Article Reviewed on 4/7/26
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral widely used in construction and manufacturing throughout most of the 20th century. Asbestos fibers can easily be inhaled, and prolonged exposure can lead to the development of mesothelioma decades later.
While the use of asbestos has been restricted because of the well-known health risks, individuals who worked in industries like construction, automotive repair and manufacturing were frequently exposed to asbestos in the past. Even people living in older homes may have been exposed to asbestos materials as they deteriorated over time.
Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form and affects the lining of the lungs. It is often detected late, but if diagnosed early enough patients can survive for over 3 years.
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Peritoneal Mesothelioma accounts for roughly 10-15% of malignant mesothelioma cases, affecting the lining of the stomach. Because it can be treated with surgery and heated chemotherapy, it often has a longer survival rate of 5 or more years.
A study on Pericardial Mesothelioma, published by James Illiff in the American Heart Association Journal, found that the disease affects the lining of the heart and is one of the rarest forms with fewer than 1% of annual cases in the US. Without treatment, patients rarely survive for over a year, but with surgical treatment, patients can often live for multiple years.
Testicular Mesothelioma is the rarest form, affecting the lining of the testes. It is treatable with chemotherapy and surgery. A study published in Urology about Testicular Mesothelioma found that 58% of those diagnosed have a 5-year survival rate.
According to The Mesothelioma Center, certain occupations have historically put workers at a higher risk of asbestos exposure, including:
Asbestos was widely used in construction materials, insulation and fire-resistance products due to its heat-resistant properties. People working in these industries prior to the 1970s faced significant risks of inhaling asbestos fibers on the job.
Here’s why.
“Hi, I’m Anne Marie”
Are you an actor, or a football player?
“No, I was injured working for my employer of 18 years. They denied responsibility. The owner of the semitrailer that collapsed denied liability. My employer even denied my worker’s comp claim. I had a personal injury attorney who represented me for a year tell me to settle for less than my costs because he settles and the insurance companies didn’t want to pay my bills. I was horribly injured, in terrible pain and despair, so I called Warshafsky”
I’m Victor Harding. You hear that folks? Worked faithfully for two decades to be thrown out with the garbage after suffering injuries at work, then get shafted by a settlement clearinghouse law firm that cares about one thing, their paycheck.
Today 5 years later and all medical bills and fees behind me, I picked up a check for 1.1 million dollars from the Warshafsky personal injury law firm. Warshafsky prevailed when all seemed lost.”
The CDC reports more than 27 million workers in the US were exposed to asbestos at some point during the 20th century.
According to the CDC, mesothelioma killed 54,905 people in the US between 1999 and 2020.
Between 1999 and 2015, an estimated 1,410 Wisconsinites died of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma.com reports Wisconsin’s mesothelioma death rate is significantly higher than the national average, at 11.4 per 1 million people.
According to the National Cancer Institute, new mesothelioma cases have been trending downward each year since 2014.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US industries with the highest proportion of mesothelioma deaths from 1999 to 2020 were:
According to The Mesothelioma Center, certain occupations have historically put workers at a higher risk of asbestos exposure, including:
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers over an extended period. As the fibers accumulate in the lung tissue, they trigger scarring and inflammation, making it increasingly difficult for the lungs to function properly. Asbestosis can lead to shortness of breath, coughing and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Studies have linked asbestos exposure to an increased risk of ovarian cancer in women and laryngeal (voice box) cancer. It’s believed asbestos fibers can travel through the body, causing DNA damage in these areas and developing cancerous cells.
To prove negligence, you must demonstrate the defendant owed you a legal duty of care, breached that duty and the breach directly caused your injury.
Yes, millions of dollars may be at stake in a mesothelioma case. Companies will aggressively try to prove your claims false. Hire an experienced trial attorney to ensure you get the compensation you or your loved one deserve.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are most often filed against the companies that produced the asbestos materials that caused your illness.
While you may have contracted mesothelioma when serving in the military, mesothelioma lawsuits are usually filed against the companies that produced the materials causing your illness. You may also be eligible for benefits through the Department of Veteran Affairs.
After victims began filing lawsuits against asbestos-industry companies, they sought bankruptcy protection to ensure their company's survival. In exchange, the government required those companies to establish trust funds to compensate current and future victims of asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma victims can apply for expedited Social Security disability benefits. You may also be eligible for workers compensation benefits, but this varies by state. Our team of experienced lawyers will help you with your claims to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
