Mesothelioma Lawyers Blog
When tourists visit Boston, the Charlestown Navy Yard is often on the list of things to see. You can the U.S.S. Constitution, which is the oldest commissioned naval ship. You can also see the U.S.S Cassin-Young.
The Cassin-Young was a World War II destroyer that survived one of the biggest non-battle-related tragedies in naval history. In 1944, the Cassin-Young, along with other ships in the U.S. Third Fleet, was operating near the Philippines when a Pacific typhoon named Cobra hit the battle group.
100mph winds and huge waves ravaged the fleet, and, of the 776 men aboard the respective ships, 91 survived. According to a recent news article from Your West Valley News, one sailor remains the only living member from that tragic event. However, he is suffering from mesothelioma.
He was diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to asbestos from pipe insulation used aboard the Cassin-Young. As our Boston asbestos exposure lawyers can explain, many who worked aboard ships, in shipyards, and in factories in the middle of the last century were routinely exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance made up of six silica minerals that is naturally resistant to heat, fire, dangerous chemicals, and electricity. It is cheap and abundant and was heavily used during the industrial revolution in virtually every aspect of production and construction.
When the fibers are inhaled, they become embedded in a layer of tissue known as the mesothelium. There is no way for doctors to remove the fibers or even know if they are present. After a long period of time (normally 20 to 50 years) these fibers may metastasizedto the point where the patient experiences symptoms of mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other respiratory illness.
By the time a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, he or she may only have a matter of months to live, and there is no effective treatment for the disease other than pain management drugs. Chemotherapy and radiation can be used as a treatment, but generally they will only offer a short increase in the victim’s life.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is best to contact an attorney who specializes in these types of cases as soon as possible. One of the most important things that can be done to help improve the chances of your family obtaining full and appropriate financial compensation is to figure out when and where you were exposed to asbestos.
There were so many sources of asbestos during much the past century that it is often hard to know exactly how your exposure occurred. While there is often no doubt that your mesothelioma was caused by asbestos exposure, your attorney needs to figure out which company or companies is responsible for your actual exposure.
You should speak with family members and surviving co-workers to see if they also remember being exposed to asbestos at work. The more evidence you can gather, the greater you chances will be of reaching a settlement or verdict at trial.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma in Boston, call for a free and confidential appointment at (617) 777-7777.
Additional Resources:
Surprise vet survived WWII sea tragedy, November 11, 2014, Your Northwest Valley
More Blog Entries:
EPA Investigates Improper Asbestos Removal at Old School Building Slated for Demolition, August 28, Boston Mesothelioma Lawyers Blog