Artist Exposed to Asbestos, Dies of Mesothelioma

Occupational exposure to asbestos is common among mesothelioma victims. Victims exposed to asbestos at the workplace are usually veterans of heavy industry, such as shipbuilders, mechanics, roughnecks, and builders. Often, during their careers these workers used products with fibrous asbestos or manipulated products that contained asbestos, thus causing the carcinogenic fibers to become airborne.

James Howie's case of occupational asbestos is unique. An artist from Scotland, Mr. Howie contracted asbestos as a result of a rare artistic technique. In order to create the distinctive landscape images for which his work is known, Mr. Howie sanded down layers of paint that he had previously applied. In doing so, however, he unwittingly aerosolized asbestos fibers, inhaling them. Mr. Howie died recently from pulmonary embolism, a blocked artery in the lungs, a fatal complication of his mesothelioma.

Fears | Nachawati understands that mesothelioma is not a simply a "shipbuilder's disease," but a cancer that affects a wide-variety of Americans every year, including artists like Mr. Howie, spouses of workers, neighbors of construction sites, and unsuspecting homeowners. If your doctor tells you that you might have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis, talk to our legal experts. We can help you! Just call 1.866.705.7584 or email info@fnlawfirm.com .