Asbestos regulations have been in place since the 1970s thanks to the EPA and OSHA. 40 years later, Mesothelioma continues to take lives at an ever increasing rate, which is expected to peak in 2010.
Mesothelioma’s latency period is among the biggest reasons that this disease still affects families today. It can take decades before symptoms (such as persistent cough, fatigue, and major unexplained weight loss) of asbestos-related cancer show up.
Unfortunately, we are not near the end of the asbestos era. Many companies continue to negligently expose their employees to asbestos. Often times, these companies file bankruptcy and trusts to avoid paying for their negligence. Families of mesothelioma victims end up being paid only pennies on the dollar for the mesothelioma cases they win, leaving them with thousands in debt.
There are also groups trying to limit victims’ right to seek compensation. It is called Tort Reform, and, not unexpectedly, many of the advocates are big corporations and insurance companies. Mesothelioma victim advocates are banding together to help fight these movements.
If you or a family member has been the victim of mesothelioma as a result of negligent exposure to asbestos, please contact Brown | Kiely, LLP in Baltimore, Maryland, to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer.
