Mesothelioma Claims Its Youngest Victim – Raises Concerns About Airborne Asbestos Particles

A young woman in the UK lost her battle against mesothelioma cancer and the mystery as to how she was exposed to the dangerous cancer-causing asbestos material remains. Before her death, Leigh Carlisle commented that as a youngster walking to grade school, she would sometimes cut across a field and knew that there were workers handling and cutting asbestos sheets, but she had no idea that merely walking within close proximity of these actions would cause her to inhale the asbestos materials that would ultimately lead to her decline.

Airborne Asbestos Fibers

It is known that by working within close proximity of asbestos and the ultimate inhalation of asbestos fibers is dangerous, but the mystery as to how Leigh inhaled the asbestos fibers while walking to school more than two decades ago is still a mystery. There are many documented cases in which workers developed the deadly cancer, but many of those workers were in a closed or semi-closed environment. In Leigh's case, she was outdoors walking through an open field. This brings up the question of just how far away people must be from a source of asbestos in order to avoid risk of inhalation.

Leigh’s speculation that she was exposed to the asbestos fibers while walking through a builder’s yard on her way to school has produced many renewed concerns about asbestos and the danger these fibers present to people who are within their proximity. Researchers surmise that particles from asbestos fibers can be carried by air over long distances, which causes a danger to those that live within close proximity to a factory or mill that uses asbestos for manufacture. However, researchers are not yet sure exactly how far asbestos fibers can be carried by air.

Although the exact cause of Leigh's exposure to asbestos is not yet known, some theorize that the exposure could be linked to her grade school and the composition of its building. As described by the National Union of Teachers, this issue is a “ticking time bomb”.

Mesothelioma cancer attacks a thin membrane coating within the lungs and abdomen and is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. In most cases, it usually takes more than twenty years to develop.

Childhood Exposure to Asbestos

Leigh Carlisle was twenty-eight years old at the time of her death and is the youngest known victim of this deadly cancer. She was unaware of her disease until she began to have abdominal pains a few years ago. It is estimated that nearly two thousand people die from this cancer each year in the UK alone. And many fear that this number is set to rise further due to the fact that many were exposed to asbestos as a child without any knowledge.

Leigh's case is a stark reminder that many children could have been exposed to asbestos without any realization of the danger. And due to the fact that some schools were insulated with asbestos, schoolteachers and school administrators could have been exposed as well. The exact number of people who were exposed is not yet known.

Asbestos Used in Schools

Leigh’s somber story has highlighted the many cases of nearly two hundred school workers who have died or are suffering very serious illness as a result of asbestos that was used in schools. And the problem of possible exposure to children and school workers still exists today. Unfortunately, it is estimated that nearly thirteen thousand schools contain asbestos still.

Victims of asbestos have worked to increase awareness of its danger. Tireless work by Michael Lees, whose wife died from mesothelioma cancer after teaching at a school which contained asbestos, has highlighted the problem and made the public more aware of the severe extent of the problem. Mr. Lees works towards the goal of increased government protection for school workers, teachers and children from exposure to asbestos fibers.

What is Known About Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma develops as a result of exposure to asbestos fibers and dust at high levels over long periods of time. And the cancerous disease usually takes nearly twenty to forty years to develop from the time of exposure.

Consult With a Professional

If you or a loved one is concerned about exposure to asbestos fibers, it is recommended that you consult with a health care professional right away.

And concern about picking a qualified attorney should not be an additional stress during a time like this. If you are considering selecting an attorney for your mesothelioma case, experience is crucial. For those that are looking for a mesothelioma attorney, contact Tom Thurlow and Associates in Houston for a free consultation.

Motorcycle Accidents Increase Nationwide

Due to the increase in gasoline prices within recent months, the number of people taking to the road on their motorcycles is increasing nationwide. And due to the increased number of motorcycle riders on the highways of the United States, the number of fatal accidents, unfortunately, is increasing because motorcycle accidents tend to be more serious since motorcycles offer insufficient protection for riders. Even if the accident is a mild one, the injuries that result from a motorcycle accident tend to be more serious.

Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Thurlow and Associates Law Firm has been helping victims of motorcycle accidents for over thirty years. Thomas Thurlow understands the dynamics of motorcycle accidents and the legal system. If you are looking for a motorcycle accident attorney, contact the Thurlow Law Firm today for a detailed analysis of your case. Dial 713-Call Tom for more information.

18 Wheeler Accidents

Out of nowhere, an 18 wheeler can cause catastrophic damage to an automobile and its passengers, but there is an attorney who can help by offering a free case evaluation for victims of truck accidents. Every year there are nearly half a million 18 wheeler accidents in the United States. In fact, virtually every one in eight traffic fatalities are due to a truck accident on the highway.

Truck accidents are usually due to several causes such as blind spots, brake failure, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or just careless driving habits. And the innocent victims of these accidents are left to pick up the pieces of their lives and try to return to a normal life, while the company responsible for their injuries may continue to hire irresponsible truck drivers who can later cause the same type of accident.

There are many laws that are designed to protect riders in automobiles who are victims of a truck or big rig accident. If you or a loved one is suffering due to the negligence of the driver of a truck or 18 wheeler, there are steps that can be taken to help you. Don't delay and contact an attorney who is experienced in the field of these types of accidents.

Contact an Experienced Trucking Accidents Lawyer

With over thirty years experience helping victims of catastrophic automobile and truck accidents, the Thurlow Law Firm can offer you a free case evaluation.

Dial 712-Call-Tom today for help regarding your accident.

Mesothelioma/Asbestos Attorney

Attorneys Thurlow & Associates, P.C. continue to pursue mesothelioma cases throughout the country. The firm is located in Houston, Texas and can offer a preliminary consultation to clients located anywhere in the United States.

Brief History of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a material present in many work environments such as construction, ship building, automotive and other manufacturing industries. Individuals with a history of extended asbestos exposure are at the highest risk for developing malignant mesothelioma.

Exposure to Asbestos

Even a small exposure to cancer-causing asbestos can result in malignant mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma has a latency of up to forty years. Many individuals previously exposed to asbestos are only now displaying symptoms, so the average age of mesothelioma victims is between 50 and 70 years.

Asbestos consists of tiny fibers which can find their way to the outside lining of the lung and damages the cells that pleura is made of. These fibers can also be carried on clothing, which makes them dangerous not only to the person exposed, but also to family members

Symptoms

Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, respiratory distress and a lasting cough and pneumonia. In addition, symptoms are often mistaken for less serious ailments, and many patients show no signs at all. Diagnosis is usually made by chest x-rays and CT scans.

Seek Medical Attention

Anyone with concerns should seek medical help.

Legal Consultation

Call 713-CALL TOM for a free consultation.

Find a Lawyer to Handle Your Case

Choosing a mesothelioma lawyer can be a daunting task. There are so many alternatives and many resources that offer resources to find and evaluate a law firm. You can search on the Internet using google and the keyword "find a lawyer". We recommend the use of the Thurlow Law Firm in Houston, Texas if you are looking for Mesothelioma attorney.

Houston Law Firm

The Thurlow Law Firm was established in 1961 and Mr. Thurlow has been handling litigation for over fourty years. He is licensed to practice in the State of Texas and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Dial 713-Call-Tom for a professional evaluation of your case.