Cancer takes on many forms and results from many causes. Some cancers are preventable. Some forms of cancer have a good prognosis. The type of cancer that is the focus of this article is called Mesothelioma and it is preventable. If someone develops mesothelioma, typically the prognosis is poor and families need to seek help from a mesothelioma lawyer.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and the legacy of mesothelioma is a disturbing one. Thousands of people unduly suffer from the effects of asbestos exposure and many more have wrongly died. The hazardous effects of asbestos became know in the 1920s but corporations, who were using asbestos, did not tell their employees of the danger nor did they use alternative materials.
Thousands of persons were unnecessarily exposed to asbestos and as a result many developed mesothelioma in their later years. If you, or anyone you know, have mesothelioma contact a mesothelioma lawyer to help you receive compensation if you were wrongly exposed to asbestos.
If you know someone who died from mesothelioma, it is important that their family contact a mesothelioma lawyer who can recommend whether a mesothelioma lawsuit may result in compensatory benefits.
Mesothelioma attacks what are called mosothelial cells of an organ. The most common organ cells affected by mesothelioma are those in the lungs, heart or abdomen. Pleural mesothelioma is the most predominant type of mesothelioma and it presents as an extremely virulent variety of lung cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is separated into two explicit categories. The first type is called diffuse and malignant (cancerous) and the second type is known as benign (not cancerous).
Malignant mesothelioma is a life-threatening rare condition accounting for almost 75% of all the mesothelioma cases. Malignant mesothelioma must be treated aggressively as it is a malignant type of cancer.
Not only for this reason but, also because more often than not, by the time it is has been diagnosed, the disease has moved into an advanced stage of cancer. The diagnosis of mesothelioma can only be made definitively by taking a biopsy and conducting a pathological analysis.
As the pleural mesothelioma tumor spreads over the pleura, (a thin membrane that covers the outside of the lungs) it produces thickening of this membrane. As the thickening progresses, a restraining type of girdle effect takes place.
As the pleural membrane becomes thicker and more restrictive, the lungs become more restrained and start to diminish and become smaller. The ultimate result of this progression is that the lung(s) are less capable of performing their functions.
One of the first signs someone will begin to experience is shortness of breathe. This will initially be noticeable when they put forth energy or effort in actions such as light exercise, making a bed, and yard work etc.
As the pleural mesothelioma grows and the lung(s) become less functional, the difficulty in breathing expands to occurring when the patient is involved in activities requiring even less exertion than light exercise. Eventually the pleural mesothelioma patient will experience shortness of breath even when lying down, sitting in a chair, and/or resting.
The tumor is constricting the lungs as it moves inward and as it expands outward, to affect nearby tissue of the chest cavity and ribs, it more than likely will create an excessive level of pain.
The second type of mesothelioma mentioned above is referred to as peritoneal. The tumor associated with form of mesothelioma affects the peritoneum membrane that lines several abdominal organs. Peritoneal mesothelioma is not as rare as pleural mesothelioma but it presents more aggressively and as a results in a reduced life expectancy.
As with all cancers, peritoneal mesothelioma can be benign or malignant. Peritoneal mesothelioma takes years to develop and it is generally discovered by sheer chance and prior to symptoms beginning.
Typically the symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include: abdominal pain, a generalized weakness, poor appetite with eventual lose of weight, nausea and vomiting, and swelling of the abdomen.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma progress slowly and as time passes they become more and more severe. As with pleural mesothelioma, there is no cure and the prognosis is affected by the tumor size and stage, the type of tumor cell, and the response to treatment.
Treatment options for both types include: chemotherapy, radiation, surgical intervention, and intra-operative photodynamic therapy; which is the latest drug and light treatment used in the early stages of mesothelioma. If you feel you have been irresponsibly exposed to asbestos, call a mesothelioma attorney today.
Friday, December 26, 2008
An Overview of Mesothelioma Cancer
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Richmond California
Mesothelioma lawsuits were considered to have reached their maximum numbers in the late-mid nineties. It became evident and was expected that once the news about asbestos linked health risks were brought to the public's attention, Mesothelioma lawsuits were filed at lightening speed. New claimants in Richmond California surfaced from all stages of mesothelioma, and California mesothelioma lawyers began to realize they needed to become fluent in the medical conditions their clients presented.
In the late nineties, experts claimed that the number of Richmond mesothelioma lawsuits would be steadily declining, since tougher asbestos laws made it less tolerable to use asbestos laden materials in construction or production. Just as the insurance companies began to breathe a sigh of relief that they survived the Mesothelioma claims, the number of Mesothelioma lawsuits began to climb once again.
The difference between older lawsuits and newer lawsuits, however, was clear. The majority of new Mesothelioma lawsuits were being filed by individuals who were not ill in any way, not had they been diagnosed with Mesothelioma.
Does this new Mesothelioma lawsuit trend threaten to undermine current Richmond mesothelioma lawsuits with patients who are actually fighting the disease, or are these new Mesothelioma lawsuits filed by healthy claimants a sure sign of what is to come? There has been little to argue that high levels of asbestos is the cause of Mesothelioma.
