Baron & Budd the cornerstone donor of the International Mesothelioma Program

                                                                                   
Asbestos is the generic name for six naturally occurring minerals that have been used in commercial products for their strength, flexibility, low electrical conductivity, and resistance to heat and chemicals. Because of these properties, there are a wide variety of commercial asbestos applications:

• electrical wiring and switching components
• fire retardant insulation for buildings  building materials like drywall, joint compound, roofing shingles
• HVAC insulation
• Automotive gaskets and friction materials (brake pads, clutch linings)
• Boiler insulation, pump gaskets and packing materials.

Mesothelioma is a dreaded cancer that is nearly always caused by just one factor: asbestos exposure. It's an unfortunate truth that millions of Americans and people all over the world have been poisoned by toxic levels of asbestos, putting them at risk for mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other deadly diseases that are directly caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Patients with mesothelioma suffer from malignant cells proliferating in the mesothelium, a type of protective tissue that encases our bodies vital organs. The cancer’s attack on the mesothelium wreaks havoc in the patient’s body, causing tumors, swelling, the accumulation of fluid in the chest and abdominal cavities, inflammation, and a general breakdown of many organ systems. Sadly, mesothelioma has a poor prognosis; most cases are very difficult to treat effectively and almost all cases are terminal.

Exposure to asbestos can cause deadly and debilitating disease. It can also cause confusion over the legal remedies available for workers or consumers. "Do I have a workers' compensation claim?" "Should I file for Social Security?" "What about my union disability pension?" "Is the manufacturer of asbestos products liable for my injury?" "Will my recovery of one benefit reduce my recovery of another?"

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that can be separated into fibers. The fibers are strong, durable, and resistant to heat and fire. They are also long, thin and flexible, so that they can even be woven into cloth.