Mesothalioma Lawyers
About Mesothlioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma is a disease that, until recently, was extremely rare. To date, little is know about the condition. However, as the rate of the disease has increased, a new breed of lawyers – those dealing specifically with mesothelioma lawsuits – have stepped in to fight for the rights of victims afflicted with this disease. These lawyers and law firms often deal exclusively with mesothelioma victims and their families who wish to claim compensation from the companies that were responsible for their exposure to asbestos. These mesothelioma lawsuits often result in millions of dollars for the victims when handled by an experienced lawyer or law firm.
Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have every right to file a lawsuit. Many of the companies responsible for exposing workers to asbestos were well aware of its dangers and effects, but still saw fit to let their workers continue with little or no protection against the dust and fibers that emanated from this hazardous material. Now, decades later, the effects of this exposure is taking its toll on American workers just as they reach their golden years. These workers are entitled to compensation and justice for their pain, suffering and loss of life. A mesothelioma lawsuit can provide them with such justice.
Today, there are many mesothelioma lawyers to choose from. The number of lawyers and law firms handling these lawsuits is on the rise. Many of these lawyers have dealt with numerous mesothelioma lawsuits and have a good deal of experience and knowledge about the disease. Those looking for a mesothelioma lawyer should chooser someone that has proven experience in the field. Most reputable lawyers will be happy to provide facts and figures on previous cases that they have handled. However, these lawyers often do not provide private information that might be subject to confidentiality. They can, however, provide you with details on how quickly cases were resolved, how much compensation was successfully obtained and how many mesothelioma lawsuits they have dealt with.
It is also worth finding out about the mesothelioma lawsuits that were not successful, and why they were not successful. It may be something as simple as a missed piece of evidence to failure to comply with sensitive timetables associated with such cases. These elements can make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful lawsuit. By finding out why some lawsuits resulted in no compensation, you may be able to avoid making the same type of mistake.
It is important that you find a good, experienced mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed with the disease. Most states have a set time limit in which you can file your lawsuit, and it is very important that you not miss that deadline known as a statute of limitations. Otherwise you may find that you are ineligible to make a claim. You also need to give your lawyer as much time as possible to do the necessary research and put together a solid and case against the negligent parties. In short, the earlier you get to a mesothelioma lawyer, the better your chances of success.
Many people are concerned because they do not know exactly where and when they were exposed to asbestos. Some people may have worked in several different places and been exposed to asbestos on numerous occasions. However, your mesothelioma lawyer can help in identifying products that you were exposed to. If necessary, your mesothelioma lawyer will hire the services of a private investigator to find out where the exposure took place. With some research and digging, the lawyer is generally able to pinpoint the company or companies responsible for the exposure.
Again, this can take time and is another reason why it is so important to find a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after the diagnosis of the cancer has been confirmed. Understandably, patients who have just been told that they have mesothelioma will have a great deal on their minds and filing a lawsuit may not be one of their priorities. However, the timely process of selecting a lawyer and filing your lawsuit can make all the difference in securing the future of your family.
Summary
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks a very vital sac that protects our internal organs, called the mesothelium. Essentially a tumor of the mesothelium. This disease occurs when cancerous or malignant cells attack the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer. It is one of the deadliest diseases known to man.
On average, after being infected, the life span is less than a short 24months.
Mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. These fibers were commonly used up until 1975, but in some places asbestos fibers are still being used today. Many cases of asbestos have resulted from the work environment. Most commonly the areas of work where one could have been exposed to asbestos are mining and milling, construction, insulation installation, fireproofing, auto repair, and many US military workers that worked with materials containing asbestos such as dry wall, roofing, cement, etc . Your loved ones could have even brought these fibers home with them from their jobs as well, infecting their entire families. Mesothelimoa can result from exposure to asbestos over long periods of time or just from brief exposure. Most of the people infected were the sole providers for their families.
Little did these laborers know that they were slowly killing themselves and their families. Many of these companies knew the affects of asbestos and they made their profits off the workers that ended up giving their lives for these companies to make billions.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos consists of tiny flexible fibers. Asbestos has been used in everything from cement to roofing materials. Asbestos fibers can enter the air one breathes and either be inhaled or ingested and can ultimately cause lung cancer, larynx cancer, kidney cancer, lung ailments, and of course Mesothelioma.
OSHA now regulates the acceptable amount of asbestos that an individual can be exposed to without risk; if levels exceed acceptable amounts, protective gear must be provided to employees.
News Update:
January 25, 2006Bill proposing a $140 billion compensation fund goes to the Senate floor A legislative bill proposing a $140 billion compensation fund for asbestos victims will go to the Senate floor on February 6. The bill is designed not only to compensate the many people who have been adversely affected by asbestos, but also to alleviate the myriad of high price lawsuits ensuing against companies culpable for asbestos exposure.
January 18, 2006
McDermott Attempts Asbestos Claims Settlement McDermott International Inc.’s proposal to reconcile up to 300,000 asbestos related injury claims through various settlements has been approved by U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance. The settlements could cost the company between $375 and $955 million in company funds.
According to the American Cancer Society, Mesothelioma is an extremely rare diagnosis, but there is about 3,000 new cases reported annually in the United States. Lately the new cases reported has risen due to the 20 or so years it takes for symptoms to appear.
Am I at risk for developing Mesothelioma?
The only known cause of Mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. This can be exposure over long periods of time or just briefly if in the right magnitude. Smoking is one major factor that can increase ones probability of getting Mesothelioma. Age can also increase ones risk for mesothelioma and also the disease is more commonly found in men, however it usually is men that take up the occupations that involve situations where asbestos can be found.
Symptoms sometimes may not appear for 20 - 50 years after asbestos exposure.
