San Francisco Asbestos Attorney

Facts About California Mesothelioma

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the most important fact to know is there is only one known cause of mesothelioma. Namely, that cause is exposure to harmful asbestos fibers, which has been widely used in both commercial and industrial applications throughout the 20th century.

A single exposure to asbestos can lead to a mesothelioma diagnosis decades later. Here are the facts about mesothelioma in California that underscore the need to talk to a California asbestos and mesothelioma lawyer if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this deadly disease.

Hundreds of Californians Die of Asbestos-Related Illnesses Each Year

Each year, hundreds of Californians die of asbestos-related illnesses each year. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that also claims the lives of many Californians each year.

According to the California Department of Public Health’s Occupational Health Branch, a recent report found that over 350 California workers are diagnosed annually with mesothelioma. Worse, approximately 200 California workers die every year from a mesothelioma or asbestosis diagnosis.

Simply put, mesothelioma continues to take a significant toll on the wellbeing of California residents and their families.

A Mesothelioma Diagnosis Can Occur Decades After Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure does not lead to negative health consequences overnight. In fact, a mesothelioma diagnosis can take decades. Given that asbestos is a durable fiber that is difficult for the body to get rid of, mesothelioma is a cancer that develops slowly, which has led to some patients receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis 50 years after asbestos exposure.

Prior Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace Appears to Be the Leading Cause of California’s Mesothelioma

The aforementioned report from the California Department of Public Health also found that prior asbestos exposure, which was primarily found in the workplace, is responsible for as much as 85% of California’s mesothelioma. On the low end of the report’s estimate, the figure was 62%. Either way, it seems safe to conclude based on the latest research that workplace exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma in California.

Even so, these workers can take asbestos home on their clothes as well, exposing family members to the risks of asbestos. For this reason, California also allows members of a worker’s household to file a lawsuit if they were exposed to asbestos because a family member brought asbestos home from work.

These facts underscore the obvious fact that, while relatively rare, mesothelioma is a deadly disease that continues to wreak havoc decades after Californians were last exposed to asbestos.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or passed away due to an asbestos-related illness, talk to a California mesothelioma lawyer to determine whether you and your loved ones are entitled to legal compensation.
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Post Excerpt

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related illness and aggressive cancer that develops slowly and has killed thousands of Californians over the years.