If you work with or around
asbestos and aren't properly protected, there is a chance that prolonged exposure will leave you vulnerable to developing
mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. With
mesothelioma, malignant cells grow in the
mesothelium, which is the protective lining that covers many of the body's most important internal organs. The most common place for this cancer to develop in on the lining of the lungs or on the chest wall, although it can develop elsewhere within the body. Because
mesothelioma can be prevented by safety equipment and because it is a work-related illness, compensation claims are a big issue.
The first claim against an asbestos manufacturer was in 1929, although as part of the lawsuit it was agreed to not pursue any further cases. It wasn't until the 1960's that asbestos was officially recognised as the cause of mesothelioma. An article was written in which more than 30 cases of people working with asbestos and suffering from the disease were recorded. Today, many claims are made by employees against employers who have failed to implement strict safety measures, rendering the employer negligent. In the US claims resulting from asbestos lawsuits have now reached into billions of dollars. In the UK claims are less common but the number of lawsuits citing asbestos as the primary cause of mesothelioma is growing steadily.