People may think asbestos-related mesothelioma cancer cases are on the decline in New York State. The common thought is: “I mean, mesothelioma only happens to old people, right? And their exposure was years ago, so what’s the problem?”
That’s wrong. Deadly exposure to asbestos has and continues to occur to people in every corner of New York State. Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma – an aggressive, usually fatal form of cancer that may take up to fifty (50) years to develop. According to the New York State Health Department, approximately 200 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in New York State and that number continues to rise.
Almost all asbestos exposure occurs or has occurred on job sites throughout New York. Asbestos has long been valued for its heat-resisting properties, and was used in building, repairing and maintaining machinery, pipes, roofs, tile, was mixed in cement, made into brake and clutch pads – even woven into “protective” asbestos clothing for workers. It is still in use today in the U.S., in fiber cement boards, automobile brakes and roofing materials. Other countries outside the U.S. also continue to use asbestos extensively, with asbestos-containing products shipped here and worldwide:
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/why-asbestos-is-still-used-around-the-world/3007504.article
People at risk for asbestos exposure in the workplace include miners (talc miners in New York State’s North Country), factory workers, insulation manufacturers and installers, railroad and automotive workers, ship builders, gas mask manufacturers, workers in power and chemical plants, plumbers, firefighters, metal workers, and construction workers. Many are veterans of the U.S. military who were exposed to asbestos while serving our country. Also at risk are children and families of workers exposed to asbestos at their jobs, because of asbestos fibers left on work shoes and clothing taken off by the worker at home the end of the day.
The American Cancer Society has a thorough explanation of asbestos, exposure to asbestos and the risk of mesothelioma on its website, here:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/asbestos.html
The American Cancer Society describes exposure risks as follows:
Inhaling asbestos: Most exposures come from inhaling asbestos fibers in the air. This can occur during the mining and processing of asbestos, when making asbestos-containing products, or when installing asbestos insulation. It can also occur when older buildings are demolished or renovated, or when older asbestos-containing materials begin to break down. In any of these situations, asbestos fibers tend to create a dust made of tiny particles that can float in the air.
Swallowing asbestos: Asbestos fibers can also be swallowed. This can happen when people consume contaminated food or liquids (such as water that flows through asbestos cement pipes). It can also occur when people cough up asbestos they have inhaled, and then swallow their saliva.
There are four (4) areas of the body where malignant mesotheliomas can occur. Again, from the American Cancer Society:
Pleural mesotheliomas start in the chest. More than 3 out of 4 mesotheliomas are pleural mesotheliomas.
Peritoneal mesotheliomas start in the abdomen. They make up most of the remaining cases.
Pericardial mesotheliomas start in the covering around the heart and are very rare.
Mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis are very rare tumors that start in the covering layer of the testicles.
See: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/about/malignant-mesothelioma.html
People with mesothelioma often miss the early symptoms of the disease, which may appear quite common: pain, weight loss or fever. By the time symptoms are fully manifested to oncologists, the disease may be in its advanced stages.
Many people also believe asbestos-related mesothelioma cases all occurred in years past – not true. As set forth above, cases of mesothelioma continue to occur in New York State, and the rate of new cases continues to actually rise. The New York State Health Department reports that approximately 200 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in New York State. The Health Department states about 75 percent of people with mesothelioma in New York State are age 65 and older – indicating how long it can take to develop the cancer. The New York State Health Department mesothelioma website report can be found here:
https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/cancer/registry/abouts/malignant_mesothelioma.htm
Asbestos is and has been everywhere, and too many people in New York have been exposed to the deadly, powdery fibers. As a consequence, mesothelioma is not going away.
WHAT TO DO NEXT AND WHY CHOOSE JAMES T. SNYDER LAW?
If you or someone you know in New York State has been injured by or died from mesothelioma associated with asbestos exposure, you and/or the deceased’s estate may be entitled to compensation. But if you’ve seen ads on TV or are searching the internet for an attorney to help -- you may be completely bewildered or confused by all the Google search results, 800 numbers, faceless out-of-New York State law firms, free mesothelioma booklet “come-ons,” etc.
If so, you’ve come to the right place.
We can help you personally. We’ve helped so many people who have been injured by the negligence of others. People want someone to talk to, to answer their questions and sort through their options regarding mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure, without a fee or obligation -- it’s a comfort and a relief.
So for a free, no-obligation personal consultation about your legal rights or those of a deceased in New York regarding mesothelioma, with absolutely no obligation, call us at 315-884-8888 or fill out the easy-to-complete form below.
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