The Link Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma

The advantageous properties of asbestos have been known for at least 2,000 years. Some evidence exists that the mineral was used as early as 2500 B.C. to strengthen clay pots and vessels. Asbestos is resistant to fire and is relatively easy to incorporate into a wide variety of materials.
Unfortunately, the American public was unaware of the link between asbestos and mesothelioma until the 1970s, more than a century after suspicions were first voiced about the dangers of the mineral. Ample evidence exists, however, to show that not everyone was unaware of the risks.
In the last decade of the twentieth century, Britain’s Chief Inspector of Factories reported that there was a clear link between asbestos and health hazards. Around the same time, a study in France examined the deaths of 50 asbestos workers who succumbed to lung disease.
Shortly thereafter, Dr. H. M. Murray conducted an autopsy on a young man who had been a worker in a British asbestos factory and testified that the man had asbestos in his lungs, which had, at minimum, contributed to the death.
By 1918, Canadian and American insurance companies often chose to decline asbestos workers’ applications for life insurance due to their occupations. In 1927, a report detailed the deaths of nine of the ten workers employed in the carding room of an asbestos factory; the report called the disease “asbestosis,” a less-lethal lung disease, but questions exist as to whether the cause was actually mesothelioma.
In 1932, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, writing to an asbestos manufacturing firm, called asbestos “one of the most dangerous dusts to which man is exposed.” It is also believed that the U.S. Navy was made aware of the link between asbestos and mesothelioma that same year, yet specifications for naval vessels continued to require copious amounts of asbestos. Official warnings were not issued, and no steps were taken to provide workers with protective gear.


By the 1970s, enough information had been discovered to prove that companies manufacturing or using asbestos had entered into a conspiracy of silence to suppress information about the link between asbestos and mesothelioma.
This resulted in courts awarding punitive damages to those afflicted with a disease related to asbestos. Some sought the protection of bankruptcy, but most of the major companies established trusts for the payment of settlements.
Today, the link between asbestos and mesothelioma is typically regarded as a proven fact. The medical profession has yet to offer proof of any cause of mesothelioma other than exposure to asbestos. Among the evidence supporting the link is that, in modern times, the disease was extremely rare prior to the Industrial Age, when the mineral began to be mined and utilized in great amounts. Further support is evidenced by an increased rate of asbestos-related diseases among those who live near natural, aboveground asbestos deposits or in the vicinity of asbestos mines.
Since mesothelioma can occur many decades after exposure, some patients are not sure where and when the exposure occurred. Although the use of the mineral is now restricted, those who retrofit marine vessels, renovate homes built prior to the 1970s or work on automobiles remain at risk.
The link between asbestos and mesothelioma, however, is so well documented that employers are required to provide protective gear for any employee who is at risk of exposure.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits are Your Right

Companies routinely put their employees at risk. Sometimes they’re aware of the risk; sometimes they’re not. Asbestos was used as an insulator for decades in the early 1900s. It was in just about every home or building, as well as in many fixtures. During the course of applying the asbestos, workers breathed in the carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, fibers.

Later on, when the buildings and homes were being remodeled or torn down, workers were again exposed to that asbestos. Even folks who were in close contact with workers who were exposed to asbestos became exposed themselves. That asbestos exposure has reared its ugly head in the form of numerous maladies, one of which is mesothelioma. That’s the reason for the recent increase in mesothelioma lawsuits.
There is no cure for this debilitating condition. Once diagnosed with the affliction, the only recourse a person has is to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Filing a suit won’t bring a cure, but it will protect the afflicted and their loved ones from any extra expense incurred to treat the problem. Hospital bills rack up fast. Treatments and therapy and medications can cause medical expenses to skyrocket.
If an individual feels that he was exposed to asbestos in an asbestos zone, the lawsuit needs to be filed in a timely manner. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of the initial diagnosis, but that can vary by state. A lawsuit filed on behalf of a deceased person still needs to be filed within two years.
A person who has been exposed to asbestos through a spouse or other individual must also file a suit in the same manner as any others who contracted the disease from asbestos exposure. The same rules apply to anyone exposed to asbestos, not just employees.
To file a mesothelioma lawsuit, the victim needs to detail where and when the exposure occurred. An attorney can hire a private investigator to find out the exact circumstances if they’re unknown. Attorneys are usually willing to take on mesothelioma lawsuits for no-pay up-front. They take their payment as a percentage when the suit is settled. That means an individual who wouldn’t normally be able to afford an attorney can hire one on a speculative basis.
Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed in the victim’s home state or wherever the attorney feels the chances of getting a positive verdict might be. It’s best to find an attorney who specializes in these cases. He’ll have the resources and connections to push the case through the courts quickly. He’ll also know the best place to file the lawsuit to get the maximum settlement possible.
It’s difficult to say how much a mesothelioma settlement might be. It depends on the severity of the condition and any mitigating factors. Some cases settle for hundreds of thousands of dollars–others can reach into the millions. It really depends on your case and how good your attorney is.
Mesothelioma lawsuits usually don’t go to trial. Out-of-court settlements are common in these cases. An attorney should be willing to take the case to court if the defendant doesn’t offer a fair settlement. It’s easy to search the Internet to find an attorney who handles mesothelioma lawsuits exclusively or at least regularly. Nobody should be a victim twice.

