Many individuals hear the word mesothelioma on the news or magazine articles and do not have a clear understanding of the affliction. They wonder, What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is one of the most serious health problems associated with asbestos exposure. Approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. There is presently no known cure for a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Malignant mesothelioma starts when cells found in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs, become abnormal and divide without control or order. These cancerous cells may then metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body, damaging tissues and organs.
Mesothelioma is a painful and devastating condition for victims and their families. We will work with you toward resolving your claim as soon as possible so that you can ensure financial security for your family.
Malignant mesothelioma may present itself in many forms. Common forms include: (1) peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the abdominal lining); (2) pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining); and (3) pericardial mesothelioma (cancer of the heart lining). The form of malignant mesothelioma someone has is an important factor in evaluating both treatment options and symptoms of the disease.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral used in a variety of products. Asbestos minerals break down into smaller particles that remain in the air or stick to clothing, making it easy to inhale or swallow. This characteristic is known as friability. People who breathe in asbestos particles are at a risk of developing life-threatening illnesses such as mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a carcinogen and a cause of lung cancer contained in silicate, insulation, floor tiles, fireproofing spray, and other hazardous materials. If you suffered asbestos exposure in the workplace, our attorneys can assist you in finding a workers’ compensation attorney. We will also assist you in finding appropriate medical treatment as well as finding immediate care and medical care financing. If you are interested in contacting a state lawyer in your local area to pursue claims against violating businesses or employers, our attorneys can direct you. We will take on the role of advocate and legal counselor for any victim or family of mesothelioma or asbestos injuries.
With any exposure, there is a risk of contracting lung cancer or mesothelioma. Our attorneys will assist you in identifying every potential source of lung cancer.
What is Mesothelioma?
Many individuals hear the word mesothelioma on the news or magazine articles and do not have a clear understanding of the affliction. They wonder, What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is one of the most serious health problems associated with asbestos exposure. Approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. There is presently no known cure for a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Malignant mesothelioma starts when cells found in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs, become abnormal and divide without control or order. These cancerous cells may then metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body, damaging tissues and organs.
Mesothelioma is a painful and devastating condition for victims and their families. We will work with you toward resolving your claim as soon as possible so that you can ensure financial security for your family.
Malignant mesothelioma may present itself in many forms. Common forms include: (1) peritoneal mesothelioma (cancer of the abdominal lining); (2) pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining); and (3) pericardial mesothelioma (cancer of the heart lining). The form of malignant mesothelioma someone has is an important factor in evaluating both treatment options and symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Symptoms of mesothelioma are usually nonspecific and may not appear until 10 to 40 years after someone is exposed to asbestos. When symptoms do finally appear, they may include shortness of breath and pain in the chest, due to an accumulation of fluid in the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. In addition, symptoms may include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling, due to a build-up of fluid in the abdomen. In some cases, symptoms may even include bowel obstruction, blood-clotting abnormalities, fever, night sweats and anemia.
Because the symptoms caused by mesothelioma are similar to many other less serious health problems, it is important to see a doctor for a correct diagnosis.
Risk Factors Associated With Mesothelioma
Although mesothelioma is a relatively rare cancer, reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years. Almost all people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. In fact, a history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in almost all cases. Usually, the risk of mesothelioma will increase with heavier and longer exposure to asbestos. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma also occurs more often in men than in women, and risk increases with age. Yet, mesothelioma may appear in either men or women at any age.
There is also evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of someone who worked with asbestos. Discuss your concerns with an attorney at Keefe Bartels.
Who Is at Risk for Asbestos Exposure?
Many people wonder if they are, or have been, exposed to the health risks caused by asbestos. Health hazards from asbestos dust have been recognized in workers exposed in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, insulation work in the construction and building trades, brake repair, and a variety of other trades. Demolition workers, drywall removers, and firefighters also may be exposed to asbestos dust.
People whose work brings them into contact with asbestos — workers who renovate buildings with asbestos in them, for example — may inhale fibers that are in the air; this is called occupational exposure. Workers’ families may inhale asbestos fibers released by clothes that have been in contact with asbestos-containing materials; this is called para-occupational exposure. People who live or work near asbestos-related operations might inhale asbestos fibers that have been released into the air by such operation; this is called neighborhood exposure.
The amount of asbestos to which someone is exposed will vary, according to:
- The concentration of fibers in the air
- The duration of exposure
- The person’s breathing rate (workers doing manual labor breathe faster)
- Weather conditions
- Any protective devices the person might be wearing
Although it is known that the risk to workers increases with heavier exposure and longer exposure time, investigators have found asbestos-related diseases in individuals who had only brief exposures. Workers who develop asbestos-related diseases may show no signs of illness for a long time after their first exposure. It can take from 10 to 40 years for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear. Because of this time-lapse issue, lawyers are often asked if there is still time to make a claim for an injury or illness caused by asbestos.
Compensation for Asbestos Exposure Injuries
Many effects of toxic asbestos exposure are permanent and irreversible. Although the law seeks to place an injured person in the position he or she was in before an injury, this usually is not possible. Instead, economic compensation thought to be equivalent to the victim’s damage is awarded. A plaintiff who can prove that he or she was exposed to asbestos may be able to recover for both the economic and non-economic consequences of that exposure, including:
- The cost of past and future medical care
- The cost of necessary rehabilitation
- Lost past and future wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Past and future pain and suffering
Another kind of damages that plaintiffs injured by asbestos may be able to recover are “punitive” damages. Punitive damages are intended not to compensate the victim for his or her losses, but to punish the defendant’s wrongful conduct. Although punitive damage awards receive a lot of media attention, they are in fact quite rare. The amount of punitive damages awarded is usually based on the wealth of the defendant and the magnitude of its wrongful conduct. Some states require that a portion of punitive damages awards be paid to the state.
Other Types of Asbestos Related Diseases
Medical research has proven a link between asbestos exposure and some cancers including colon, gastro intestinal, laryngeal, lung and rectal cancer.
There May Be Still Time to Make a Claim
Many people who have suffered injuries from toxic substances such as asbestos did not know of the health risks at the time of the exposure. As a result, some states have enacted laws allowing people to file lawsuits for a certain amount of time after the date when their asbestos-related illness was detected, rather than from the date of the exposure. Keefe Bartels can tell you whether you still have time to file a lawsuit within the limitation period applicable in New Jersey.
Getting Help
If you are concerned about potential exposure to asbestos, or if you or a loved one suffers from asbestosis, mesothelioma, or another medical condition associated with asbestos exposure, you should take action to protect your legal rights.
Contact Our Firm
If you have questions regarding mesothelioma or asbestosis, contact Keefe Bartels, L.L.C., by simply calling us at 877-ATTY-24-7 or by completing the contact form on this website. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the needs of our clients. All consultations are completely free of charge, and we are happy to meet at your home or any other location convenient to you.