Asbestos Frequently Asked Questions
Why Was Asbestos Used in Building And Insulation Products?
The primary reason that asbestos was used in building products was as a binder or filler material. It was cheap and easily available. It is stringy and resilient, and thus makes a good binder. Its resilience also reduced the breakage of the products between the factory and the worksite. In pipe covering and other materials, asbestos created air pockets which provided heat resistance.
Asbestos was marketed for its fire-resistant qualities. In reality, at approximately 1200 degrees, asbestos transforms into an inert mineral. Other materials were available, even in the 1930s and thereafter, that could have been used (and, in fact, were used) as substitutes for asbestos without any sacrifice in product integrity or heat resistance. The asbestos industry peddled asbestos as a “magic mineral,” creating a demand for the material, without advising of the dangers of exposure. As a result, thousands of American workers were injured and killed. It was unnecessary and could have been avoided.
Asbestos Exposure Leads to Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and is proven to cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma typically affects the lining of the lungs, is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments, limiting the treatment options. Most patients do not receive a diagnosis until after symptoms appear, which can be 30 years or more after exposure. The latency period can be as many as 50 years. The prognosis is usually grim with no known cures, and with the average survival time varying from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.
If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you should explore your legal options. You have a right to compensation from those companies that knowingly placed you and your family at risk.
Contact a Belluck & Fox Asbestos Lawyer Today
The lawyers at Belluck & Fox pride themselves on their commitment and support to you when investigating your claims. While we can’t find cures or improve your prognosis, we can help you get the compensation you deserve through your litigation. From the initial meeting, your lawyer will explain your legal options and start the research and investigation into the companies named in your claims and lawsuits. We will stay with you throughout every phase of your litigation.
Contact Belluck & Fox so we can advise you of your legal options.
