We mentioned in Monday’s blog post that the number of U.S. deaths due to asbestos exposure have been hard to estimate. Researchers are finding that diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer are taking the lives of more individuals than originally thought. It was also recently reported that the state of Maine has experienced a higher-than-average asbestos-related death toll.
Between 1999 and 2013, more than 2,000 individuals died due to asbestos-related causes in the state. The exposure rate is believed to be caused by the number of older homes in the state that were constructed with asbestos-containing materials – a situation that is not going to disappear overnight.
What is worse is that the makers of these products often knew about the dangers of asbestos exposure, yet continued to build homes with the substance and employ workers to do so.
Many individuals who have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials have been compensated for the asbestos-related illnesses that evolve after exposure occurs. If you or someone you love is worried about developing an asbestos-related disease due to past exposure, do not hesitate to alert your doctor to the possibility of a future diagnosis.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma or asbestosis, you might be eligible for compensation for costly medical bills, time lost at work, and more. Since the effects of exposure cannot be reversed, contacting an asbestos attorney should be your next plan of action.
Source: WCSH6
