Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be around 234,580 new cases of lung cancer and 125,070 lung cancer deaths in 2024 alone.
While most people think of lung cancer as being caused by smoking, a significant number of cases have been linked to asbestos exposure.
Sadly, it’s possible to get lung cancer from asbestos. Between 8,000 and 10,000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Throughout most of the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in construction and manufacturing. However, many asbestos-related companies hid the dangers linked to their products to make a profit — all while millions of innocent workers got sick.
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. If you were exposed to asbestos decades ago and later developed lung cancer, you may still be able to pursue compensation from an asbestos lung cancer settlement.
Find out if Sokolove Law can help you or your loved ones take legal action against the asbestos-related companies responsible for your cancer.
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How Does Asbestos Cause Lung Cancer?
When products that contain asbestos are moved, disturbed, or broken down, microscopic asbestos fibers can become airborne.
If these fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can get stuck inside the lungs and cause inflammation, irritation, and irreversible damage. As the scarring progresses, cells may become cancerous, causing lung cancer tumors to grow 20-50 years later.
Those who experienced regular or high levels of asbestos exposure are most at risk for developing lung cancer, especially employees in certain high-risk occupations.
Mechanics, construction workers, and members of the U.S. military were often surrounded by clouds of asbestos dust at their jobs. However, workers were not the only ones in danger of getting sick.
Microscopic asbestos fibers could settle onto a worker’s clothing and be released into the air at home when they changed or did laundry, exposing their family members as well. This is known as secondhand asbestos exposure.
What Lung Cancer Is Caused By Asbestos?
Any form of lung cancer can be due to asbestos exposure. Regardless of your specific lung cancer diagnosis, there’s a chance that asbestos played a role in the development of your disease.
Types of lung cancer related to asbestos can include:
- Adenocarcinoma
- Adenosquamous carcinoma
- Combined small cell carcinoma
- Large cell carcinoma
- Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC)
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Sarcomatoid carcinoma
- Small cell carcinoma
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
- Squamous cell carcinoma
In addition to lung cancer, anyone exposed to asbestos is also at risk of developing other serious illnesses, like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
What Are the Chances of Getting Lung Cancer from Asbestos?
Approximately 37.5% of occupational lung cancer cases involve asbestos exposure, according to the Journal of Epidemiology.
The chances of getting lung cancer from asbestos exposure depend on multiple factors, including the duration and intensity of exposure.
Workers who were regularly exposed to high levels of asbestos dust may be at a greater risk of developing lung cancer. However, even low levels of asbestos exposure may be dangerous, as just a single fiber can lead to a cancer diagnosis decades later.
A history of exposure to both asbestos and cigarette smoke is another factor that can make someone more likely to develop lung cancer.
Lung Cancer & Smoking
Lung cancer from asbestos may go unreported because some doctors attribute the cancer solely to a history of smoking, according to the EWG.
Nonetheless, asbestos can worsen the damage caused by cigarette smoke, significantly elevating the likelihood of developing lung cancer in smokers.
Exposure to asbestos can increase a smoker’s risk of lung cancer by more than 100 times, according to the European Respiratory Review.
However, even individuals with no prior history of smoking can develop lung cancer from asbestos exposure.
If you were diagnosed with lung cancer, mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related cancer, you may still qualify for compensation — regardless of your smoking habits.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to see if you may be eligible for a lung cancer payout. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Asbestos Lung Cancer Symptoms
Unfortunately, the symptoms of asbestos-related lung cancer can often go undiagnosed for years or even decades.
Many people who were exposed to asbestos on the job or at home decades ago are only now beginning to experience the health consequences of that exposure.
Symptoms of lung cancer from asbestos include:
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
If you are experiencing these symptoms and believe you may have been exposed to asbestos, talk with your doctor immediately.
Early detection of this illness can be critical for extending your asbestos lung cancer life expectancy with treatment.
Justice for Lung Cancer Due to Asbestos
Many asbestos-related companies knew their products could cause cancer, but they hid this information from the public to protect their profits.
As a result, we may be able to help you file a lawsuit and pursue lung cancer compensation that can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
In one case, we secured $1 Million for a master electrician in New York who developed lung cancer due to asbestos.
If your loved one has already passed away from lung cancer, you may be able to file an asbestos claim after their death to hold the companies responsible for their illness accountable.
“Because it's not your fault and it should never have happened to you, you have a right to make a claim against the asbestos companies who knew what was going to happen and did nothing about it.”
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law
Get Help After an Asbestos Lung Cancer Diagnosis
At Sokolove Law, our asbestos lung cancer lawyers are here to support patients and their loved ones after a lung cancer diagnosis.
Over the last 45+ years, we’ve secured more than $5.5 Billion for families impacted by asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer.
There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team, so you can get the legal help you need without facing any financial risk.
You don’t have to navigate this difficult time alone. Contact our law firm now to see how we may be able to help you after an asbestos lung cancer diagnosis.
