Washington DC Asbestos Lawyer

A DC asbestos lawyer is a personal injury lawyer that specializes in helping people who have been diagnosed with any of the many diseases and conditions that are often the result of being around exposed asbestos. The three most documented forms of problems from asbestos exposure are lung cancer, mesothelioma (a malignant tumor of the covering of the lung or the lining of them pleural and abdominal cavities), and asbestosis (a lung disease). Starting at the beginning of the 20th century, asbestos was heralded as a wonder material for building and construction, protective clothing, friction-creating devices, and insulation. It was used to build high end buildings and the most modern and advanced factories. As victims of the health problems that are caused by asbestos exposure continue to come forth to seek recompense for their problems and the devastating effects of this are now more commonly understood, the legal arena has become more accomodating for those who are afflicted with asbestos related diseases, illnesses and other health problems.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals and humans have been mining for it more than 4,000 years ago. Some of its physical properties that made it popular for building are its good sound absorption, average tensile strength, affordability, and resistance to fire, heat, and electricity. Asbestos use grew throughout the 20th century until public knowledge of the hazards of exposed and agitated asbestos causing major health problems, and court legislature, had it banned from being used in mainstream construction and fireproofing in most countries. In this day and age, the problems that exposure to asbestos and breathing asbestos dust and particles can cause are well-known. In addition to the major problems mentioned above ((lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis) people who are exposed to the material for an extensive period of time may be susceptible to an array of other serious medical issues. Some of these include lung diseases, other cancers, heart and circulation issues, a weakened immune system, and the increased possibility of a stroke or heart attack. Asbestos is not especially harmful if it is undisturbed but when it is, many of the diseases that it causes ultimately wind up killing those afflicted with them. Asbestos is still used in everyday items such as vehicle brakes and some building supplies. It is now only (legally) used in ways that will not be exposed to people nor will it hurt the people who use things that contain it. If you or a loved one is suffering because of a sickness or problem related to asbestos exposure, you may find it helpful to talk to a personal injury lawyer who has experience in successfully defending the rights of asbestos exposure victims. The devastating effects that these kinds of health problems can have on a person and those who care about them can be physically difficult for the patient and those taking care of them, as well as emotionally exhausting. When people fall victim to the dangers of asbestos, they may be eligible for compensation. If you are looking for an asbestos lawyer in Washington, D.C., you have come to the right firm. Cohen & Cohen has obtained tens of millions of dollars on behalf of its injured clients. Asbestos victims and their families who need an asbestos lawyer in D.C. should contact Cohen & Cohen to obtain a free consultation. An asbestos lawyer is also called a mesothelioma lawyer, so if you or a family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos related injury such as mesothelioma, then choosing a mesothelioma and asbestos lawyer in Washington, D.C. can provide peace of mind when dealing with excessive medical bills, disability, and other losses.

The History of Asbestos

Although the use of asbestos dates back thousands of years, it became popular during the Industrial Revolution. It has been used in many products, from fireproof fabrics to a variety of construction materials and insulation. The fibers are fire resistant and have great insulating properties. In fact, for decades, asbestos was seen as a wonder material and was used pervasively. Asbestos was used in many industries, however the shipbuilding industry was heavily affected as they used asbestos abundantly. Curiously, it continued to be used regularly despite mounting recognition of the dangers associated with asbestos use. In fact, documentation exists showing that asbestos manufacturers were aware of widespread risks associated with asbestos by the 1940’s and 1950’s but chose to keep this information private. As a result, thousands of individuals were exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that typically occurs in the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, and sometimes heart. People who worked around asbestos or asbestos-containing products have a greatly increased risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Surprisingly, even people who live with asbestos workers or live near asbestos mining areas, product factories, construction environments, or shipyards are more susceptible to contracting the disease. Many old buildings, including old public buildings and schools, were made with asbestos. Simply spending time or even residing in these buildings is likely to result in a fairly low level of exposure, but any degradation of the building increases the risk of disease and asbestos exposure is cumulative. If you believe you have mesothelioma, contact your physician and a Washington, DC asbestos lawyer right away. Fortunately, bankrupt asbestos firms contributed to an asbestos fund to compensate future victims of mesothelioma. Billions of dollars have been disbursed from these accounts already. Although the funds are intended to support all victims of asbestos-related injuries, mesothelioma is the most serious category recognized by the fund because the victims are impacted most severely. Remember- if you have mesothelioma, you are a victim of the asbestos industry and you deserve compensation. An asbestos lawyer in Washington, DC can explain your rights and help you receive the compensation set aside for you. The disease is more common in men, although it can appear in both men and women. The risk increases over time. Mesothelioma can take between 20 and 50 years from the time of exposure to develop. Due to the great period of latency, many individuals are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. An estimated 2500-3000 individuals are diagnosed each year at present. The symptoms of mesothelioma include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Night sweats

If you suspect that you may have mesothelioma, especially if you were exposed to asbestos previously, you must contact a physician right away. Time is of the essence, and a prompt diagnosis and treatment can lead to better outcomes. Your physician will likely perform a number of tests to determine if you may have mesothelioma. These tests include a biopsy, a thoracoscopy, and a peritoneoscopy, among others. Although these tests are invasive, they are performed using anesthetic so you should feel no pain. As with any cancer, a prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment results in the best outcome. Follow the advice of your physician regarding optimal treatment. If your doctor does diagnose you with mesothelioma, you should contact an asbestos lawyer in Washington, DC immediately. Sadly, mesothelioma is both aggressive and deadly. It can be treated, however. Surgical treatment includes draining the lung of fluid, removing as much cancerous tissue as possible, or even removing a lung. Like other cancers, it can also be treated through chemotherapy and radiation. All of these treatments are costly in terms of medical bills and time off work. An asbestos lawyer in Washington, DC can help you get compensation to cover these expensive bills and the pain and suffering that is inherent with both the condition and its treatment. Despite OSHA banning the use of asbestos many years ago, thousands of individuals continue to be diagnosed each year. Doctors and scientists are aggressively searching for treatments, and a number of protocols have been initiated to determine the efficacy of a variety of different medications. Both Lovastatin and Endostatin have shown some promise in treated mesothelioma. In addition, immunotherapy can help boost the immune system to fight mesothelioma. Even though mesothelioma is not a new disease, scientists are still working to find an aggressive treatment. Your asbestos lawyer in Washington, DC will work to get you the necessary compensation to cover these aggressive treatments. Cohen & Cohen offers a free case evaluation. If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, contact us today. You should review the matter with an asbestos lawyer in Washington, D.C. today! We are here to offer guidance and help. If you or a loved one may be in need of a highly rated DC asbestos lawyer that Washington DC asbestos victims and their families recommend, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation, any time of the day or night, any day of the year.