Mesothelioma Victims Center pushes families of exposed workers to seek legal help

The Mesothelioma Victims Center is urging families of former construction and skilled trades workers diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma to seek legal guidance and call for direct access to attorneys. The group says workplace asbestos exposure can lead to significant compensation claims and that families should review job history, employers and exposure records.

Why it matters: - Asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma can create major medical and financial strain for workers and families. - The Mesothelioma Victims Center says affected families may have access to compensation tied to workplace exposure, including cases involving construction and skilled trades jobs. - The organization says compensation for asbestos-related lung cancer can potentially reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the case.

What happened: - The Mesothelioma Victims Center urged families of former construction or skilled trades workers diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma to call 866-714-6466 for access to top lawyers. - The group described itself as an advocate, not a law firm, and said its services are free. - The organization pointed families to More information for additional details.

The details: - The Mesothelioma Victims Center says it has helped people affected by asbestos exposure for more than two decades. - The organization says its priority is helping people who developed lung cancer or mesothelioma because of workplace asbestos exposure pursue the best possible compensation results. - The group highlighted jobs that may have involved asbestos exposure, including carpenters, construction workers, plumbers, electricians, insulators, roofers, welders, boiler technicians, machinists, pipefitters and mechanics. - The organization said asbestos was widely used in construction and industrial settings because of its heat resistance and durability. - Workers could encounter asbestos in buildings, machinery, pipes, insulation, boilers and other equipment. - A worker did not need to handle asbestos directly to be exposed, depending on the workplace and job duties. - The organization said exposure could happen while working around asbestos-containing materials or nearby employees who handled them. - The CDC has identified states with comparatively high mesothelioma incidence, including Maine, Massachusetts, California, Texas, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana, Washington and Oregon. - The group said a person’s current state of residence may differ from the state where asbestos exposure occurred. - The workplace, employer, products involved and dates of exposure can all matter in evaluating potential compensation. - The organization said the average age of a person diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos exposure lung cancer in the U.S. is about 72. - Families may need records on prior employers, occupations, job sites, military service and possible exposure to help attorneys assess claims or other compensation sources.

Between the lines: - The message is aimed at families who may not realize a lung cancer diagnosis can also be tied to asbestos exposure and possible compensation. - By stressing construction and trades jobs, the organization is pointing to occupations where asbestos risk may have been overlooked for years. - The nationwide list of high-incidence states suggests exposure and diagnosis are not limited to one region, which can complicate where a claim is researched and filed.

What's next: - Families dealing with a diagnosis are being urged to seek professional legal guidance based on their specific circumstances. - The Mesothelioma Victims Center says it can provide information and direct access to attorneys experienced in mesothelioma and asbestos-exposure lung cancer cases. - Families seeking help can call 866-714-6466 or visit the organization's website.