Huntsville started small but grew into a large metropolitan area known for its Redstone Arsenal and as the birthplace of the country’s space rocket program. Huntsville’s rapid growth includes a history of asbestos use. Search for a top-rated Huntsville mesothelioma lawyer in Alabama if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible to receive a substantial amount of compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading Huntsville mesothelioma attorneys, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
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Huntsville Asbestos Facts
- Huntsville’s rapid growth included using asbestos in building construction and several industries.
- Nearly 4,000 people died from asbestos-related illnesses in Alabama from 1999 to 2017, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
- Approximately 3,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually. This rare and aggressive form of cancer is primarily linked to asbestos exposure. Despite its rarity, the impact on patients and their families can be profound, highlighting the importance of awareness and early detection.
Why is Mesothelioma Often Diagnosed in Its Later Stages?
Mesothelioma is notoriously challenging to identify early, primarily due to its subtle onset. The early symptoms—such as fatigue, persistent coughing, muscle weakness, fever, and night sweats—are easily mistaken for more common conditions, leading many to dismiss them initially. This symptom overlap with less severe illnesses is a key reason for delayed diagnosis.
Symptom Overlap with Common Illnesses
Many individuals and even healthcare providers attribute these early signs to familiar ailments like the flu or pneumonia. This misattribution delays further investigation, allowing the disease to progress unnoticed.
Latency Period
Additionally, mesothelioma has an extended latency period. It can take decades from the initial exposure to asbestos—the primary cause—before symptoms become apparent. By the time symptoms are severe enough to warrant specialized testing, the disease is typically in an advanced stage.
Diagnostic Challenges
The rarity of the disease means that it isn’t always top-of-mind for doctors when patients present with these symptoms. This lack of immediate suspicion necessitates more intricate procedures, such as biopsies and imaging scans, to confirm a diagnosis, further contributing to the delayed discovery.
In summary, misinterpretation of early symptoms, a lengthy latency period, and the disease’s rarity collectively contribute to why mesothelioma is usually diagnosed only when it’s well advanced.
How a Huntsville Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help You
Contact an Alabama or Huntsville mesothelioma lawyer if you have a diagnosis of any asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by negligent asbestos exposure. One or more companies can be held accountable and liable for your exposure and illness.
An asbestos attorney or firm can do several things to help you with this terrible diagnosis:
- Investigate your case and determine where and when you were exposed
- Explain your options for taking legal action
- Ensure you have the best possible chance of recovering compensation
- Maximize the compensation you receive for medical and other expenses
- File a claim for compensation with an asbestos trust if the responsible companies went bankrupt
- Deal with all legal issues so that you can focus on treatment
Understanding the statute of limitations for filing a mesothelioma claim in Alabama is crucial for anyone affected by asbestos exposure. In Alabama, individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma have a specific time frame in which they can file a claim. For those exposed to asbestos before 1980, the law generally allows one year from their diagnosis to take legal action.
This deadline is influenced by the discovery rule, which typically enables patients to file claims based on when their illness was diagnosed rather than when the exposure occurred. However, Alabama has specific limitations regarding this rule as it applies to asbestos-related diseases. Thus, it’s essential for patients and their families to act swiftly after diagnosis to ensure they meet the legal requirements for filing a claim.
Consulting with a knowledgeable attorney can help navigate the complexities of filing within these legal time frames and ensure that rights are protected.
Finding a Top Huntsville, Alabama Mesothelioma Lawyer
A lawyer representing you in a mesothelioma case should be an expert. Asbestos lawsuits are complicated. Look for a firm that has represented and won for clients like you.
They should be familiar with Huntsville and Alabama but also have national reach. Most cases involve multiple companies located in different states. A large, national firm can get you the best results.
A History of Industry and Asbestos in Huntsville
Founded as Twickenham in 1809, the city was renamed Huntsville in 1811 to honor John Hunt, the first settler.