There is little to argue the fact that it takes decades before a person who has been exposed to these toxic levels of asbestos may develop Mesothelioma. The evidence is clear. The companies who are responsible for exposing their employees are rapidly going bankrupt due to the astronomical settlements and award judgments.
People who were exposed to asbestos are no longer willing to wait until they are ill before filing Mesothelioma lawsuits. Their decision to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit is based on the fear that with the decades of dormancy associated with Mesothelioma the available funds to cover their future medical expenses and their family's basic financial needs will be long gone.
This poses an interesting question for those who have knowingly been exposed to asbestos. Filing a Mesothelioma lawsuit based on exposure may very well provide for the individual as well as the family in the event that Mesothelioma is diagnosed. California juries are awarding these settlements and recognizing that exposure is enough of a basis in which to file.
However, there is only so much honey in the barrel, and for those who file Mesothelioma lawsuits and win but never develop Mesothelioma may very well have taken the financial resources out of the hands of someone who waited until they were diagnosed. This is a very tricky and difficult ethical question faced by those who have been made aware of their asbestos exposure.
This poses a difficult question for various companies who were once responsible for the large amounts of exposure to asbestos but have moved on to more ethical manufacturing practices. The company at one time was responsible for presenting a huge health risks in association to asbestos and Mesothelioma. However, they now employ hundreds of thousands of workers who are protected against asbestos and Mesothelioma.
In most cases, the current management and ownership was not even in existence when the asbestos levels were high enough to cause Mesothelioma risks. Should they choose to settle these Mesothelioma lawsuits, they risk placing hundreds of thousands of people out of work.
The company may have at one time been responsible for the development of Mesothelioma in the past, but future cases are not likely because the asbestos has been removed.
Those who were exposed have a likelihood of developing Mesothelioma, and there is a responsible party which should be there to help cover the extraordinary expenses associated with Mesothelioma treatment. Where are they supposed to turn when they develop the disease? If they wait too long, there may not be any place for them to turn. If they file a Mesothelioma lawsuit too early, they may be denied compensation.
Questions such as these are often best discussed with a competent California mesothelioma lawyer who can handle cases in Richmond, San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, Los Angeles and throughout California. Having seen hundreds of cases and families affected by Mesothelioma, they can offer insight which can be unattainable any other way.
Despite the fact that they are not currently responsible for the development of Mesothelioma, you can count on these companies having lawyers on speed dial to fight for them. It would only be prudent that those who have been exposed to high levels of asbestos and are at risk for developing Mesothelioma do the same.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Mesothelioma Settlements Reviewed By California Mesothelioma Lawyer
The search for a highly qualified California mesothelioma lawyer has become more intense over the past few years. The dreadful disease known as Mesothelioma has been proven beyond a doubt to be cause by exposure to asbestos, and only by exposure to asbestos.
The asbestos exposure that leads to Mesothelioma can be caused by direct or indirect contact with this toxic material. Family members who were exposed to asbestos through the close contact they had with someone who worked in an asbestos contaminated work environment have been known to be afflicted with Mesothelioma later in life.
California mesothelioma victims should find a mesothelioma lawyer immediately upon diagnosis. While not all Mesothelioma cases are fightable in court, most of them are depending on various factors. Because of the relation between asbestos exposure and Mesothelioma, victims of Mesothelioma are encouraged to seek out legal advice as quickly as possible.
Many California mesothelioma lawsuits rapidly turn into settlements as companies are well aware that while the present ownership or management may not be liable for the Mesothelioma, the company as it was run only ten to forty years ago most likely was responsible for the onset of the victims; Mesothelioma. Coupled with jury tendencies to award very high Mesothelioma awards, a Mesothelioma settlement is usually in everyone's best interest.
Not all California mesothelioma settlements and awards are phenomenally high. There are circumstances where the victims of Mesothelioma receive very little to no compensation. This is a very rare occurrence, but it has been known to happen, and again it depends on the circumstances surrounding the asbestos exposure, the laws at the time, and the current legislation which was certainly not written in favor of California mesothelioma victims.
California mesothelioma lawyers who have ample experience and are well versed in current state laws and who have adequate research assistance available to them, are the best equipped to handle questions on a case by case basis. Despite the fact that Mesothelioma cases are being diagnosed slightly less annually, the rate of individuals retaining California mesothelioma counsel has once again started in increase.
This is a new phenomenon known as premature retention, whereas those who have evidence of being exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos are now able to sue those responsible for the asbestos exposure despite showing no signs of illness and having no Mesothelioma diagnosis. In fact, a good number of these claimants are perfectly healthy, yet their Mesothelioma lawsuits are being taken seriously and they are winning their suits.
These Mesothelioma lawsuits are being filed under the guidance of top notch California mesothelioma lawyers, who are simply making the claim that the dangers of asbestos are so well known that there is no excuse for exposing someone to asbestos. Once a Mesothelioma lawyer educates the jury on how incredibly irresponsible it is to expose a person to asbestos and how devastating Mesothelioma actually is, juries are awarding claimants with exposure claims large sums of money should they ever be afflicted with Mesothelioma.