 

Asbestos Lawyers Can Help You if You’ve Been Exposed

If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, you might find a lawyer is your best friend. Asbestos lawyers have been filing lawsuits on behalf of clients who were recklessly exposed to asbestos during their jobs, at their homes and in the schools.
For over 50 years, immoral, greedy corporations put their bottom line ahead of the health of their employees. That resulted in a large number of people who became seriously ill just by doing their jobs.
A conspiracy of silence by manufacturers kept the secret until the 1970s. At that point, the government banned the use of asbestos. The new laws had little effect on the people who had already been exposed; the damage was already done.
From the 1920s to the 1970s, asbestos was used as an insulator in products and buildings. It could be found in nearly every factory, warehouse, house, ship, church and school.
Those who worked with asbestos didn’t realize it then, but they were killing themselves. Breathing the tiny asbestos fibers began their journey to mesothelioma, a cruel killer of many a good person. As the asbestos-related cases became more common, asbestos lawyers rode to the rescue.
In spite of the regulations regarding asbestos, workers and their families were still being exposed. As homes were remodeled, buildings were torn down and ships were dismantled, workers were once again exposed to the micro-fibers. In fact, asbestos clean-ups still occur under strict guidelines, and workers are still being infected.
In fact, entire families have been exposed to asbestos just by being in the same room with people who had asbestos in the hair or on their clothing. That means innocent infants, children and spouses suffered right along with the exposed worker. That’s a wrong that asbestos lawyers sought to make right.
The sheer arrogance of manufacturers who believed they could routinely place their workers in jeopardy is incomprehensible. It boggles the mind to think that loyal workers were repaid for their allegiance by being thrown into an asbestos zone with no warning. That is exactly what happened. As dastardly as it sounds, the big companies didn’t care at all.
In fact, the longer the facts about asbestos and its carcinogenic properties were hidden, the more companies were involved in the cover-up. Then the mesothelioma cases began mounting up. The common factor among all these workers was that they worked with or near asbestos. Some made asbestos, some wrapped it on pipe or lined boilers with it and some sprayed it into the engine rooms of ships.
Years later, the sickness came. What started as a whisper then became a roar of indignation. Victims couldn’t believe their companies had sacrificed their workers for extra profit. Asbestos lawyers not only believed the companies were guilty–they knew it.
There’s a paper trail leading right to the front door of many corporations–corporations that prospered because their workers were unknowingly placing themselves and their families in harm’s way. Asbestos lawyers followed that trail and are making those companies pay for their sins.
Lawsuits for impaired ex-employees, stricken wives, cancer-ridden babies and those who died from mesothelioma are being filed all across the U.S. every day. Those with the disease can’t be cured, but they can be made more comfortable. Asbestos lawyers help folks who were exposed to asbestos because workers shouldn’t be treated as an expendable resource.

Mesothelioma Law Firms

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer closely linked to asbestos exposure. It is a deadly and expensive disease that takes a steep emotional, physical and financial toll on its sufferers.
Mesothelioma law firms help those with the disease to get the compensation they deserve for being subjected to hazardous conditions over their lifetime. In the case of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure greatly increases the risk of developing the disease.
Asbestos today is a known carcinogen, but during the 20th century, it was used extensively in building materials and insulation. Some forms of asbestos are friable, meaning that they are likely to break apart into fibers. These fibers become airborne and are inhaled by those nearby.
Workers in the construction and demolition fields are at the greatest risk, especially if they worked during the last half of the 20th century when asbestos was still commonly used for building.
Many cancers have a wide range of risk factors with few direct causes linked to them, but the correlation between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure is high. According to the National Cancer Institute, up to 80 percent of those suffering from mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos at one point in their lives.
This strong linkage has resulted in asbestos products being pulled from the market and companies in the United States stopping production of anything containing asbestos, but the risk remains since buildings already built with asbestos-containing materials were allowed to remain, and the risk for those doing construction or improvement projects remains.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs or the abdomen, but it can take up to 50 years after exposure to develop. This cancer is still extremely rare, but there has been an increase in the number of cases. The symptoms of the disease depend on the location of the membrane – called the mesothelium, affected.
Mesothelioma in the lungs results in a cough that gets progressively worse, trouble breathing and fatigue. Other forms of mesothelioma will cause bowel obstruction, anemia or blood clotting. Anyone showing any of these symptoms must visit a doctor for an evaluation. Then the patient should seek out one of the many mesothelioma law firms.
The legal aspects of mesothelioma are many, and mesothelioma law firms have a staff of lawyers with expertise in this niche of the area of the law. Asbestos has long been linked to cancer, but some companies continued to expose their workers to this material, knowing the risks.
In such instances, the company could be liable for their former employees cancer or lung damage. Just as a doctor is the only one who can make a medical diagnosis, only an attorney from one of the mesothelioma law firms is capable of determining whether a victim of mesothelioma has a viable legal case.
Just doing ones job should not result in that person developing a deadly disease. Legal action can get those with mesothelioma compensation for the financial strains and damages the disease incurred. Though money will never return ones health or life, it can help the family to meet their financial needs and the sufferer to pay for medical care.
The first step to getting compensation after a diagnosis should be to choose from one of the many mesothelioma law firms for a consultation and advice about any legal recourse.

