Virginia Mesothelioma Attorney

Asbestos is a known cause for causing a fatal condition called mesothelioma, and if you or a loved one suffers from this deadly condition due to asbestos exposure at the work place, you should contact an experienced Virginia mesothelioma attorney and file a case against these companies. A good Virginia mesothelioma lawyer can help you make a strong case against the companies that exposed you or your loved one to asbestos.

One of the main reasons that mesothelioma is diagnosed late is the fact that the latency period of the condition is very prolonged and it may not show any signs and symptoms until years, and in some cases, decades after the initial asbestos exposure that triggered the condition. Most people who have been exposed to asbestos have been exposed at a job site, and these people did not even know about the hazards of this toxic material while they worked at asbestos contaminated work sites. The companies that hired these employees were given the responsibility of safeguarding their health, but their negligence could have cost these workers their lives.

Naturally occurring asbestos in Virginia:

Like many other states across America, Virginia is also home to natural deposits of asbestos which are mostly found in the form of metamorphosed rocks such as soapstone and serpentine [1]. These naturally occurring asbestos deposits can be found mainly in the Blur Ridge and Piedmont provinces of the state. At certain rock formations, asbestos is a mineral that can be found occurring naturally, and can be mined from exposed pit mines. A large percentage of all asbestos being used all over America is shipped from Canada, but that doesn’t mean that it is not found naturally in the United States. There are three main types of asbestos that are commonly found in America namely, crocidolite, amosite and chrysolite.

Asbestos contaminated sites in Virginia:

According to surveys conducted by the government, there are approximately twenty eight confirmed sites of asbestos deposits in Virginia. Out of these there are 2 inactive mines, 7 former prospects and 19 reported and confirmed occurrences of the mineral across the state. If you have worked at an asbestos contaminated work site and developed mesothelioma due to the result of asbestos exposure you should contact a Virginia mesothelioma attorney and file a case against the companies that you worked for.

Throughout the state, asbestos has been deemed as an indoor air pollutant. The government authorities in Virginia have taken charge of regulating all landfills where asbestos and asbestos containing materials are disposed off [2]. Measures are being taken to control the amount of asbestos exposure that occurs via airborne particles by regulating and checking all materials being used in construction projects and sites within the state, as well as the country.

Mesothelioma and asbestos:

Significant amount of evidence from different phases of the twentieth century proved that when asbestos fibers, which are very fine and minute, are inhaled into the human respiratory system, they can cause various different diseases and disorders [3]. It is for this reason that many workers who work in professions and job sites where asbestos is used, are exposed to the risks of developing these diseases. The most dangerous disease that is associated with exposure to asbestos, whether directly or indirectly, is a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers can remain airborne for a long time because of their light weight and small size and hence, can easily be ingested or inhaled by humans. Lung cancer and asbestosis can also be caused by asbestos fibers.

Asbestos is used extensively for many different purposes by the construction industry, and therefore there are chances of asbestos exposure occurring during demolition or renovation projects of old buildings. Apart from this, asbestos can also occur in natural deposits for example in the soil, in rocks, saprolite and various other forms as well. This naturally occurring asbestos also poses a grave threat to human health and lives especially when disturbed or exposed as a result of human activities. Based on the conclusions of a set of studies, asbestos fibers can be released into the atmosphere as a result of mining as well as quarrying. These fibers can then pose a threat to workers and nearby residents alike, to the chances of developing diseases associated to asbestos exposure.

Virginia asbestos exposure sites:

Sites enlisted for the confirmed risks of asbestos exposure across Virginia are as follows: Prince William County, Page County, Fairfax County [4], Arlington, Louisa County, Warren County, Fluvanna County, Fauquier County, Albemarle County, Madison County, Prince Edward County, Goochland County, Franklin County, Hanover County, Floyd County, Carroll County and Wythe County.

Different forms of naturally occurring deposits of asbestos have been found at all these locations.

Asbestos related deaths in Virginia:

There have been at least 1750 asbestos related deaths in the state of Virginia since the late 1970’s till the year 2000. Out of all of these, almost 970 deaths have been due to mesothelioma alone. If you have lost a loved one due to mesothelioma, you should file a claim against the companies that exposed your loved one to asbestos by contacting an experienced Virginia mesothelioma lawyer.