Patients who may not be entirely familiar with the characteristics of asbestosis vs. mesothelioma may mistakenly refer to the latter condition as lung cancer. While the two diseases do share several similarities, and while many of the symptoms associated with one condition have also been reported in the other (such as shortness of breath, dry coughs, pain the chest, and difficulty breathing), it is important to understand the differences between asbestosis vs. mesothelioma. The distinction is particularly important if you have developed one or the other as a result of repeated asbestos exposure and you wish to learn more about pursuing a claim.
The Attorney Group for Texas can provide alleged victims with free, no-obligation consultations to help them to determine if they have a claim. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights, to ask us questions about asbestosis vs. mesothelioma, and to allow us to help you determine whether you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. Do so soon, because waiting too long could potentially mean being barred from seeking compensation in the future.
Asbestosis vs. Mesothelioma
Although patients living with either condition may suffer from breathing difficulties, asbestosis and mesothelioma are distinct from one another in that asbestosis is a chronic lung disease whereas mesothelioma is a form of cancer. Asbestosis is caused by inhalation of the asbestos fibers typically found in insulation, roofing, and other building materials. Given that asbestosis develops based on the amount of a person’s exposure to the fibers, those working around asbestos on a regular basis or with relative frequency run the highest risk of developing asbestosis. Once someone has developed asbestosis, the person is more likely to suffer from respiratory failure or pneumonia as the condition progresses.
Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that develops in the linings of various parts of the body including the testicles, the heart, and the lungs. Like asbestosis, the patient may find it difficult to breath. Pleural biopsies and CT scans can help to identify mesothelioma, and treatments for the cancer include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
Lung cancer can develop due to both an exposure to asbestos and other environmental factors as well, such as tobacco use and exposure to radon gases and second-hand smoke. According to statistics, 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses arise due to asbestos exposure whereas 80 percent of deaths due to lung cancer are caused by use of tobacco. Those who have allegedly developed a condition due to repeated exposure or victims with questions pertaining to asbestosis vs. mesothelioma may consider seeking legal counsel to learn more about their rights.
Asbestosis vs. Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Texas
According to The Mesothelioma Center, more asbestos lawsuits were filed in Texas than in any other state between 1998 and 2000, and this fact did not go unnoticed the state’s legislators. To reduce and manage the tens of thousands of pending claims, lawmakers began to adopt a series of changes in the law in the late 1990s. In 1997, Texas enacted a law to curb the filing of asbestos lawsuits by nonresidents, and in 2003, state legislature created a multidistrict litigation that designated specific courts to handle factually-similar claims. A large portion of asbestos-related lawsuits filed in Texas and other states throughout the U.S. involves mesothelioma, and these lawsuits are being filed in an attempt to help victims and their families recoup financial losses caused by medical bills and a lack of income after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis.
The Attorney Group for Texas Can Help Today
The Attorney Group for Texas is currently offering free consultations to those who believe they have developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. Those wishing to learn more about pursuing a claim for compensation are urged to seek legal counsel as soon as possible from attorneys who understand the differences between asbestosis vs. mesothelioma. The Attorney Group for Texas can answer your questions and connect you with an affiliated attorney able to help you attempt to recover the damages to which you may be entitled.
