Asbestos & Mesothelioma
The dangers posed by asbestos exposure have been known to manufacturers and sellers of asbestos products since the early ’20s. Fearing the impact on their profits, manufacturers and sellers of asbestos products suppressed and hid these dangers for many decades. Even today, some asbestos-containing products are still available for sale and use in the United States. Asbestos-containing materials such as joint compounds, brakes, insulation materials, gaskets and talc have for decades caused disease including, but not limited to, mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.
While there are regulations and restrictions in place to protect individuals from its most harmful effects, those who have prolonged exposure to asbestos are at increased risk of developing mesothelioma and other related diseases. This occurs when asbestos fibers become airborne, are inhaled, and become embedded in the tissue surrounding the lungs, heart, and abdomen.
Mesothelioma is a latent disease. This means that in most cases its symptoms and the diseases it causes do not manifest until 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure occurred. Because of this, the statute of limitations on asbestos-related cases is typically 2-3 years from the date you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. See below for a complete list of statutes from state to state.
State | Personal Injury SOL | Wrongful Death SOL |
Alabama | 2 years | 2 years |
Alaska | 2 years | 2 years |
Arizona | 2 years | 2 years |
Arkansas | 3 years | 3 years |
California | 1 year | 1 year |
Colorado | 2 years | 2 years |
Connecticut | 3 years | 3 years |
Delaware | 2 years | 2 years |
Florida | 4 years | 2 years |
Georgia | 2 years | 2 years |
Hawaii | 2 years | 2 years |
Idaho | 2 years | 2 years |
Illinois | 2 years | 2 years |
Indiana | 2 years | 2 years |
Iowa | 2 years | 2 years |
Kansas | 2 years | 2 years |
Kentucky | 1 year | 1 year |
Louisiana | 1 year | 1 year |
Maine | 6 years | 2 years |
Maryland | 3 years | 3 years |
Massachusetts | 3 years | 3 years |
Michigan | 3 years | 3 years |
Minnesota | 4 years | 3 years |
Mississippi | 3 years | 3 years |
Missouri | 5 years | 3 years |
Montana | 3 years | 3 years |
Nebraska | 4 years | 2 years |
Nevada | 2 years | 2 years |
New Hampshire | 3 years | 3 years |
New Jersey | 2 years | 2 years |
New Mexico | 3 years | 3 years |
New York | 3 years | 2 years |
North Carolina | 3 years | 2 years |
North Dakota | 6 years | 2 years |
Ohio | 2 years | 2 years |
Oklahoma | 2 years | 2 years |
Oregon | 3 years | 3 years |
Pennsylvania | 2 years | 2 years |
Rhode Island | 3 years | 3 years |
South Carolina | 3 years | 3 years |
South Dakota | 3 years | 3 years |
Tennessee | 1 year | 1 year |
Texas | 2 years | 2 years |
Utah | 3 years | 2 years |
Vermont | 3 years | 2 years |
Virginia | 2 years | 2 years |
Washington | 3 years | 3 years |
Washington D.C. | 3 years | 2 years |
West Virginia | 2 years | 2 years |
Wisconsin | 3 years | 3 years |
Wyoming | 4 years | 2 years |
Because asbestos was so often used in manufacturing, construction and industry, people from all walks of life were often exposed. Jobs that routinely brought workers into contact with asbestos include:
- Construction workers
- Auto mechanics
- Firefighters
- Shipbuilders
- Teachers
- Miners
Symptoms of mesothelioma often include: shortness of breath, chest pains, dry coughing, and fatigue. If you’ve experienced any of these and believe they may be due to asbestos exposure, speak to a doctor and then find an experienced attorney. Asbestos has affected thousands of individuals, and in the wake of these cases, companies have created special funds to care for those diagnosed with mesothelioma. A Fears Nachawati attorney can assist you in getting the care you need.