Asbestosis Overview

Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory lung condition caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers become lodged within the inner layers of the lung, where they result in scarring which impairs the functioning of the lung.
Unlike mesothelioma, which can also be caused by asbestos, it is not a form of cancer.
Nonetheless, it is a serious health issue. The exact number of people who suffer from asbestosis is difficult to calculate, since many cases are misdiagnosed. However, an average of approximately 500-600 Americans die as a result of this disease every year.
Asbestos has gained notoriety for the health problems it can cause, but it is only dangerous if inhaled. Therefore, although many homes built in the United States prior to the 1970s used asbestos for insulation and other purposes, note that simply living in a home that contains asbestos does not put someone at high risk.
Unless such asbestos is disturbed, it does not enter the air and cannot be inhaled. That is why asbestosis is considered an occupational disease—only those who work with asbestos for many years are likely to inhale enough of it to cause a problem.
It typically takes high levels of asbestos exposure, or exposure over a long period of time, to contract asbestosis. Occupations which can result in contact with a sufficient amount of asbestos include (but are not limited to) miner, shipbuilder, construction worker, railroad worker, auto mechanic, and electrician. In addition, there is some evidence to indicate that the risk is also higher for those who live with someone who works around asbestos.
There is usually a long period of time between a person’s contracting the disease and the moment that symptoms first appear—20-30 years or more in some cases. Therefore, even though there are now many federal regulations against the use of asbestos and asbestos products, someone may still begin exhibiting symptoms today if he or she came into contact with asbestos in the past.
The primary symptom is shortness of breath. This usually appears gradually. At first, the sufferer will have breathing problems only when exerting him- or herself physically, but later breathing will become more and more difficult even at rest.
As the disease progresses, the patient may also experience chest pain and persistent coughing. In advanced cases, there may also be finger clubbing, where the fingertips become more round and spread out.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition, but some therapies, including oxygen therapy, can alleviate a patient’s breathing problems. Because it can make the patient more sensitive to certain other diseases, he or she will need regular medical care, including annual vaccines for influenza and immunization against pneumonia.
Quitting smoking, always a good idea, becomes even more important for those with asbestosis, as they have a much greater chance of contracting lung cancer. Severe cases may make a patient eligible for a lung transplant.
Someone who has worked with asbestos and who believes he or she may have asbestosis should see a doctor immediately. He or she may also wish to explore legal options, which may provide compensation for those who suffer from asbestos-related illnesses.

Mesothelioma Lawyers Get the Help You Need

Mesothelioma lawyers are fighters. They have to be. The corporations they battle on behalf of their clients are dastardly, scheming and powerful.
These are the same corporations that routinely sent their employees into asbestos zones where they were exposed to the carcinogenic fibers. The companies who were using asbestos knew the insulating material was cancer-causing, but they didn’t care.
They knew that passive exposure in the home could spread the asbestos to the entire family. Profit margins mattered more than their workers’ health. Additionally, these companies doubted any harm could come to them if their employees grew ill.
How could they be proven responsible for an illness like mesothelioma? Smug in their seemingly untouchable status, they continued their pattern of asbestos use in all sorts of products.
Asbestos is practically everywhere. It can be found in yarn, aprons, cigarette filters, paint, putty and rope. It’s also on the minds of mesothelioma lawyers. What began as a grievous offense against their workforce rapidly became a cover-up of the first order. With a wink and a nod, mega-companies denied that exposure to asbestos was harmful to their employees.
Meanwhile companies like Borg Warner, Owens Corning, Honeywell, Pfizer, 3M, Certainteed, Georgia-Pacific and General Electric were exposing their employees to asbestos. Mesothelioma lawyers protect the electricians, plumbers, painters, hod carriers and welders who suffered from their jobs.
A mesothelioma lawyer can file a lawsuit to assure that a victim of asbestos exposure doesn’t have to suffer needlessly. They can’t cure the disease or alleviate the symptoms, but they can get a fair settlement that ensures the bills get paid.
An experienced attorney knows where to file the lawsuit and how to get the facts in the case. They have a support system to investigate the claim. In most situations, an attorney will take a case on a speculative basis. After the settlement, the lawyer gets his percentage. That’s a great arrangement for a victim who couldn’t afford to hire an attorney to take on the big companies.
A victim needs to prove exposure to asbestos at an asbestos zone. Details are important and can be found in the company’s personnel files and through Social Security records. Lists of companies that risked their workers’ health and the occupations most likely to have been exposed can be found on the Internet. That’s also a great place to find a mesothelioma lawyer.
Most mesothelioma lawyers specialize in prosecuting those suits. Law firms with a history of environmental or worker compensation cases are also adept at asbestos-related lawsuits. It pays to stick with a firm that has handled mesothelioma cases for years. They have built-in resources and a familiarity with the process that can accelerate your case.
Mesothelioma lawyers can even file suit on behalf of the spouse or dependent child of a worker who died from asbestos-related causes. It’s important to have the suit filed promptly upon receiving the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Most states have a statute of limitations for filing, including claims filed for deceased persons.
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers know how to get satisfaction for their clients. The only recourse most victims have is to punish their heartless employers by suing them. The bottom line is really all that matters to these scoundrels. A good lawyer will get to their bottom line with a fair settlement.

