Professions Most at Risk for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Although treatments for mesothelioma are available, it is an aggressive cancer that is often incurable. This cancer leads to serious symptoms such as chest pain under the rib cage, shortness of breath, painful coughing, and rare lumps of tissue under the skin of the chest.

Exposure to asbestos, which are fibrous materials that can resist heat, fire, and electricity, is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Unfortunately, individuals who work in the professions listed below are most at risk for this life-threatening condition because asbestos often surrounds them in their work environment.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lost a loved one as a result of this cancer, you should contact a mesothelioma attorney at The Cates Law Firm, LLC as soon as possible. Call us today at (618) 767-6293 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Belleville mass tort lawyers.

Employees at a Higher Risk for Mesothelioma

There are a number of professions that carry with them a high risk of contracting Mesothelioma, including:

Construction Workers
In their line of work, construction workers have one of the highest uses of materials that contain asbestos. Those who work in renovation are particularly at risk of breathing in asbestos because many older homes are still built with insulation comprised of asbestos.

Boiler Workers
Boiler workers are often required to use a sledgehammer to work around the boiler to file jagged areas. Many boilers are covered with asbestos insulation, so the process of working around them can be very dangerous, thus exposing workers to a great deal of asbestos dust.

Plant Workers
Power plant, chemical plant, and industrial plant workers may all be exposed to asbestos. Power plant workers work with generators, boilers, and turbines, all of which may be made of asbestos. Often, industrial plant workers maintain and repair heavy machinery which may be comprised of materials that contain asbestos. Chemical workers also operate heavy machinery and equipment while wearing protective clothing that contains asbestos.

Firefighters
Since the majority of buildings that were built between the 1930s and 1970s feature products that contain asbestos, firefighters are at high risk of asbestos exposure. Additionally, some fire stations that were built prior to the 1980s that have not yet been renovated are an asbestos risk.

Shipyard Workers
In order to counter the threat of fire abroad ships, asbestos was used as an insulating material for years. Since they were involved in construction and repair activities, many shipyard workers were exposed to asbestos. Although asbestos use on ships has decreased since the 1980s, there are still many ships that contain asbestos in their pipes, boilers, and gaskets.

Auto Mechanics
Brakes, clutches, heat seals, and other auto parts contain asbestos because of its heat-resistant qualities. When these parts deteriorate, the asbestos circulates into the air and onto the clothing of auto mechanics. Since auto repairs shops are known for poor indoor air quality and circulation, inadequate air flow paired with the circulating asbestos particles makes this profession at a particularly high risk for mesothelioma.

Contact an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lost a loved one to this disease, you have the right to file a case against the company or manufacturer who exposed you to asbestos. For help with collecting fair compensation for your damages, contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney from The Cates Law Firm, LLC today at (618) 767-6293.