Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos over long periods of time.  The shipping industry in particular was at a higher risk to heavy exposure to asbestos.  Shipbuilders dry dock workers, mechanics, and shipyard workers are professions that had a high level of asbestos exposure.  Asbestos was used heavily for many years in shipyards to insulate many different parts of ships that were being built such as boilers and incinerators.

The health risks associated with exposure to asbestos were not known until the 1970′s.  For nearly a half a century prior to the 1970′s asbestos was used heavily in shipyards as we built ships for World War II, the cold war, private industry, and other National issues that required a strong defense.  Shipyard workers were unknowingly at risk to serious injury based on their long term exposure to asbestos.  Many people who were exposed to asbestos between the 1940′s through the 1990′s are now finding that they have mesothelioma, a type of cancer that is directly related to being exposed to asbestos.  Mesothelioma can develop between 20 and 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that attacks the linings of certain organs and typically the lungs.  Symptoms of mesothelioma can seem like a common cold initially with a cough, and then can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, and small lumps near the chest underneath the skin.

If you or a loved on think that you may be experiencing any symptoms that indicate that you may be suffering from mesothelioma, then please call a medical professional immediately to have a doctor examine you.

In addition if you or a loved one worked in a shipyard and you think that you may have been exposed to asbestos, or if you have mesothelioma, then you may be entitled to compensation for the damage that the shipyard asbestos exposure has caused by causing you to develop mesothlioma.  Please contact us today to speak with a qualified attorney experienced in asbestos and mesothelioma cases to make sure that you get the help you deserve.