Many common symptom include,Weight loss, anemia, blood clotting abnormalities, abdominal pain, swelling in the abdominal cavity, difficulty in swallowing, pain and swelling in the face or neck area. If Mesothelioma remains undetected, cancer cells spread to other organs of the body making a cure more difficult to achieve.
Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and may include: surgery, removal of lung, removal of part of the diaphragm, radiation therapy, chemotherapy.
Due to the increase in Mesothelioma, free clinical trials and research are now being offered. If you suspect that you may be at risk for Mesothelioma, please see your doctor without delay.
Also it is very important you talk to a lawyer. Provided below are lawyers that will consult you initially for free. Many cases of Mesothelioma have resulted in the victims awarded in structured settlements tens of millions of dollars for their pain and suffering and also to protect their loved ones in the future.
If you or someone you know has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos related disease after they worked near asbestos, you need to contact a specialized mesothelioma lawyer / asbestos lawyer. Many law firms have had successful litigation lawsuits against companies that exposed you or your loved one to asbestos. You deserve the right to be compensated for your losses please contact an attorney today!
Treatment Of Mesolthalioma
Treatment
Treatment of MM using conventional therapies has not proved successful and patients have a median survival time of 6 - 12 months after presentation. The clinical behaviour of the malignancy is affected by several factors including the continuous mesothelial surface of the pleural cavity which favours local metastasis via exfoliated cells, invasion to underlying tissue and other organs within the pleural cavity, and the extremely long latency period between asbestos exposure and development of the disease.
[edit] Surgery
Surgery, either by itself or used in combination with pre- and post-operative adjuvant therapies has proved disappointing with a 5 year survival rate of less than 10%. A pleurectomy/decortication is the most common surgery, in which the lining of the chest is removed. Less common is an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), in which the lung, lining of the inside of the chest, the hemi-diaphragm and the pericardium are removed.
[edit] Radiation
Although the tumor is highly resistant to radiotherapy, these regimens are sometimes used to relieve symptoms arising from tumor growth, such as obstruction of a major blood vessel.
Radiotherapy is commonly applied to the sites of chest drain insertion, in order to prevent growth of the tumor along the track in the chest wall.
[edit] Chemotherapy
In February 2004, the Food and Drug Administration approved pemetrexed (brand name Alimta) for treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
[edit] Immunotherapy
Treatment regimens involving immunotherapy have yielded variable results. For example, intrapleural inoculation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in an attempt to boost the immune response, was found to be of no benefit to the patient (while it may benefit patients with bladder cancer). Mesothelioma cells proved susceptible to in vitro lysis by LAK cells following activation by interleukin-2 (IL-2), but patients undergoing this particular therapy experienced major side effects. Indeed, this trial was suspended in view of the unacceptably high levels of IL-2 toxicity and the severity of side effects such as fever and cachexia. Nonetheless, other trials involving interferon alpha have proved more encouraging with 20% of patients experiencing a greater than 50% reduction in tumor mass combined with minimal side effects.
[edit] Heated Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
A procedure known as heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy was developed by Paul Sugarbaker at the Washington Cancer Institute[7]. The surgeon removes as much of the tumor as possible followed by the direct administration of a chemotherapy agent, heated to between 40 and 48°C, in the abdomen. The fluid is perfused for 60 to 120 minutes and then drained.
This technique permits the administration of high concentrations of selected drugs into the abdominal and pelvic surfaces. Heating the chemotherapy treatment increases the penetration of the drugs into tissues. Also, heating itself damages the malignant cells more than the normal cells.
[edit] Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease? Since the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have regulated the asbestos industry in the U.S. In the past, asbestos was used as a fire retardant and an insulator. Other products are now used in its place. The controversy involving exposure to different forms of asbestos continues.
There are two major types of asbestos called chrysotile and amphibole. It is thought that the amphibole form of asbestos is to blame for causing mesothelioma. However, asbestos is still being removed even if it is the chrysotile variety. Removal is taking place in schools and other public buildings throughout the U.S. The hope is that these measures will greatly reduce the occurrence of this cancer.
What are the long-term effects of the disease? A mesothelioma is a highly aggressive tumor that is generally deadly. Current treatment of malignant mesothelioma is designed to make the person with cancer comfortable. Long-term survival cannot usually be expected.
What are the risks to others? Mesothelioma is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another. The exposure to the asbestos that caused the cancer occurred many years to several decades before the disease appeared. People who live with asbestos workers have a higher risk of getting this cancer.
Signs and symptoms of Mesothalioma
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
- chest wall pain
- pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung
- shortness of breath
- wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.
Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
- abdominal pain
- ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen
- a mass in the abdomen
- problems with bowel function
- weight loss
In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:
- blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
- disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
- jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin
- low blood sugar level
- pleural effusion
- pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs
- severe ascites
A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.
[edit] Diagnosis
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for mesothelioma. A physical examination is performed, followed by chest X-ray and often lung function tests. The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening commonly seen after asbestos exposure and increases suspicion of mesothelioma. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI is usually performed. If a large amount of fluid is present, abnormal cells may be detected by cytology if this fluid is aspirated with a syringe. For pleural fluid this is done by a pleural tap or chest drain, in ascites with an paracentesis or ascitic drain and in a pericardial effusion with pericardiocentesis. While absence of malignant cells on cytology does not completely exclude mesothelioma, it makes it much more unlikely, especially if an alternative diagnosis can be made (e.g. tuberculosis, heart failure).
If cytology is positive or a plaque is regarded as suspicious, a biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A doctor removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a histopathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples.
If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a laparoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.
Some info.....
Mesothlioma is a form of
cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to
asbestos.
[1] In this disease, malignant cells develop in the
mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the
pleura (outer lining of the
lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the
peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the
pericardium (a sac that surrounds the
heart). Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products. There is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.
