Asbestos Injuries
"Asbestos" is a generic name given to a fibrous variety of six naturally occurring minerals that have been used for decades in the development of thousands of commercial products. The term "asbestos" is not a mineralogical definition but a commercial name given to a group of minerals that possess high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance. These minerals have been used in many products, including insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes and textile products, and cement and wallboard materials.

Asbestos minerals have a tendency to separate into microscopic-size particles that can remain in the air where they are easily inhaled. Persons exposed to asbestos at work have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Although the use of asbestos and asbestos products has dramatically decreased, they are still found in many residential and commercial settings where they continue to pose a health risk to workers and others.


Key Points about Asbestos


  • Exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers.

  • Smokers who are also exposed to asbestos have a greatly increased risk of lung cancer.

  • Individuals who have been exposed (or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos fibers on the job or at home via a family contact should inform their physician of their exposure history and any symptoms, in addition to contacting a licensed attorney immediately.

Asbestos Related Sickness

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer; a tumor that affects the mesothelial cells, usually affecting the heart, lungs or abdominal organs.

The most common type of mesothelioma is that which affect the pleura, which is a thin membrane between the lungs and the chest cavity. A peritoneal mesothelioma is another form of this disease, affecting the peritoneum membrane of the abdomen. These tumors also can be found in the stomach and abdominal organs.

Like other cancers, mesothelioma can be both malignant and benign, although the most common is the malignant form. It is a fast-spreading disease and the life expectancy of mesothelioma victims is not long - usually between four months and two years.

If you have been exposed to asbestos contact the personal injury attorneys at Waltman & Grisham to defend your rights.

Visit the following websites for more information about asbestos related illness and injury:

The Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/asbestos