Asbestos News: Philadelphia Asbestos Verdict $25.2 Million The jury in the case of Baccus v. Crane Co. recently awarded James Baccus’ Estate $25.2 million in compensatory and punitive damages.; Navy Firefighter Awarded $2.6 Million for Asbestos Related Cancer David Fortier was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October of 2006, and died in June of 2008. He filed a lawsuit shortly after his diagnosis, but he did not live to see his case decided.; Asbestos Plaintiff’s Body Subpoenaed, Taken from Graveyard Just Before Burial Harold St. John's body was never laid to rest when a court issued a subpoena for his body to collect tissue samples. Chrysler, one of the defendants in the lawsuit, maintains that the proceedings were necessary to obtain additional information about the way Mr. St. John died.

Asbestos Airborne Fibers Inhaled into the Lungs

Asbestos fibers are needle-like, and about 150 times thinner than a human hair. Short enough that 10,000 fibers lined up would only reach the length of an inch. They can float for days in the air and not settle on anything. When breathed into the lungs, however, they can dangerously lodge in the tiny air sacs at the end of our respiratory system.

Although asbestos fibers are valued for their durability and resistance to heat, water, and several chemicals, they easily crumble when disturbed. The fibers can fracture into microscopic particles that become airborne and are inhaled by unknowing victims. Fibers can also be ingested, contributing to peritoneal mesothelioma.

Two of three cleavage planes are weak

When asbestos cools and crystallizes, its polymeric molecules line up parallel with each other and form oriented crystal lattices. These crystals have three cleavage planes similar to other minerals and gemstones. However, in asbestos, two cleavage planes are much weaker than the third, making it possible for the material to break apart easily.

It triggers an inflammatory reaction in the lungs

When asbestos is inhaled, its fibers may reach the lungs' air sacs (alveoli), which serve as the body's mechanism for transferring oxygen to the blood. By being lodged in the alveoli, the asbestos fibers trigger an inflammatory reaction in the lungs. Additionally, certain cells—macrophages—ingest the asbestos fibers and signal the structural precursors of body tissue (fibroblasts) to deposit connective tissue in the affected areas of the lung. This process results in excess fibrous connective tissue, or scar tissue.

Scar tissue in the lungs often causes the alveolar walls to thicken, reducing total lung capacity and the transfer of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the blood. This may lead to loss of lung function and heart failure.

People who suffer from asbestosis are also at risk for developing mesothelioma and certain lung cancers. There is no cure for asbestosis. However, treatments are available to ease the symptoms, such as:

• oxygen therapy for relief of dyspnea
• aerosol inhalation medications that may thin lung secretions draining of excess pleural fluid from the chest cavity

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with an illness caused by exposure to asbestos and want to discuss your rights with a professional, please fill out the FREE case evaluation and a member of Seeger Weiss's staff will contact you. Get the representation you need from lawyers who care.

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