Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. It primarily affects the lining of the lungs and abdomen, but can also spread to other parts of the body. It is a devastating diagnosis for those who receive it and it is often difficult to treat. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is a disease that is entirely preventable.
The use of asbestos was widespread throughout the 20th century. It was used in a variety of applications, primarily for insulation, but also in many other products such as brake pads and ceiling tiles. It was only in the late 1970s when the dangers of asbestos were finally realized and the use of asbestos began to be restricted.
Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. Millions of people had already been exposed to asbestos and, as a result, thousands of people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The average life expectancy for someone with mesothelioma is just 12-21 months, meaning that many people don’t live to see the compensation they are often due from those responsible for their illness.
The cost of mesothelioma is immense. Not only are there the costs associated with treating the disease, but there are also the costs of lost wages, lost quality of life, and the emotional toll the disease takes on the patient and their family. The physical and emotional devastation that mesothelioma brings is difficult to quantify, but it is real and it is immense.
The cost of mesothelioma is a clear example of the cost of neglect. Companies knew that asbestos was dangerous but chose to ignore the risks in order to maximize their profits. Now, decades later, the consequences of that neglect are still being felt. Those responsible for the exposure of thousands of people to asbestos should be held accountable for the suffering that their negligence has caused.
The cost of mesothelioma is too high to ignore. We must ensure that those responsible for this preventable disease are held to account and that those affected by mesothelioma are given the support and compensation they deserve. Only then can we start to bring an end to this devastating illness.