In August of 2018, classes did not take place in a section of a Michigan high school where asbestos was discovered. The concerns stemmed from floor tile that contained asbestos, which was only discovered after a contractor sanded the tiles in question.
Since many schools and public buildings were constructed before the use of asbestos was heavily regulated in the 1970s, such stories are, sadly, not uncommon. Just months ago, for example, New Jersey parents were angered by the discovery of asbestos in a school that had supposedly thoroughly cleaned out its asbestos after finding mold a month earlier.
Worse, asbestos in Philadelphia schools has become something of a city-wide crisis and hidden peril that poses a safety risk to Philadelphia children and school staff. Effectively, asbestos in schools is a national problem that affects far too many public schools.
Children Who Are Exposed to Asbestos May Be Diagnosed Much Earlier Than Typical Mesothelioma Patients
One reason news of asbestos in schools is so troubling is related to the disease’s long latency period. It typically takes many years (as much as five decades in extreme cases) for asbestos exposure to turn into a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis. For many patients who have been exposed to asbestos in the military or at an industrial jobsite, this means they will be diagnosed with the disease as a senior citizen.
Any mesothelioma diagnosis is tragic and unwelcome, but it is especially sad to consider that exposed children may be diagnosed with the disease much earlier in life. Since best available estimates indicate that the average mesothelioma latency period is 40 years, a young elementary student could be diagnosed with mesothelioma in middle age or even early adult years if they have an unusually short latency period.
Harrowing stories such as children playing while being exposed to asbestos (as outlined in the Philadelphia news story concerning the prevalence of asbestos in their schools) can lead to a life-threatening cancer diagnosis years from now.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after asbestos was found at your school years ago, it is important to take legal action by speaking with a mesothelioma lawyer. Even if you are unsure if you were exposed to asbestos or where such an exposure may have occurred, it is still worth speaking to an attorney who can fully investigate the facts of a potential legal claim based on a wrongful exposure to asbestos.
At The Ledger Law Firm, we have helped mesothelioma victims and surviving loved ones recover millions in compensation when a legally responsible party exposed a mesothelioma patient to asbestos fibers.
Contact us online today for a free case evaluation with a mesothelioma lawyer at The Ledger Law Firm to discuss your claim and protect your legal rights.
