Malignant mesothelioma is rare type of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium which is the thin, protective layer that surrounds most of the internal organs. Most cases occur in the lungs but the cancer can spread to other parts of the body including the kidneys, testicles, stomach and heart. The majority of malignant mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos.

People who worked in environments that exposed them to asbestos have the greatest risk of encountering this rare cancer. Factories that produced roofing, flooring and insulation materials used asbestos in the manufacturing process up until 1989. Employees working with this material often inhaled asbestos fibers. Asbestos fibers can be too small to see with the human eye. At the end of the day, many workers often unwittingly brought them home. There is research suggesting that asbestos exposure can occur from instances like sharing a bed, washing contaminated clothes or even riding in the same car. Unfortunately the latency period for malignant mesothelioma is quite long. It is not unheard of for the cancer to take 15 to 40 years before causing illness.

Many survivors and family members of those who have since passed away have filed asbestos cancer lawsuit claims against the corporations that used asbestos. There is a growing concern that the danger was realized by the corporations but they ultimately chose profit over safety. Many law firms now specialize in lawsuits against the corporations that exposed workers to asbestos. As the scientific evidence grows, we are just starting to see more specialized lawsuits to cover the scope of a very big issue. For example, rather than wait decades for the cancer to appear, some people are seeking financial compensation before illness. Other law firms cover specific types of cancer like peritoneal mesothelioma which affects the abdominal region. Many class action lawsuits are now being filed by law firms that base their entire practice on asbestos litigation. The legal issues are clouded however by many false claims put forth in the hope of an unquestioned payoff. This is unfortunate for victims of asbestos contamination because some corporations would rather file for bankruptcy than pay.