Corpus Christi Mesothelioma Attorneys

Fighting for Victims of Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma brings severe damage and even death to victims who were exposed to asbestos. At the Bandas Law Firm, we have seen firsthand how those damages can affect the victim themselves as well as the family, friends, and loved ones.

Mesothelioma Facts

Every year, about 3,000 cases of mesothelioma cancer are diagnosed and the vast majority of these trace back to work-related exposure to asbestos. The United States government banned the use of asbestos in most ways by the 1970s. However, many structures still standing today contain the material. As a result, people are still exposed to it on a regular basis.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lungs when small pieces of asbestos fiber are breathed in and trapped. It is very aggressive and works very quickly. Symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Pain under the ribs
• Lumps in the chest area
• Back pain
• Exhaustion
• Fever

It is important that diagnosis is completed early, or cancer can be fatal. However, due to the nature of the disease, it is often only detectable when it has reached a late stage.

About Asbestos Exposure

For many years, we have been aware that asbestos is incredibly toxic to the human body when inhaled. It can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and/or mesothelioma, as well as other health complications. Unfortunately, many workers are still at risk for asbestos exposure in the workplace, and some cosmetics manufacturers still use asbestos in their powder products, though it is widely known to be a carcinogen.

If you believe that you have been wrongfully exposed to asbestos by your employer and/or a product manufacturer, you should speak with asbestos attorneys as soon as possible. If you can prove negligence on their part, you may be due compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Here at the Bandas Law Firm, we have the experience and training to handle asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cases. When you work with our firm, we will be involved in every step of the process. We know what matters most: your overall well-being. We understand that you have other things on your mind besides a lawsuit. You may be going through medical treatments or you may be grieving a lost loved one. That’s why we will handle everything, including the filing process. This way, you will be free to handle what matters the most.

Asbestos in the Workplace

Though you would think that exposure to asbestos and use of asbestos in the workplace would have been eradicated by now, it is sadly not the case.

Some jobs that are especially susceptible to asbestos exposure include:

• Shipbuilding
• HVAC equipment repair
• Roofing
• Janitorial services
• Automotive repair
• Mining
• Construction (particularly demolition and renovation)

The fact that these jobs have an innately higher risk of asbestos exposure does not relieve employers from the duty to protect workers. If you are in one of these high-risk fields, you should know your rights as an employee.

Protecting Workers from Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is supposed to be carefully monitored and regulated, per standards defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Though your job may allow a certain amount of asbestos exposure, your employer is required to take necessary steps to protect all employees from the health risks associated with asbestos.

Depending on the level of asbestos exposure in your field, you may be entitled to protective services and measures such as:

• Proper ventilation in workspaces
• Medical monitoring of asbestos exposure
• Clearly labeled warning signs in areas where asbestos exposure is likely
• Respirators and other protective equipment
• Post-exposure precautions (such as showers and decontamination areas)

If you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace and these precautions have not been taken, our seasoned asbestos attorneys may be able to assist you. We can discuss your case with you to determine whether or not your employer is guilty of negligence and what path you should take to gain compensation, especially if you have developed asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other health concerns associated with asbestos.

Asbestos in Beauty Products

Another disturbing instance of asbestos exposure comes with exposure over time through cosmetic products. Just last year, a woman found that she had developed mesothelioma, a rare and often deadly form of lung cancer that is almost exclusively associated with asbestos exposure.

The woman had never worked in a field where she would be exposed to asbestos. There was no asbestos in the insulation or materials of her house, and the gravel on roads she regularly drove upon was tested for asbestos, too, with negative results.

The cause of this woman’s severe illness was eventually traced back to the talcum powder she had been using for most of her life. The cosmetics company that produced it had known of the existence of asbestos in this product for decades and had made no changes to their formula. Negligence was easy to prove in this case.

If you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos through a household or personal care product, consult with a lawyer. It is through no fault of your own that your health has been put at risk, and a lawyer may be able to help you get the compensation you need.

Types of Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Depending on how you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos, the mesothelioma case will be handled differently. There are two primary types of lawsuits that may apply:

• Personal injury, if you are the mesothelioma patient. This includes primary asbestos exposure, meaning you had direct contact with the material, or secondary asbestos exposure, meaning you were in contact with someone who was in direct contact with the material.
• Wrongful death, if you are a loved one of someone who is deceased. Because you only have a limited amount of time to file this type of case, you need to work quickly in the wake of your loved one’s passing.

What Will Happen

If you file a lawsuit, then it will be up to you and your attorneys to show that asbestos exposure occurred. You will need to provide medical records, reports from other employees in your same occupation, proof that your employer knew asbestos was present, and much more. It can be overwhelming. However, when you have the Bandas Law Firm working with you, our Corpus Christi mesothelioma lawyers will be there through every step of the way, helping you gather the information needed. We will pursue the best possible outcome in your case, no matter the circumstances at hand.