There are a number of these premature California mesothelioma lawsuits that are filed based on the fact that the company has already been forced to pay out to Mesothelioma victims, and if more come forward, there is a likelihood that the company will run out of resources to pay out to all its California claimants. Thus, they file their Mesothelioma lawsuit based on their assessed risk from exposure, and many of those premature Mesothelioma lawsuits are being awarded in favor of the potential Mesothelioma victim.
The undisputed sole cause of Mesothelioma, asbestos, was used perpetually in nearly every building manufactured before the year 1975. All buildings that were built previous to 1975 should have a thorough and complete asbestos inspection assessed to determine if it is exposing those who are likely to be at risk to asbestos, which will lead to more California mesothelioma lawsuits.
Asbestos was a key material in fireproofing sprays, building insulation, insulation which was used for boilers and pipes, firebrick, gunite, and construction materials that were commonly used for flooring, roofs, and ceiling tiles. Asbestos use has been limited since the 1980s, but exposure threat still occurs on a regular basis.
A group of homeowners in one state successfully sued the contractor they bought their fill dirt from because it was contaminated with high levels of asbestos. Situation like this are certainly not uncommon. Asbestos truly needs to be outlawed and there needs to be greater consequences for those who violate the trust factor and allow innocent people to be exposed to asbestos.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Consult a California Mesothelioma Lawyer About Mesothelioma Lawsuits Due To Asbestos Exposure
Despite the fact that the dangers of asbestos exposure have been known since the 1920s, this fire resistant, lung incinerating material is still used in production and construction today. Granted, the government came forward in 1980 and placed a few new rules and regulations in place to help minimize the effects of too much asbestos exposure, but Mesothelioma victims will tell you that it was simply a case of a little too little and a little too late.
Public awareness of Mesothelioma has risen ten fold over the past ten to fifteen years, making it even more detrimental that companies today are still utilizing this material. There is very little payoff which would entice anyone with the necessary education into working in conditions that are likely to cause Mesothelioma.
The only likely answer? Even those companies which are in coherence with United States government regulations are not voluntarily admitting to their employees that they are working in asbestos contaminated areas. Most people who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma are genuinely surprised, unless of course their company or former company has been sued a few times by former or current employees in a Mesothelioma lawsuit.
I recently read a review of a company which had been sued four times for Mesothelioma claims and asbestos exposure and the majority of the company's retired employees discovered the health risks were present for the initial stage of the hearings. He was excused when he admitted being a former employee, and once released from his responsibilities as a juror, he informed as many retirees as he could find. Seven of the retired employees were subsequently tested and diagnosed with Mesothelioma.
Obviously, situations as such are very rare. Yet the point remains that people do not have the information they need regarding asbestos exposure and the threat that Mesothelioma presents in their life. Withholding such information leaves people at a serious disadvantage when it comes to making educated decisions about their health as it pertains to the work environment. It is fair to say that people do not typically willingly expose themselves to high levels of asbestos knowing the threat of Mesothelioma is very real and very ugly.
Mesothelioma settlements reflect the company's acknowledgement as to their culpability in these cases. While there is the perpetual excuse that companies tend to settle a Mesothelioma lawsuit to avoid negative press, there is much more truth to the notion that a company is much more willing to shell out to a Mesothelioma victim they are readily convinced contracted the disease while working for their company than they are to give hand outs to people they believe did not get sick working for them. A fight is only worth fighting when you believe you can win.
Not every case of Mesothelioma is one that will end up in settlement or a Mesothelioma lawsuit. A competent California mesothelioma lawyer will honestly tell you that not every case of Mesothelioma is able to make it to court or settlement. There are some determining factors that play into whether or not a Mesothelioma case will make it past the first meeting with a California mesothelioma lawyer.
Only a qualified California mesothelioma lawyer can tell you whether or not the specifics of your case qualify, but a few factors that determine a solid Mesothelioma case include the use of the asbestos, the quality of the lawyer, the laws during the time of both construction and employment, current legislation, and the time period which the building was constructed.
Fighting a Mesothelioma lawsuit is time consuming. So is treating the symptoms of Mesothelioma. Some people that start a Mesothelioma lawsuit are unable to finish their lawsuit due to health reasons. This does lay the groundwork for families to continue the Mesothelioma lawsuit in the event that the unfortunate but often inevitable conclusion to Mesothelioma.
Families often file a wrongful death Mesothelioma lawsuit after the victim has passed away. Most California mesothelioma lawyers will advise at least allowing them to gather direct information from the client even if the client has no intention of filing a Mesothelioma lawsuit. This allows the Mesothelioma attorney a chance to gather pertinent information that the family members of the victim may not be able to adequately answer.
No Mesothelioma victim should ever feel pressured to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit. Regardless of everything else, the decision to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit can only come from the victim.