In recent years, national attention has been focused on helping those suffering from Mesothelioma to receive financial compensation. Much of the reason for this is that medical advancement has made it easier to detect Mesothelioma. The legal issues involving those suffering from Mesothelioma span over 80 years with some of the first law suits, issued by personal injury attorneys, arising in 1929. The danger of working around asbestos has been expressed as far back as the 1890’s.

No Protection under Federal Law There are no federal laws in place to govern financial compensation for sufferers of Mesothelioma and the effect this disease has on a victims long term health. With the thousands of pending law suits, courts are back logged with cases of many sufferers who have expended all their money, and energy fighting for compensation. Some estimates indicate that the amount spent on legal cost has reached into the billions of dollars. Unfortunately for many sufferers of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, all the money, and time spent has yielded little to no results.

Science Discover Link Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma Most doctors and scientist have agreed that Mesothelioma was linked to Asbestos. However, they had little if any proof until the 1960s. An article published by medical experts in 1960 reported that 30 cases of people in South Africa with mesothelioma had all been exposed to asbestos. Two years later, McNulty published an article regarding several mine workers in Australia who worked in an asbestos mine from 1948-1950 had developed mesothelioma which eventually led to cancer.

Will Workers Receive the Justice They Deserve? The aforementioned cases highlight the dangers asbestos exposure and the lack of governmental support for those suffering from mesothelioma and asbestosis. The necessity for financial compensation cannot be overstated. Workers diagnoses with mesothelioma are not able to work, and therefore they and their families suffer great financial loss. The workers contracted mesothelioma because their employers did not provide them with the necessary protective equipment to work safely with asbestos. Much of the fault lies with the former employer and their negligence.