(800) 369-0899
(215) 569-4000
Contact Us Today
During the holidays, families often exchange gifts in order to show their love and appreciation. Many parents, aunts, and grandparents buy gifts for the children in their family during this time of year. Although this is an innocent exchange, some of the gifts that family members buy for children may contain asbestos. Asbestos is dangerous, and the exposure can lead to a variety of health complications later in life. These health complications can leave both a financial and emotional burden on a family due to medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If one believes that their family member was exposed to asbestos, one should contact a skilled lawyer to explore their legal options. A lawyer will help their client obtain compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Asbestos can lead to a variety of diseases when it is ingested or inhaled, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the pleura, peritoneum, heart, and testicles. Mesothelioma is a cancer with a very poor prognosis. In fact, many patients do not survive five years after their initial diagnosis. However, there are several treatment options for mesothelioma that are available to extend a patient’s lifespan. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and combination therapies.
Many people who are exposed to asbestos develop mesothelioma decades later; therefore, it may be difficult for one to trace their exposure. It is important to know the risks of asbestos exposure in certain environments, such as old buildings. During holiday shopping, parents may buy a lot of presents, and it may be difficult to remember what to look for when a toy is recalled. Therefore, parents should write out a list of the toys that they bought for their children and store them somewhere for safekeeping. This list can be used as a reference if recalls are issued.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include:
Although asbestos is a dangerous fiber, it is sometimes found in products that are marketed for children, including cosmetic products. The reason asbestos is often found in children’s cosmetics is because many powder products include talc. Talc is also a mineral, just like asbestos. Asbestos frequently cohabitates with talc in soil, making it difficult to distinguish one mineral from the other. Since it is difficult to distinguish, a lot of children’s cosmetics contain both talc and asbestos, which puts children at risk for asbestos exposure.
There are a few other products that contain both talc and asbestos. Another common product is baby powder. Baby powder is often used on children to absorb moisture and prevent rashes. However, this also puts children at risk for asbestos exposure if they inhale or ingest the mixture.
More products that may contain asbestos include children’s toys. It is difficult to determine which toys are dangerous, so it is important for parents to do their research before purchasing them, and they should look for any toy recalls. Crayons may also contain asbestos fibers. As always, parents and family members should do their research and only buy from reputable companies.
Another product that may be given to a family member, regardless of their age, is an antique ornament or decoration that contains fake snow. A lot of the fake snow used in decorations contains asbestos. This is also true for fake snow or frost on wreaths or other older decorations. Similarly, some products, including tablecloths, Christmas tree skirts, and mats, may contain asbestos because asbestos was commonly used to fireproof items. Those who are unsure if a product contains asbestos should throw the item out just in case. This prevents the possibility of one inhaling or ingesting any dangerous asbestos fibers.
Some ways to prevent buying products that contain asbestos:
These are just a few tips to prevent parents or family members from purchasing items that contain asbestos. It is fun to purchase presents for the holidays, but it is important to research a product before purchasing it, especially if it is for a child.
Most people are exposed to asbestos through work, but children can still face exposure because of old school buildings and products that have asbestos. Mesothelioma is a cancer with a long latency period. This latency period means that most patients develop their symptoms decades later. This means that children are not usually at risk for developing mesothelioma; however, this does not mean that they will not develop mesothelioma in their adult years. For this reason, it is especially important to prevent children from the dangers of asbestos exposure.
Another reason why asbestos exposure for children is dangerous is because doctors usually avoid testing children for the disease. This is because testing for asbestos requires the use of an X-ray, which is also harmful to one’s health.
To prevent a child from being exposed to asbestos, it is crucial that parents research the environment their child resides in. For instance, they should ensure that their child’s school is taking the right steps to prevent harmful asbestos exposure. Parents should also do their research before their holiday shopping to avoid purchasing a toy or product that contains asbestos fibers.
If one is exposed to asbestos, they should contact a qualified lawyer. Asbestos is a mineral that causes a variety of diseases, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. A lawyer can help a family trace the exposure history and take legal action against any guilty parties. This can help a family receive compensation for their child’s illness. Contacting a lawyer also allows a family and their ill loved one to focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and spending time together instead of a long legal battle.
If you or a loved one faced asbestos exposure from a holiday purchase, you need to contact one of our reputable Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler. Our lawyers understand how difficult a mesothelioma diagnosis is on a family. We can help you receive compensation for medical bills and other financial losses. For a free consultation, complete our online form or call us at 215-569-4000. Located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Delaware County, Chester County, and Philadelphia County.