Mesothelioma Attorneys Protect Everyone Who was Exposed

A casual glance around most homes reveals many of the same products. Folks usually have oven mitts, hair dryers, blankets, talcum powder, sheets and cables.
Most homes are made from asphalt, clapboard, finishing cement, insulation, drywall and brick. All of those products and compounds have one thing in common—they contain asbestos. Asbestos has long been known to be a killer.
The workers who made the boilers, gaskets and automobiles we use daily are dying from asbestos-related diseases they contracted from exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma attorneys have been defending those workers against the very companies to which they dedicated their time and, in some cases, their lives.
The names are so common that they’re part of our language. Goodyear, Goodrich, American Standard, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors all imperiled their employees by exposing them to asbestos zones.
Those employees subsequently carried the cancer-causing fibers back home on their clothing and in their hair, unknowingly cross-contaminating their families. Mesothelioma attorneys don’t just file suit on behalf of employees, they also protect those who lived with employees and were infected by their close contact.
In fact, mesothelioma attorneys can even file suit on behalf of the survivors of a deceased worker who died from workplace exposure to asbestos.
Don’t think the list of professionals exposed to asbestos is small or unique. Carpenters, maintenance workers, painters, roofers and even building inspectors have all been put in risky situations for the profit of big corporations. Asbestos was so commonly used back in the early 1900s that it’s almost easier to name the products that didn’t use it.
It isn’t easy to take money from companies as large as those responsible for such a heinous assault on their workforce. General Electric has a battery of attorneys and expert witnesses who will fight to defeat any lawsuit. All the big corporations rely on their attorneys to defray the costs of using a toxic product like asbestos.
In fact, long before the suits began, the companies were hedging their bets and trying to cover up the fact that asbestos was carcinogenic and employees were dying from their on-the-job exposure to it.
Mesothelioma attorneys were having none of that. They began specializing in asbestos-related cases, gaining knowledge and resources to help them beat the big corporations at their own game.
Lawyers can’t heal a person who’s been diagnosed with mesothelioma. What mesothelioma attorneys can do is make the company pay for putting their employees at risk. They can check employee records for dates and places. They’ll see how many cases have been filed against the same company for the same thing.
They’ll prosecute vigorously and demand satisfaction for the afflicted, the deceased and their dependents. They can hammer out a settlement or take the case to trial. They can make life easier for those affected by mesothelioma.
The most insidious thing about mesothelioma is that it takes 15 to 30 years for symptoms to develop. By that time, it’s too late to effect any real treatment short of attending to the symptoms. Dedicated mesothelioma attorneys are championing the cause of mesothelioma victims. They’re bringing justice to the afflicted, comfort to the dying and hope to the survivors.

What is Mesothelioma

What is Mesothelioma? it is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a membrane that surrounds and protects many of the body’s internal organs.
Mesothelioma most often occurs in the lungs and heart (pleural mesothelioma) or in the abdominal organs (peritoneal mesothelioma).
Approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States every year, making it a relatively rare type of cancer. Incidence rates, however, are increasing.

What is Mesothelioma? Risk Factors

The leading cause of this form of cancer is exposure to asbestos, a material that has been used extensively in buildings and vehicles. Inhaled asbestos fibers can become trapped in the lungs or stomach, where they can cause scarring and eventually lead to tumors.
Research indicates that 70-80% of those diagnosed have had contact with asbestos, most of them for sustained periods of time.
Therefore, those who have worked near asbestos—in jobs such as electrician, construction worker, shipbuilder, or miner—are at the highest risk. The majority of those who suffer from mesothelioma are men, but women make up a significant minority of patients, as well. A person who has lived with someone who works around asbestos may also ingest enough of the material to cause cancer.
People may only begin showing signs of the disease decades after being exposed to asbestos. Someone may have no contact with asbestos for many years and still discover one day that he or she has mesothelioma.

