Asbestosis is a lung disease that is completely distinct and separate from lung cancer. It is not necessary to have asbestosis, or be diagnosed with asbestosis, in order to develop work-related lung cancer. Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer, even without an underlying diagnosis of asbestosis.
Railroad workers with asbestos-related cancer can bring lawsuits against the railroad for exposing them to asbestos without warnings or adequate safety protection. The railroad often tries to argue that asbestosis is necessary for a diagnosis of asbestos related lung cancer. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have all stated that asbestos exposure can be responsible for cancer without a diagnosis of asbestosis.
If you or a loved one have asbestos-related cancer and would like legal information, call Doran & Murphy at 1-800-374-2144 or contact us through email.