In an ongoing expose regarding the San Joaquin County and Stockon asbestos public health threat, attorney Michael Mandelbrot of the Asbestos Legal Center of San Francisco, who represents mesothelioma patients in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area, today announced more locations where documentation exists that individuals were exposed to asbestos.
“Our office has reviewed materials indicating that workers engaged in the construction and maintenance of numerous public buildings in San Joaquin County, may have been exposed to asbestos. Efforts should be made to inform these workers that the exposure may have occurred, and that asbestos exposure has been linked in the causation of mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis, so that they may take appropriate steps to protect their health.”
Mr. Mandelbrot’s lists includes but is not limited to Stockton City Hall, the Stockton Civic Center, San Joaquin County Jail located in Stockton, the San Joaquin County Courthouse, Edison High School, Lincoln High School, and the San Joaquin County Administration Center.
“Asbestos located in schools is particularly troubling, as thousands of students who later attend the school may be exposed to asbestos containing materials that are degrading and releasing asbestos into the air”, continued Mr. Mandelbrot. “Unfortunately, a person exposed to asbestos in high school, will not learn whether that exposure is going to cause lung cancer or mesothelioma until decades later.”
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lining of lungs, chest, or abdomen.
There is no recognized cure for malignant pleural mesothelioma. It has been reported that individuals diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma typically have a six to nine month survival rate.
Recently, in response to disturbing statistics that residents of San Joaquin County and the Stockton area are being diagnosed with mesothelioma at a significantly higher age adjusted incidence rate as compared to Californians as whole, Mr. Mandelbrot and the Asbestos Legal Center have been working to raise awareness.
“Although there is no cure for malignant pleural mesothelioma, there are interventional therapies that can be curative for non-mesothelioma lung cancers. The early detection of lung cancer improves significantly the odds regarding whether many therapies are successful. Our hope is that our work to raise awareness of the asbestos public health threat in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area will save lives.”
Individuals who believe that they have been exposed to asbestos are encouraged to report the exposure to their physician. If their physician believes the latency period from the date of exposure is sufficient, in combination with the presentation of physical symptoms indicative of early disease, the physician can order various diagnostic tests, ranging from chest x-rays, to spiral CT-scans. Individuals are also encouraged to report to their physicians any smoking history that they may have in addition to their asbestos exposure history. Smoking increases the risk that a person who has been exposed to asbestos may develop lung cancer.
For those who have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, compensation set aside in bankruptcy trusts from companies that mined, distributed, and manufactured asbestos containing material is available to pay for
medical bills, and their pain and suffering. Moreover, many patients who suffer from asbestos caused diseases, and their families, file lawsuits to gain compensation in the Court system.
If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, the Asbestos Legal Center is now providing free consulations at 1-800-970-3878.