What is Mesothelioma? Warning Symptoms

The different forms of mesothelioma are associated with different symptoms. Early signs of pleural mesothelioma include shortness of breath, coughing, fever, and chest pains. The peritoneal variety can be indicated by weight loss, abdominal swelling, stomach pain, and bowel obstruction.
Because these symptoms can be caused by other conditions as well, mesothelioma often goes undetected in its early stages. Only a doctor can determine whether they are signs of cancer or something less serious.
It is crucial for anybody with the symptoms described above to get a diagnosis as soon as possible, especially if he or she has ever held a job that caused asbestos exposure. As with any cancer, the earlier it is detected, the better.

What is Mesothelioma? Treatment and Legal Options

Unfortunately, treating mesothelioma has proven difficult. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. A combination of all three treatments, when possible, has proven to be the most effective response. Scientists continue to search for new ways of combatting this painful disease.
Hopefully this information has sufficiently answered the question, “What is mesothelioma?” If you think you may have this disease, consult a doctor immediately.
Another important step for those affected by mesothelioma is to contact an attorney. The negative health effects of asbestos were known for many years, but companies tended not to inform their employees about the dangers before requiring them to come into contact with the material. Because of this, most people in the United States who have contracted mesothelioma are entitled to some form of legal compensation.
The same is true of the children and spouses of someone who has died from the disease. This compensation can help ensure that a patient will be able to afford treatment, or that his or her survivors will not suffer financial difficulties as a result of the loss of their loved one.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma – a cancer that affects the inner lining between the lungs and the chest cavity.
Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to the mineral asbestos. In most cases of mesothelioma, exposure occurs at a worksite where asbestos is present, but it may also occur in other areas with a high concentration of the mineral or from breathing in fibers from the clothing of someone working at a location with a high concentration of asbestos.
Mesothelioma is also known for its long latency period. That means that it may take anywhere from 15 to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop, and there have been almost no reported cases of mesothelioma within a decade of exposure. As a result, mesothelioma is harder to diagnose and treat, because the development of symptoms is so far removed from the initial exposure. Also, many symptoms may not show up until the disease is already in its advanced stages.

Signs and Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

• Painful or difficulty breathing.
• Chest pain and/or lumps on the chest.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Persistent cough or coughing up blood.
• General fatigue and weight loss.

How is Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Diagnosing pleural mesothelioma is a process, as the symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other types of illnesses. It is very important that you tell your doctor right away if you or someone you are close to was exposed to asbestos, as this will alert the doctor that they should be looking for mesothelioma cancer.
 

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy Treatment Options

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer with a high mortality rate. Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma have a short life expectancy when compared to other types of cancers, which is why it is considered such a serious health problem in today’s society.

Mesothelioma life expectancy varies depending on a number of different factors. These include:
• Age of Onset – Mesothelioma tends to be diagnosed later in life, often between the ages of 55 and 75. Aging may weaken your immune system and make it more difficult to fight the cancer, decreasing your life expectancy. Those under the age of 45 have a nearly 38% chance of living beyond 5 years, while those over the age of 65 have a 5 year survival rate of just 4.6%.
• Stage of Diagnosis – Mesothelioma life expectancy is also affected by the stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. Unfortunately, because this type of cancer often has a long latency period between the time of asbestos exposure and the onset of symptoms, it tends to be diagnosed during the later stages of the disease. Early diagnosis can greatly improve life expectancy.
• Health of the Patient – Life expectancy of the individual also depends on their overall general health. If you engaged in a more active lifestyle before acquiring the cancer, your body may have more strength to fight off the disease.

It is estimated that the average mesothelioma life expectancy is somewhere between 4 and 18 months after initial diagnosis, depending on the above factors.between 4 and 18 months after initial diagnosis, depending on the above factors.

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy Treatment Options
There are also treatment factors that need to be considered as well. Currently there are very few treatment options that have shown a considerable effect on life expectancy. However, early diagnosis can improve life expectancy a great deal, but late stage cancers are nearly impossible to cure, and most treatment options are focused on improving the patient’s quality of life. • Chemotherapy
Currently the most effective treatment option has been chemotherapy. Studies have shown that chemotherapy can increase life expectancy by anywhere between a few months to several years. As always, the benefits of chemotherapy are affected by age and overall health, but it has been one of the most effective treatment options, and one of the few that can improve life expectancy for patients with late stage cancers.
• Surgery
Surgery is not as effective for malignant mesothelioma, but it can help in the early stages and may prolong life expectancy. Surgery itself can be a fairly invasive procedure, and is often combined with other types of treatment (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) to improve life expectancy.
• Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy alone has not been shown to be a reliable way to improve life expectancy. But when radiation therapy is combined with other treatment methods, the results have been much more successful.
Survival Rates for Mesothelioma Patients
While the life expectancy of those with mesothelioma may look bleak, early cancer detection and a combination of treatments can help improve your survival rates. Good health is also important, and can help you fight the cancer for much longer.

