Asbestos lung cancer claims

Lung cancer due to asbestos exposure results in 4,800 deaths per year

Industries and the military widely utilized asbestos due to its unique properties. These naturally occurring minerals had the ability to resist heat without losing their durability. It became a critical resource for construction, shipbuilding, erecting shipyards, and assembling motor vehicles. Even though smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer cases throughout the nation, asbestos exposure can significantly increase a person's likelihood of developing this life-threatening disease. Those at significant risk include former industrial workers and veterans handling asbestos production and asbestos-containing materials.

Since the 1930s, researchers have noted the health risk of asbestos exposure. The fibers, when inhaled or ingested, can get trapped in the organs, such as the lungs. Consequently, it can trigger chronic inflammation and scarring, both precursors to cancer.

It was in the 1960s when physicians first identified a clear association between lung cancer and asbestos exposure. This groundbreaking study of Dr. Irving Selikoff served as proof of the health risks associated with asbestos use and exposure. More scientific evidence revealed how exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer emerged in the later years. By the 1970s and 1980s, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified all types of asbestos as human carcinogens. Here in the United States, approximately 5% of lung cancers are connected with asbestos exposure.

What are the types of lung cancer you can develop as a result of asbestos exposure?

There are numerous types of lung cancer, depending on the malignant cells involved in the tumors. Consequently, you should be aware of all the possible lung cancer diagnoses in order to know if you are entitled to file a claim. These are the most common lung cancer types, and if you were told by your doctor that you have one of them, we advise you to contact our legal team, as you may qualify for financial compensation as a victim of asbestos exposure. Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list, so you may still have lung cancer but under another name.

• adenocarcinoma
• neuroendocrine carcinoma
• squamous cell carcinoma
• non-small-cell lung cancer
• primary lung cancer
• small cell carcinoma
• large cell carcinoma
• lung carcinoid tumor
• sarcomatoid carcinoma
• oat cell cancer
• adenosquamous carcinoma
• adenocarcinoma in situ

If you worked with asbestos or were exposed to it in the military and have one of these lung cancer diagnoses, give our law firm a call to find out whether you qualify for compensation. The money you will get from asbestos trust funds if you are eligible for compensation will greatly help you with your medical expenses, among other things. If you are a veteran, you will also be able to file a disability claim with the VA with the assistance of our skilled lawyers, which will provide you with even more financial help.

Lung cancer can be misdiagnosed as benign lung conditions

Many pulmonary diseases that occur as a consequence of asbestos exposure are very insidious, as the majority of people suffering from one experience no obvious symptoms until their illness becomes extremely severe. In the event that symptoms are present, they are more or less the same for each disease, from asbestosis to lung cancer and other types of cancers, benign or malignant neoplasm, or metastases in the respiratory system, they all have mild to severe symptoms in the lungs.

This way, signs of lung cancer can easily be mistaken for those of more common respiratory conditions, such as:

• pneumonitis
• COPD
• bronchitis
• emphysema
• pleurisy
• pulmonary fibrosis
• lung nodules
• pleural effusion
• diffuse pleural thickening
• pleural plaques
• rounded atelectasis
• lung scarring
• asthma
• tuberculosis
• lung spots

Considering all these aspects, it should not come as a surprise that asbestos victims are frequently misdiagnosed, even by medical experts. Receiving a wrong diagnosis can hinder your prognosis terribly since each disease stemming from asbestos exposure calls for a unique treatment approach. Additionally, it will also affect the financial compensation you can recover from asbestos trust funds, as the sum of money asbestos victims are eligible for depends primarily on their diagnosis. If you currently have a lung cancer diagnosis, we strongly advise you to seek a second opinion from a medical specialist who has previously diagnosed asbestos-related diseases. A third opinion is welcomed as well, since these illnesses are complicated to correctly diagnose. Oftentimes, what is initially thought to be lung cancer is later proven to be mesothelioma or vice versa

Determining eligibility for asbestos-related lung cancer claims

To file for asbestos-related lung cancer, individuals must have the following requirements:

• Documented exposure to asbestos. It can be through records pertaining to work or employment, or military service. Family members living in the same household with exposed industrial workers and veterans (secondary exposure) can also file for claims by presenting proof of relationship.
• Confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer through medical records.

In cases where the patient has passed away, eligible family members can still pursue a wrongful death claim on their behalf.

Lung cancer: Jones Act claims

A seaman or maritime worker who suffers an injury on the job is protected under the Jones Act. If the vessel's owner or operator fails to maintain safe working conditions, injured crew members are entitled to compensation. There are dangers inherent to the maritime industry, such as unstable surfaces, mechanical failures, extreme weather exposure, and physically demanding tasks.

The Jones Act, passed in 1920, requires employers to provide seaworthy vessels and proper equipment in order to protect employees from these hazards. If maritime negligence caused your injury, you can rely on our attorneys to negotiate these complex claims and secure your financial recovery.

Lung  cancer: FELA claims

Railway workers who suffer injuries or illnesses due to their employment are protected under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). Unlike conventional workers' compensation systems, FELA permits injured railroad workers to pursue claims directly against their employers when workplace negligence contributes to harm.

Railroad operations present numerous hazards, from moving trains and switching equipment to chemical exposures and repetitive motion tasks. In 1908, Congress passed FELA in response to the alarming rates of railroad worker injury and death.

A railroad company can be found liable for injuries even when its negligence is just a minor factor. Whether your injury resulted from inadequate training, defective machinery, or toxic substance exposure, we can help you pursue the full compensation available under federal law.