Initially, the city’s industry was cotton, but the economy expanded to include textile mills and railroad transportation connections as it grew.
The area became more industrialized by the turn of the 20th Century. The establishment of several munitions factories and the Army’s Redstone Arsenal during World War II catalyzed Huntsville’s recovery after the Great Depression.
After the war, munitions factories closed, but the Cold War with the former Soviet Union compelled the Army to establish its missile research facilities in Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal. At Redstone, the Army tested ballistic missiles for military use.
Huntsville earned the nickname Rocket City, and the first U.S. satellite, Explorer I, was launched from Redstone Arsenal on January 31, 1958.
Later, the Marshall Space Flight Center helped develop the Saturn rockets that took astronauts to the Moon during Project Apollo. It was also a key player in the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs.
All of these industries used asbestos to some degree for its ability to insulate and protect against fire, heat, and friction.
Did Companies Know About the Dangers of Asbestos to Workers?
Yes, many companies were aware of the harmful effects of asbestos on workers long before any safety measures were implemented. For decades, research and evidence highlighting the hazardous nature of asbestos were available. Despite this, several manufacturers continued to integrate asbestos into their products without providing adequate warnings or protective measures to their employees.
Evidence of Awareness
- Scientific Studies: As early as the 1930s, scientific studies linked asbestos exposure to severe health issues, including lung cancer and other respiratory problems.
- Internal Documents: In numerous instances, internal company documents revealed that executives had knowledge of the risks. These documents often showed a conscious decision to prioritize profit over safety.
- Lawsuits and Legal Precedents: Many companies faced lawsuits over their failure to warn or protect their workers. These legal cases frequently unearthed evidence that companies knowingly ignored the dangers for economic gain.
By choosing to continue the production of asbestos-laden products without sufficient safety warnings, these companies put countless workers at risk. This decision has had long-lasting repercussions on public health and workplace safety standards.
Where Asbestos Was Used in Huntsville
The establishment of the military and civilian missile programs and the influx of new workers created a demand for new housing in Huntsville.
While the evolution of Huntsville had beneficial effects for northern Alabama, it also has a tragic connection to America’s asbestos problem.
The industrial and residential growth boom in Huntsville and the state led to thousands of tons of asbestos being imported into Alabama. From the mid-1800s to the late 1970s, it was used to construct industrial, commercial, and residential buildings.
Asbestos is hazardous to human health. The tiny asbestos fibers are easy to inhale or swallow. Once inside the body, the fibers can build up over time. Exposure triggers asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and malignant mesothelioma.
Beginning in the 1800s, some of the important industries in Huntsville that used asbestos in their buildings, equipment, machinery, or products included:
- Textile mills
- Railroad locomotives
- Sawmills
- Power plants
- Auto repair shops
- Construction
- Steel
- Aerospace
Within these industries, specific professions were more likely to come into contact with asbestos due to their work environment and tasks. These professions include:
- Auto Mechanics: Often exposed while working with brake linings and gaskets.
- Carpenters and Drywall Installers: Encounter asbestos in building materials such as insulation and joint compounds.
- Shipyard Workers and Sailors: Handle asbestos used in shipbuilding for insulation and fireproofing.
- Textile Mill Workers: Work with machinery and materials that may contain asbestos fibers.
- HVAC Mechanics and Plumbers: Engage with asbestos-containing pipe insulation and ductwork.
- Steel and Iron Workers: Face exposure from high-heat environments where asbestos is used for fire resistance.
- Aerospace Mechanics and Aircraft Production Workers: Encounter asbestos in aircraft components for its heat-resistant properties.
By understanding the industries and the specific roles within them, it’s clear how pervasive asbestos exposure has been across various sectors, especially in Huntsville‘s historical context. This awareness is crucial for identifying at-risk workers and implementing safety measures to protect them.
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Huntsville, Alabama?