The Rise of Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Few people exposed to asbestos assumed the risks knowingly and of their own accord. Most were employed by companies that forced them to work in conditions that exposed them to large amounts of asbestos or to use products in which asbestos was a prominent ingredient without their knowledge. In many of these cases, the person exposed to the mineral is not at fault for that contact.
The potential dangers of asbestos were discovered as early as the 1930’s. Since that time, it has been the responsibility of the employer to ensure the safety of their employees when it comes to asbestos exposure. But because of the long latency period between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma symptoms, many companies did not take action to protect their workers from asbestos fibers, or used asbestos to build properties without considering the future occupants’ health. Those that placed others in these situations should be held responsible for the effects of their negligence.

The Rise of Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Exposure to asbestos can cause a number of health problems, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer, one that is costly to treat and that can cause great emotional strain. Life expectancy for people with the disease is short, and the emotional, physical, and financial toll it takes on the individual and their family is immeasurable.

Companies that put you at risk are the ones at fault for their negligence. That is why there have been many mesothelioma lawsuits in recent years – due primarily to exposure that occurred anywhere from 15 to 50 years ago. These lawsuits are designed to recoup some of your medical losses if you became ill because of exposure to asbestos. You may also be entitled to compensation for lost wages and pain and suffering.
Receiving compensation for your loss is important. Companies that put you or someone you care about at risk for this type of deadly cancer should be held responsible. Mesothelioma lawsuits can help cover:

• Medical bills and expenses not covered by health insurance.
• Bills and expenses related to medical treatment, such as travel.
• Lost wages for income lost during treatment and after passing.

You can also receive compensation for funeral costs, and may be able to cover the cost of grief therapy for anyone affected by the disease. These lawsuits can also award you and your family money for pain and suffering.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are primarily filed by the person diagnosed with the disease. However, in the event of their passing, these lawsuits can be filed by surviving members of their family using a legal option known as a wrongful death suit.
Talk With a Lawyer About Your Options
If you or someone in your family was diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important that you speak with a lawyer immediately. You may be entitled to financial compensation for some or all of the expenses listed above. All lawsuits are different, and compensation may vary depending on the degree of exposure and liability of the company. In the interim, it is important that you keep track of all of the expenses (both medical and otherwise) that you have incurred as a result of asbestos exposure so that you can be compensated for them properly.

5 Considerations for Selecting an Asbestos Lawyer

When suffering from an asbestos related disease or experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one caused by exposure to asbestos, the last thing you want to do is deal with the stress of selecting the law firm to present your case.
There are thousands of asbestos lawyers available, but only select legal experts should be in charge of taking your case. Below are several things you should look for when selecting an attorney in this type of situation.
• Experience
Experience is perhaps the most important quality to look for in asbestos lawyers. While there are certainly qualified attorneys who do not specialize in asbestos-related suits that could still help you win your case, you do not want to leave such an important verdict to chance.
Lawyers that have experience in the area of asbestos-related lawsuits will be better prepared and know exactly what to do to get you the compensation you and your family deserve.
• Success
While experience is certainly important to consider when selecting asbestos lawyers, success is arguably more so. You should ask the lawyer how many asbestos related lawsuits they have filed, and find out how successful they have been for their previous clients.
More experience does not necessarily mean a better record, and a lawyer with slightly less experience but more success may be a better choice.
• Specialty
Some lawyers are also specialists in different types of lawsuits. For example, one lawyer may have more experience with cases related to mesothelioma, while another lawyer may have more experience with asbestosis.
Similarly, some lawyers are better equipped to handle cases brought by those currently suffering from asbestos related illnesses, while others are more adept at handling wrongful death suits. These should all be things you consider when selecting your legal expert.
• Involvement
Some lawyers handle cases without keeping their clients informed as things move forward. Others are much more communicative and will keep you updated each step of the way. You should be looking for a lawyer who will continually inform you as your case moves forward and one who understands your current situation.
All legal proceedings are long, complicated processes. A lawyer who works with you directly will make the whole ordeal much easier on you and your family.
• Fees/Costs/Contingency
You should also know what types of costs and fees to expect. Some lawyers charge a considerable amount of money to their clients, including fees for actions as simple as making copies. Others may have more affordable prices, but may not always be as qualified to try the case.
You may also be able to find a lawyer who is willing to work out a contingency plan with you. That means that they will only receive compensation if you win your lawsuit. These lawyers often receive more in the event that they win the case, but will not charge anything if they lose. Your choice is often going to depend on your current financial situation.
Finding the Right Lawyer For You
There are countless asbestos lawyers who will be more than happy to take your case. But you need to find the one that is best fit for your case. Talk to the lawyers and do your research. This is the only way to make sure that you choose the lawyer best suited to handle your case.

