Mesothelioma is a deadly disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that exists, in a fibrous state composed of microscopic crystals. Asbestos was used in a variety of building applications, as a heat insulator, electrical resistant insulator, and as a composite material in joint compound and concrete.
Mesothelioma litigation represents the longest running Mass Tort in the history of America. Every year, 10,000 people die from mesothelioma, and 800,000 claimants have sought compensation against approximately 8,400 defendants.
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos and glass particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. It has also been suggested that washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos or glass can put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking, but smoking greatly increases the risk of other asbestos-induced cancers
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the thin layer of cells that line the body’s internal organs, known as mesothelium.
Mesothelioma disease exists in three forms. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma, and this disease accounts for approximately 70% of all mesothelioma cases. Pleural mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the lungs, known as pleura.
The second variety of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, occurs in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium.
The third form, peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as peritoneum.
Information and commentary provided by Dallas Fort Worth Personal Injury Attorney Dr Shezad Malik. The Dr Shezad Malik Law Firm can be contacted in Dallas toll free at 214-390-3189. If you or a loved one has been injured from Mesothelioma or Asbestos related cancers, please fill out our contact card for a free consultation.