Finding out where and when you encountered asbestos is challenging. It’s one of the first things your lawyer will do. They have access to resources the general public does not and can track down exposure histories.
Many industries used asbestos minerals and their derivatives across a broad spectrum of products and purposes.
As a result, many Huntsville job sites in both the public and private sectors are known to have asbestos exposure issues. Though many of the companies named in the list have changed names, corporate owners, or dissolved, asbestos exposure occurred at the following job sites:
- Redstone Arsenal
- Huntsville Arsenal
- Huntsville Depot
- Marshall Space Flight Center
- Jenkins Brick & Tile Company
- Huntsville Ice & Coal Company
- Olin-Mathieson Chemical Corporation
- Alabama Chemical Company
- Gulf Chemical Warfare Depot
- Huntsville Railway & Light Power Company (Huntsville Utilities)
- Dunlop Tire & Rubber Company
- Dallas Manufacturing Company
- Pate Supply Company of Huntsville
- Pipefitters Union/Local 377
- Huntsville Ice Cream & Creamery Company
- Huntsville Brick & Tile
Understanding the Common Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Have you been exposed to asbestos and are concerned about potential health implications such as mesothelioma? Recognizing the symptoms of mesothelioma can be challenging, as they often don’t manifest until the disease has progressed to more severe stages. Initially, symptoms like fatigue, persistent cough, muscle weakness, fever, and night sweats may appear. These are often mistaken for less severe illnesses.
As mesothelioma advances, more alarming symptoms might arise, including:
- Persistent coughing with blood
- Difficulty swallowing and breathing
- Anemia
- Accumulation of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)
- Intense chest pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bowel obstruction
- Blood clotting issues
Malignant vs. Benign Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can manifest in two forms: malignant or benign. Malignant mesothelioma involves cancerous tumors in the mesothelium and poses a significant health threat, often detected only in advanced stages. In contrast, benign mesothelioma involves non-cancerous tumors.
Treatment Options
Due to its typically late detection, malignant mesothelioma carries a high mortality rate. Common treatment methods include surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to manage the disease. Recognizing symptoms early and consulting a healthcare professional can improve management options.
How long can it take for symptoms of asbestos exposure to appear?
Symptoms of asbestos exposure can be quite delayed. It often takes 10 to 50 years after the initial exposure for symptoms to manifest. This prolonged latency means individuals might not even realize they’ve been affected until decades later.
Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, have particularly long incubation periods. During this time, microscopic asbestos fibers can cause damage without any immediate signs or symptoms.
Recognizing the potential for such a lengthy delay is crucial for anyone who has been exposed. Regular health check-ups and being vigilant about any unusual changes in health are essential steps after known exposure.
Keeping this timeline in mind can help facilitate early detection and better management of any health issues that may arise down the line.
-Jingjing Z.
People in this company are friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. They quickly answered all my questions and patiently walked me through the case and any open issues. I so appreciate their diligence and patience during this challenging time.
National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers in Alabama
- UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1802 Sixth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, (205) 975-8222, 1-800-822-0933
Usual Treatments for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer often linked to asbestos exposure, requires a comprehensive treatment plan. The usual approaches include:
- Surgery: Known as resection, this involves removing as much of the tumor as possible. This can sometimes be followed by additional therapies to target residual cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy: This technique uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells, often used to shrink tumors before surgery or to eliminate remaining cancerous cells afterward.
- Chemotherapy: Utilizing drugs to destroy cancer cells, chemotherapy can be administered intravenously or directly to the affected area, aiming to reduce tumor size or control its spread.
These treatments may be used alone or in combination, depending on the individual patient’s health and tumor characteristics. The goal is to manage the disease, alleviate symptoms, and increase life expectancy. Consultations with a multidisciplinary medical team help tailor the approach to each patient’s unique situation.
Getting Legal Help
Keep in mind that you may be eligible for significant compensation. Get our free Financial Compensation Packet for information on the top mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.
