Many pipe workers who lived and worked in California during the construction boom of the 60s and 70s are at risk for contracting the aggressive and fatal cancer known as mesothelioma, especially those who worked with cement pipe for water lines. The Reason? the pipe they worked with—cutting, sawing, breaking, moving, etc.—contained asbestos fibers. Much of the asbestos, often more than half, was crocidolite asbestos, sometimes called “blue asbestos” and considered the most dangerous form. And many of the workers who worked with this substance also brought it home as dust on their clothing, thus exposing their spouses and children.

Today, more and more California cement pipe workers and their families are being diagnosed with mesothelioma, the signature cancer from asbestos exposure. Anyone who worked with cement pipe in the U.S. before 1975 almost certainly had exposure to large amounts of asbestos.

Substantial compensation may be available to help individuals who develop mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos. But pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit must be done with care, and you should talk with an attorney experienced in asbestos litigation who understands the ins and outs of the case law and can help patients and their families reach a successful outcome.

Each state may have different limitations on when you must file a lawsuit. California law requires individuals to file a mesothelioma lawsuit within one year from the date of a person receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma. If a person does not file a lawsuit within this time, they will be forever barred from pursuing their case. Consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn about your options.

So if you were a cement pipe worker—especially if you worked with pipe manufactured by the makers Kubota or Voss—keep a close watch on your health. A good source of information about mesothelioma, treatment options and the legal rights of persons and their families with this disease is www.mesothelioma-advice.org. Find an experienced doctor who understands the link between asbestos and lung diseases and who is willing to evaluate you and/or your family members thoroughly when you have any respiratory problems. You continue to be at risk for developing the disease for the rest of your life after the exposure.

And if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, be sure to learn about your legal rights.