Mesothelioma in Women: An Overlooked Pennsylvania Story

Key Takeaways

• Mesothelioma is most often associated with men in heavy industry, but women in Pennsylvania were also exposed to asbestos, frequently without knowing it.
• Many women were exposed secondhand, through handling contaminated work clothing brought home by a husband, father, or son.
• Other pathways included living near industrial plants or asbestos manufacturing sites, and working in older schools, hospitals, and office buildings with deteriorating insulation or flooring.
• Some women also worked directly in factories and industrial settings where asbestos exposure was common.
• Symptoms may not appear for decades and often mimic other illnesses: shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, chest or abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
• Because their exposure histories do not fit the expected pattern, women are more likely to be misdiagnosed or dismissed, which delays both treatment and legal options.
• Women diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease may be entitled to compensation through personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, or wrongful death claims.
• Asbestos trust funds were established by companies that went bankrupt from asbestos liability, and they allow claims without a lengthy court process.
• The Halpern Law Firm reviews exposure history, determines trust fund eligibility, files claims at no upfront cost, and helps clients access medical and support resources.

While mesothelioma is most commonly associated with men working in heavy industries, many women in Pennsylvania have also been exposed to asbestos, often without knowing it. For decades, women were put at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases not only through their own employment, but through secondary exposure, handling the contaminated work clothing of family members or working in buildings where asbestos was present. There are cases of mesothelioma in women from both direct and secondary exposure.

This lesser-known form of exposure has tragically affected thousands of women across the state, especially in regions with deep industrial roots like Bethlehem, Allentown, and Pittsburgh. 

How Were Women Exposed? 

In most cases, women were not employed in factories or shipyards, the high-risk environments typically associated with asbestos exposure. Instead, they were exposed in the following ways: 

• Washing or shaking out asbestos-laden work clothes brought home by husbands, fathers, or sons 

• Living near industrial plants or asbestos manufacturing sites 

• Working in older schools, hospitals, or office buildings containing deteriorating asbestos insulation or flooring 

Inhaling even small amounts of asbestos fibers over time can lead to serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. That being the case, women could have worked in factories or industrial job sites in which asbestos exposure was common. 

Symptoms of Mesothelioma in Women 

Like men, women exposed to asbestos may not develop symptoms for decades. Once symptoms appear, they often mimic other common illnesses, which can delay diagnosis. 

Common signs include: 

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 

• Persistent dry cough 

• Chest or abdominal pain 

• Fatigue or general weakness 

• Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss 

Because of their atypical exposure histories, many women are misdiagnosed or dismissed, leading to delays in treatment and legal recourse. It is important that the instances of mesothelioma in women are recognized so that a timely diagnosis can be made.

Are Women Eligible for Asbestos Compensation? 

Yes. Women who were exposed to asbestos secondhand through their household or workplace and later diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease may be entitled to compensation. Legal options include: 

• Filing a personal injury lawsuit 

• Pursuing compensation through asbestos trust funds 

• Submitting a wrongful death claim on behalf of a deceased loved one 

Asbestos trust funds were established by companies that filed for bankruptcy due to overwhelming asbestos liability. These funds allow victims, including women exposed secondhand, to pursue financial compensation without going through a lengthy court process. 

How Can I Get Help? 

The best way to pursue compensation is by contacting a law firm that specializes in asbestos litigation. At the Halpern Law Firm, we have over 35 years of experience helping Pennsylvania families secure the justice and financial relief they deserve. 

Our team will: 

• Review your exposure history 

• Determine your eligibility for asbestos trust funds 

• File your claim for you at no upfront cost 

• Help you access medical and support resources 

 

To find out more information about your eligibility for women with asbestos, call (800) 505-6000, fill out our contact form, or utilize our chat feature, and someone will be in touch with you right away. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can women really get mesothelioma if they never worked in a factory?

Yes. Many women diagnosed with mesothelioma never held an industrial job. They were exposed through a family member’s contaminated work clothing, by living near a plant or manufacturing site, or by spending years in older buildings with deteriorating asbestos materials. Not having worked around asbestos yourself does not rule out asbestos as the cause.

What is secondary exposure, and how did it happen?

Secondary exposure, sometimes called take-home exposure, occurs when asbestos fibers travel home on a worker’s clothing, boots, hair, or tools. Women who washed or shook out those work clothes, or who lived in a household where that dust settled, could inhale fibers without ever setting foot on a job site.

Why are women more likely to be misdiagnosed?

Mesothelioma is rare, and physicians often consider it only when a patient has a recognizable occupational exposure history. Because many women do not have one, the possibility may not come up. Symptoms that resemble more common conditions compound the problem. Telling your doctor about a spouse’s or parent’s work history can change how symptoms are evaluated.

What symptoms should women watch for?

Common signs include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, a persistent dry cough, chest or abdominal pain, fatigue and general weakness, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. These overlap with many ordinary illnesses, which is part of why diagnosis is often delayed. Persistent or unexplained symptoms are worth raising with a physician alongside any exposure history.

How long after exposure does mesothelioma appear in women?

As with men, symptoms typically do not appear for decades, commonly 20 to 50 years after exposure. A woman who washed a husband’s work clothes in the 1970s might not receive a diagnosis until many years later, long after that exposure ended.

Can women file a claim for secondhand exposure?

Yes. Women exposed secondhand through a household member’s work and later diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease may be entitled to compensation. Claims are generally brought against the manufacturers of the asbestos products involved, not against the family member who unknowingly carried fibers home.

What if my husband or father has already passed away?

That does not prevent a claim. His employment history, union records, Social Security earnings records, and the recollections of former coworkers can all help establish where the asbestos came from. Families frequently pursue these claims after the worker has died, and a surviving spouse or child diagnosed with mesothelioma has a claim of her own.

What are asbestos trust funds?

They were established by companies that filed for bankruptcy because of asbestos liability, and they were required to set aside money to compensate people harmed by their products. Trust fund claims allow victims, including women exposed secondhand, to seek compensation without going through a lengthy court process. Many people pursue trust fund claims alongside other legal options.

What does it cost to find out whether I have a claim?

Nothing. We review your exposure history, determine eligibility for asbestos trust funds, and file claims at no upfront cost. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form and someone will be in touch with you right away.

Sources: 

National Library of Medicine

BMJ Journals