Asbestos is a set of naturally occurring minerals. Unfortunately, it’s dangerous. Even more unfortunate, it was once frequently used as an insulator and a flame retardant. Asbestos is most dangerous when it becomes disturbed and the mineral fibers become airborne. When one inhales these fibers, serious illness can result.

Exposure to asbestos could cause a number of very serious illnesses such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma – a cancer that attacks the lining of the chest and abdomen. Asbestos is so dangerous that in the late 1980s, the United States Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of most asbestos products. Fortunately, the new use of asbestos is infrequent in the United States.

As a result of the widespread use of asbestos many years ago, many people are suffering from illness due to its rampant use. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 100,000 people die each year due to asbestos-caused diseases.

If you or a loved one is suffering from an asbestos-caused disease or a loved one has died as a result of an asbestos-caused disease, it is wise to contact an attorney who specializes in handling these very complicated cases.