Asbestos-Related Diseases

Asbestos exposure is strongly associated with several potentially fatal illnesses, including multiple types of asbestos lung cancer and other chronic fibrotic diseases of the lungs. Asbestos has altered the lives of an untold number of workers, as well as put their families at risk of acquiring diseases caused by household exposure.

Because mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer and other related diseases can almost always be attributed to asbestos exposure, you should tell your doctor about any past exposure, including your work or family history.

Common Diseases Associated with Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma: A form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells lining the lung, chest cavity, abdominal cavity or heart cavity. The three main types of mesothelioma include pleural, peritoneal and pericardial, and typically involve tumors composed of cancer cells known as epithelioid and/or sarcomatoid mesothelioma cells.

Asbestosis: The chronic inflammation and subsequent scarring of the lung that causes shortness of breath and is linked with an increased risk of lung cancer.

Lung cancer: The abnormal cell growth of lung tissues. The risk of lung cancer among people exposed to asbestos is seven times greater than that of the general population, especially in patients with a significant smoking history. Asbestos also causes lung cancer. For every case of mesothelioma, there are at least twice as many cases of asbestos-related lung cancer.

Other related cancers: cancers of the larynx, pancreas, esophagus, colon, kidney, omentum (the fatty tissue layer covering the lower abdomen) and tunica vaginalis (inner lining of the testicular sac) have also been linked to asbestos exposure.

Our Experience in Asbestos Litigation

Motley Rice attorneys pioneered the fight against asbestos manufacturers more than 30 years ago and uncovered documents that exposed asbestos companies' indifference and cover up of the asbestos-related diseases epidemic. We continue to fight for asbestos victims and have achieved many precedents on their behalf.

We are fully prepared to fight for justice against those responsible for harming asbestos victims and their families. Our attorneys take on tough litigation and are ready to give each case the passion, energy and experience needed. We can give victims a voice and be an advocate in their search for financial recovery, medical advancements and justice for this preventable disease.

Contact an Asbestos Attorney

If you have questions or would like to explore your legal rights regarding a potential mesothelioma or asbestos lawsuit, please contact attorney John Herrick or Anne McGinness Kearse by email or call 1.800.923.4237.

Asbestos-Related Disease: A Preventable Epidemic

Between 2,500 and 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year.

Outside of occupational and industrial environments, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes and a wide variety of building materials. People involved in construction repair work and the demolition of structures containing asbestos products are still at risk for exposure today as improper attempts to remove these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air.

World Trade Center Dust and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

Men and women who braved the challenges of ground zero during the cleanup process were also potentially exposed to toxic dust, including airborne asbestos particles, released into the air following the collapse of the World Trade Center. First responders, cleanup workers and Canal Street area residents who suffered injuries, illness or death resulting from work or toxic exposure at the World Trade Center or Pentagon crash sites are among those who may be eligible for compensation. Learn if you qualify for the new Victim Compensation Fund.

Read more about Motley Rice asbestos litigation