Mesothelioma Law Blog

The truth is that a mesothelioma diagnosis is a tough thing. It’s hard on anyone diagnosed with cancer, and it’s hard on friends and family members.

Because there’s no reliable cure, the diagnosis often leads to a lot of uncertainty. What are the treatment options? What are the odds? How long do I have? How will I feel? How will I pay for everything? The questions pile up fast, so it can be important to step back, take a breath and seek greater clarity.

Asbestos is a very unusual substance. It is a nearly indestructible fiber that comes from a rock instead of a plant or animal. With qualities like these, there is no need to wonder why people have been drawn to it throughout history.

To ancient people, especially, asbestos must have seemed like magic. They could weave asbestos fibers into blankets, tablecloths, clothes and other textiles. When these fabrics became dirty, someone could throw them into the fire where they would be cleaned but not destroyed.

A recent story from New York City illustrates the dangers that many people face simply by living or working in the nation’s older buildings. It also shows how often people are unaware of the dangers. And it points out how building owners and managers often try to shortcut proper safety measures.

According to the New York Daily News, roughly 1,000 people may have been breathing carcinogenic asbestos fibers while working at a Brooklyn transit depot. That’s bad enough, but the report also suggested maintenance teams were aware of the asbestos and failed to treat it properly.

When you decide to buy a new house, it’s all about your future. Maybe it’s about planting your roots and settling into place. Perhaps you’re looking for the home to house your growing family. Maybe, to you, the move to a new home carries a different meaning. But the odds are that it’s a meaning and a change to which you look forward.

Sadly, asbestos in the home can taint your dreams. As the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) notes, many of the homes built between 1930 and 1950 frequently used asbestos insulation. Homebuilders also used many other products that contained the deadly carcinogen. So, what can you if you realize a seller failed to warn you that your dream house came loaded with the threat of cancer?