We moved into a new house a few years ago. My wife was diagnosed with Cancer from Asbestos. What legal action can we take?

Asbestos, a mineral fiber used in insulation, roofing, and other materials found in homes and vehicles, is notoriously detrimental to the health of people who are exposed to the fibers for significant amount of time.  Although humans can be around a small amount of asbestos with minimal risk of developing symptoms, exposure to a large amount can lead to several deadly diseases:  lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, cancer of the larynx, and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.  Symptoms of asbestos exposure do not always manifest immediately; it may take 20 to 30 years for fibers lodged in the lungs to create a health risk.

It is often difficult to determine if material in your home contains asbestos, especially if the material was installed before the requirement that asbestos-containing materials be clearly labeled.  Asbestos material that is not releasing fibers is not a big threat to the people in the home, so if you think something in your home contains asbestos, you should not move or repair it yourself.  Inspect the area regularly for tears or holes that may allow fibers to escape into the air.  Some products to look for are steam pipes, boilers, furnace ducts, resilient floor tiles, the backing on vinyl sheet flooring, cement sheet, millboard, paper used as insulation, door gaskets in certain furnaces and stoves, spray-on soundproofing or decorative material, patching and joint compounds, textured paints, and asbestos cement roofing, shingles, and siding.

If you find something that looks like it could have asbestos in it and it appears to be damaged, a professional should come and take a sample to test.  You should not take the sample yourself.  If the professional determines that there is asbestos in the product and the fibers may have been released into the air, you should consult a local asbestos law attorney.  The attorney can help you find a doctor to determine the cause of your wife’s cancer and whether it could have been caused by the asbestos.  If the asbestos may have been at fault, the attorney can then help you plan your course of action.