Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos, and the most common form of malignant mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that has been used in industrial applications including shipbuilding, the automotive industry, mining, and more. The asbestos fibers are small and easily inhaled or ingested and once in the lungs cause inflammation and pleural plaques which lead to mesothelioma.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can take 20 to 30 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. The asbestos fibers work their way into the lungs and into the pleural membrane and cause changes to the plural cells. The fibers cause the cells to divide abnormally causing thickening of the pleural membrane. Thickening of the pleural membrane results in a buildup of fluid that put pressure on the respiratory system causing breathing problems. Although it starts in the pleura, pleural mesothelioma can quickly spread to other areas around the abdomen, heart, and chest.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can include

		Chronic and raspy coughing
		Difficulty with swallowing
		Shortness of breath or difficulty catching one’s breath
		Persistent chest pain or pain when breathing
		Coughing up blood
		Lumps under the skin around the abdominal area
		Fever, night sweats
		Fatigue
		Weight loss

While pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma diagnosis, mesothelioma is still a rare disease. There are only about 2000 mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of pleural mesothelioma and the disease is dose-dependent, meaning the longer and more exposure to the asbestos fibers the more likely the person is to develop pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestos was commonly used in industrial settings with little to no precautions taken by the businesses to protect employees from dangerous levels of asbestos exposure. Many of these companies should be held liable for not protecting their employees from the asbestos exposure that has caused employees to develop pleural mesothelioma 20 to 30 years later.

A pleural mesothelioma lawsuit settlement can be substantial. And while getting a pleural mesothelioma settlement will not make up for the loss of health or a death in the family, it is a way for the victims of negligent asbestos exposure and their families to recover medical expenses and other damages.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos at work or home and been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, you may be eligible to financial compensation. An experienced pleural mesothelioma attorney can help you learn about your rights and guide you through the process of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit.