What Construction Workers Who Helped Rebuild After Hurricane Katrina Need To Know About Mesothelioma Cancer

The men and women who worked to help rebuild the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina worked in difficult, and often dangerous, conditions for months on end. One of the potential risks they encountered is exposure to old building materials, including asbestos.

The important thing that these workers should keep in mind is that mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer, and that asbestos exposure during the Gulf Coast cleanup doesn’t automatically mean that they are destined to develop any diseases linked to it. At the same time, because mesothelioma has an incubation period of anywhere from 10-40 years, we’re approaching the time period where some individuals may start to become sick.

People who know or suspect they’ve had exposure to asbestos should have conversations with their doctors about mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-linked illnesses. Not all family physicians have seen mesothelioma, so ask your doctor to become informed and know what to look for.

Early mesothelioma symptoms are easily mistaken for more common complaints or the aches and pains of aging. When your doctor knows what to watch for, you stand a much better chance of receiving an early diagnosis should you develop mesothelioma.

If you are concerned about asbestos exposure based on your time as a construction worker who helped rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, talk to your doctor.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after the reconstruction effort, The Gertler Law Firm can help ensure that you have access to top quality medical options and all the resources you need to access them, within Louisiana or elsewhere. Call us today at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation with an experienced Louisiana mesothelioma attorney.