Mesothelioma is a particularly insidious disease because it often strikes decades after the victim has been exposed to asbestos. In a percentage of cases, the asbestos exposure occurred in childhood. Often, until research into the exposure has been conducted, the victim doesn’t even know that they were around asbestos. They’ve unknowingly been carrying the fibers in their bodies for years and the disease completely sneaks up on them. Typically, they don’t know they have it until it is in the most advanced stages.
Our mesothelioma lawyers have become familiar with numerous mesothelioma cases stemming from exposure early in life:
- In the 20th century, some playgrounds were filled with asbestos materials, or asbestos contaminated products were used as safety padding. Even today, asbestos can be found on playgrounds or in parks. Recently, aboriginal children on a reservation playground in Australia were drawing with “chalk” they found on the ground that was actually asbestos.
- Many schools, libraries and other public buildings children frequented contained asbestos.
- The mesothelioma lawyers at Simon, Eddins & Greenstone, LLP recently helped a client settle a case for $2,822,637.27, after fees and expenses, for exposure to asbestos products in her childhood home when it was renovated, among other exposures.
- Secondary exposure in childhood can cause adult mesothelioma. The child’s father, uncle or older brother may have worked with asbestos and brought it home on their clothing or hair.
A quick search on Google for “childhood asbestos exposure” brings up numerous stories of people struck with mesothelioma from childhood exposure.
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos at any time in your life, it is extremely important you visit your doctor for regular screenings for mesothelioma. The earlier mesothelioma is spotted, the more treatment options are typically available to you.
Tragically, many of those exposed in childhood are unaware that they could become mesothelioma victims and don’t receive medical treatment until it is too late.
If you were a child in the middle of the 20th century, be sure to ask surviving parents and family friends if they know of any way that you could have been exposed.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, but don’t know when you were exposed to asbestos, our mesothelioma lawyers may be able to help. Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.
Tags: asbestos, mesothelioma