Asbestos Exposure

Not long ago, asbestos was commonly used in homes and offices for insulation, within appliances and under floors. Asbestos was also used to build ships, and played a significant role in many other types of construction.
Because of the frequency of its use, asbestos exposure was extremely common for people in many different lines of work. Demolition experts, for example, were exposed to asbestos fibers every time they demolished a building that contained the mineral. Electricians may have been subjected to asbestos exposure when working within the walls of a home or building with asbestos insulation, and the use of asbestos paints allowed the material to be placed in countless properties all over the country.
In addition, family members of those exposed to asbestos may also be at risk for problems from asbestos fibers. These fibers often stuck to clothes, and could be inhaled when doing laundry or when in close proximity to the individual.
What Happens When You Are Exposed to Asbestos?
Although anyone that lives or works in close proximity to asbestos is at risk for inhaling asbestos fibers, the population most at risk are those that handle the mineral in a way that releases fibers, such as when pulling apart walls or crushing asbestos laden insulation material.
These types of activity release asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers are then breathed in by those in the area. The reason that asbestos was such a popular material in buildings was because it was resistant to heat and chemicals. However, it is this resistance that also makes the fibers so dangerous – once they have been inhaled, they lodge in the tissues of your body and resist your body’s efforts to remove them, effectively taking up permanent residence in your lungs, tissues, and other organs.
Once lodged, asbestos fibers can cause inflammation as your body attempts to get rid of them the only way it knows how. Over time that inflammation puts you at risk for developing tumors, ultimately leading to asbestos related diseases.

What is Caused By Asbestos Exposure?

The most well-known and dangerous disease caused by asbestos is known as mesothelioma – a cancer that forms within the lining of your lungs. Asbestos can also cause a condition known as asbestosis, a respiratory disease that leads to chronic coughing and a reduction in lung capacity. Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer, which is why it is especially dangerous for people who smoke.
How Much Exposure is Too Much?
Scientists are unclear of the degree of exposure necessary to trigger symptoms. It may be possible, though unlikely, that just a small amount of exposure can put someone at risk. Because symptoms of asbestos-related diseases do not show up for roughly 15 to 50 years after exposure, it may be difficult to know exactly how much exposure the individual was subjected to over the course of their lifespan.
Nevertheless, those at the greatest risk of developing a serious health problem are those that work at sites with regular, extensive asbestos exposure, and those that come into close contact with them. Anyone that works or lives in an area that has a great deal of asbestos should be very careful to avoid the fibers and consult with a doctor regularly to ensure no symptoms have developed.

Asbestos Cancers

Asbestos is one of the most harmful naturally occurring minerals used in the world. It is resistant to both heat and chemicals, and when fibers get lodged in your body through inhalation, they can cause a number of health problems.
The greatest danger associated with exposure to asbestos is the development of asbestos cancers.

Cancers Caused By Asbestos

• Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Within your body there is a lining known as the mesothelium. When you breathe in asbestos fibers, they get lodged in the mesothelium and lead to inflammation. That type of prolonged inflammation puts you at risk for developing cancerous tumors.
While the mesothelium covers many of your internal organs (including the abdomen and the heart), the most common – and most dangerous – place to find mesothelioma is the outer lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. Pleural mesothelioma is extremely difficult to treat, and by the time it is diagnosed the individual has an average life expectancy of between 4 and 18 months.

• Lung Cancer

Although mesothelioma is the most well-known of the asbestos cancers, anyone exposed to asbestos is at an even higher risk for lung cancer. Studies have shown that asbestos lung cancer rates are nearly double the rate of mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers alone are not the most common cause of lung cancer, though. Instead, it is the combination of asbestos exposure and smoking that puts individuals at a high risk. Anyone who smokes and has also been in contact with asbestos should get tested regularly for asbestos related lung cancer, as the smoking increases the risk of developing this disease by a considerable margin.

• Gastrointestinal Cancers

There is also evidence that those exposed to asbestos may be at risk for gastrointestinal asbestos cancers. Gastrointestinal cancers caused by asbestos are less common, but it is believed that asbestos fibers affect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract in a similar manner as they do the mesothelium, eventually causing inflammation and leading to cancer. Gastrointestinal cancers may also be caused by ingesting asbestos in addition to inhaling the fibers.

