death sentence and often subjects the victim to years of suffering, and when it does claim a life, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.

FAQS Regarding Asbestos & Mesothelioma Claims

How long after asbestos exposure does mesothelioma develop?

Mesothelioma has an unusually long latency period, often 20 to 30 years or more between exposure and diagnosis. This means someone exposed to asbestos decades ago at a job they may no longer hold can still develop the disease today, and can still pursue a claim.

Who can be held liable for my asbestos exposure?

Liability can extend to a former employer, the manufacturer of an asbestos-containing product, a property owner where exposure occurred, or a contractor who disturbed asbestos-containing materials without proper precautions.

A claim against the manufacturer typically falls under product liability. Many mesothelioma cases involve more than one liable company, since exposure often happened across multiple jobsites or products over the years.

What compensation can I recover in a mesothelioma or asbestos exposure claim?

You may recover medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity, along with noneconomic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

If asbestos exposure resulted in death, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

Is it hard to prove where my asbestos exposure came from?

It can be, since asbestos exposure often occurred years or decades before symptoms appeared, and identifying the exact time and place can be a considerable challenge. Work history records, product identification, and testimony from coworkers can all help establish where and how exposure happened.

How long do I have to file an asbestos or mesothelioma claim in Texas?

Generally two years from the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure, since Texas law recognizes that the injury isn't discoverable until symptoms appear or a diagnosis is made. Because that discovery date can be disputed, it's important to have an attorney document your diagnosis timeline early.

Speak With an Asbestos & Mesothelioma Lawyer Today

Si usted o un ser querido ha sufrido debido a la exposición al amianto, póngase en contacto con nosotros en The Daspit Law Firm para obtener ayuda. Podemos evaluar la situación para determinar si usted puede tener motivos para demandar por lesiones personales o muerte injusta.

Our mesothelioma attorneys have extensive experience with cases involving chemical exposure and toxic torts, and we are ready to take immediate action on your claim for compensation.

Proving fault in mesothelioma cases can often be a considerable challenge, since it may be difficult to obtain evidence that accurately demonstrates the exact time and place where the asbestos exposure occurred. That's exactly the kind of case our attorneys are built to handle.