Did you know that there are more asbestos-related deaths in California than in any other state? The Mesothelioma Center emphasizes just how big problem asbestos is for the residents of Sacramento, many cancer diagnoses and deaths connected to asbestos could have been prevented.

No one should have to endure the losses associated with a cancer diagnosis. You may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to seek financial compensation. Yet first, it is important to understand some key facts about pleural mesothelioma, including the causes of this severe form of cancer.

Pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is deadly. It is important to understand how this type of cancer affects the body. According to the Pleural Mesothelioma Center, this rare and aggressive type of cancer “develops inside the thin layer of tissue surrounding the lungs known as the pleura.”

Of the four types of mesothelioma that are known to exist, pleural mesothelioma is the most common. It accounts for about 75 percent of all new cases of mesothelioma that are diagnosed each year. How many people does this disease affect on an annual basis? The Pleural Mesothelioma Center estimates that around 2,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.

Although pleural mesothelioma is a rare (and infrequently occurring) form of cancer. Many pleural mesothelioma cases could have been prevented by limiting exposure to asbestos, I will advocate for your right to compensation for this avoidable cancer diagnosis.

According to a Pleural Mesothelioma Guide from The Mesothelioma Center, pleural mesothelioma is most often caused by exposure to asbestos. As the guide explains, when a person inhales asbestos fibers, those fibers can travel down to the lungs. The fibers “can become lodged in the lining around the lungs.” Over time, those asbestos fibers begin to accumulate, and they gradually cause “cellular and genetic damage,” which can result in this form of malignant mesothelioma.

Most asbestos-exposure cases occur when workers come into contact with a product containing this harmful mineral. In California, asbestos occurs naturally in very high concentrations, and there are multiple places in our state that have been designated as Superfund sites (identified by the EPA as needing hazardous waste cleanup). At the same time, asbestos was used widely before 1975 in a number of manufacturing and building-related products, such as roofing materials, insulation, paint and patching materials, and other items.

As such, workers who were involved in housing or building renovation or demolition regularly were put at risk of asbestos exposure. It takes a long time to develop pleural mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos—anywhere from 20 to 50 years. This long period is known as a latency period during which potential plaintiffs do not even realize the looming harm to their health and well-being. Given the long latency period in pleural mesothelioma cases, most patients who are diagnosed with this form of cancer are over the age of 75 (about 80 percent), and a significant amount of them are men.

Will everyone who is exposed to asbestos develop pleural mesothelioma? Only about 20 percent of people who have been heavily exposed to asbestos during their lifetimes will develop this disease. If you suspect you may have the signs or symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, it is important to speak with a physician immediately. Then consult a Sacramento mesothelioma lawyer about filing a claim for compensation.

The video below provides an overview of pleural mesothelioma cancer, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment.

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento mesothelioma attorney. If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or if you’ve recently lost a loved one because of this tragic disease, please give me a call at 916.921.6400 or 800.404.5400 for free, friendly advice. I can also be contacted by using this online form.

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

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Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 11.15.19]