Other Asbestos Cancers

Lung cancer, mesothelioma, and gastrointestinal cancer are the three diseases that have shown the strongest link to asbestos exposure, but they are not the only types of cancer that experts have linked to asbestos. Because asbestos fibers cause inflammation in any location they manage to lodge themselves (inflammation that may lead to cancerous tumors), it is believed that asbestos exposure may also cause other cancers in the colon, throat, kidneys and gallbladder.
Asbestos fibers have been linked to many different types of asbestos cancers, with lung cancer and mesothelioma the most common. But if you know that you have been exposed to asbestos, it is important that you see the doctor regularly about cancer screenings and tests, as you may be at risk for other types of cancer as well.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a dangerous form of cancer caused nearly exclusively by asbestos. Researchers believed there may be a connection between asbestos and mesothelioma in the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until 1977 that cancer research first conclusively linked the two together.
Part of the problem with finding the connection was a result of the fact that there is a considerably long latency period between asbestos exposure and development of mesothelioma. It may take anywhere from 15 to 50 years for mesothelioma to occur after exposure, which made it difficult for scientists to trace the origin of the disease.
Now, however, the link between asbestos and mesothelioma has been proven, and there is no longer any scientific debate over the connection between the mineral and cancer. When someone comes into contact with asbestos fibers – at work, at home, or from being in close contact with someone exposed to asbestos – they are at risk for mesothelioma.
What Causes the Cancer?
Asbestos is actually a naturally occurring mineral, and in the 19th and 20th century, it was found that this mineral had a very high resistance to heat and chemicals. That property made asbestos a great way to improve fire resistance and decay in various items used in homes and business, such as insulation.
It was found later that this very same resistance also made them a serious danger to human beings. When you inhale asbestos fibers, the fibers get lodged in the lining of your lungs. Because of their strong resistance to heat, your body is unable to remove these fibers, and because of their resistance to chemicals, it is not currently possible to remove the lodged fibers from your body through any type of drug therapy.
Over time, these fibers begin to cause inflammation, and that inflammation may eventually lead to the growth of cancerous tumors, ultimately leading to a type of cancer known as mesothelioma.
How Does the Degree of Exposure Affect The Cancer Rate?
Research has shown that the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma grew stronger the more the person was exposed to the fibers. That is why those at the highest risk are people who work in a location with a high amount of asbestos. People working in demolished buildings are at exceedingly high risk, because the demolition increases the number of asbestos fibers in the air.
Still, it is possible to have mesothelioma with only limited exposure to these fibers. Any time there is a high level of asbestos in the air you run the risk of serious inhalation. So if you are in contact with the clothes of someone who worked in these types of locations, you may inhale some of the particles on their shirt.
Getting Yourself Tested
Regardless of the severity of your exposure, there is a clear connection between asbestos and mesothelioma. So if you have come into contact with asbestos in any way – at home or at work – it is important that you get yourself regularly tested so that you can catch the cancer early, before it is at its most dangerous.

Types of Asbestos Cancers

When manufacturing or construction processes result in particles of asbestos containing materials becoming airborne, minute amounts of asbestos fibers are inhaled.
When trapped in the human body, these fibers may eventually lead to multiple types of asbestos cancers. There are different types of asbestos, but the International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined through extensive research that exposure to any type of commercial asbestos fibers can cause cancers.
The most aggressive of the asbestos cancers is mesothelioma. This cancer specifically targets the mesothelial cells that form a protective layer around the body’s internal cavities and organs. Mesothelioma typically affects the lining of the lungs, but it can also develop in the lining of the abdomen and of the heart.
The mesothelial lining of the lungs is called the pleura, and pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 percent of all diagnosed cases of mesothelioma. The lining that covers the abdominal cavity and surrounds the internal organs is called the peritoneum.
Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in this lining. Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the membrane that surrounds the heart, which is known as the pericardium.
There is no known cure for malignant mesothelioma, but there are a variety of palliative treatments that can prolong life expectancy and make living with the cancer more comfortable.
Mesothelioma is not usually detected in its early stages; one of the difficulties with asbestos cancers is their long latency period. These illnesses often take 20 to 50 years after initial asbestos exposure to develop, and in most cases the victim is not even aware the exposure has occurred.
Mesothelioma is not the only cancer caused by asbestos fibers in the body. The National Cancer Institute reports that asbestos exposure can result in an increased risk of developing a number of life-threatening cancers. These illnesses include lung, gastrointestinal, colorectal, kidney, throat, esophageal and gallbladder cancers. Higher incidences of breast cancer, prostate cancer and leukemia may also be linked to asbestos exposure.
Lung cancer is the second most common of the asbestos cancers, second only to mesothelioma. Lung cancer resulting from asbestos exposure is identified as either small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer. The identification depends upon the appearance of the cancer cells. Non-small cell lung cancer is the more prevalent of the two types.
The risk of developing cancer from exposure to asbestos is increased or lessened by a number of factors relating to the exposure. The primary risk factor is the amount of asbestos fibers inhaled. Larger numbers of asbestos fibers in the body equate to larger risks of developing asbestos cancers.
The fibers accumulate in the body, so the risk from a short term exposure to a large amount of airborne asbestos fibers could be the same as the risk from exposure to much smaller quantities of fibers over a longer period of time.
It is important to remember that not all asbestos cancers are terminal, and that early detection can be a key issue to successful; treatment. People who become ill with persistent coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss or tiredness should discuss work history as well as symptoms with a physician.
Certain jobs in specific time periods are known to have carried a high risk of asbestos exposure, and this information may aid the physician in making a diagnosis.