Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells found in one's body. These cells form membranous linings that surround and protect the body's organs, and line body cavities such as the chest and abdomen.
Approximately two-to-three thousand cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around three percent of all cancer diagnoses. All forms of mesothelioma, except for benign mesothelioma, are invariably fatal. Mesothelioma is a very aggressive form of cancer that is difficult to diagnose and highly resistant to treatment, and full recovery is extremely rare.
Causes of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was widely used in the twentieth century in a number of different industries. Popular because of its durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties, it was regularly used in the manufacture of several thousand different products, up until the time that asbestos warnings were issued in the mid 1970s. The exact way in which asbestos causes mesothelioma is not well understood though doctors and researchers have put forth many hypotheses. What is apparent, however, is that any length of exposure to asbestos can be hazardous and may result in the development of asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are five known types of mesothelioma. Four of these are malignant cancers, and one is a benign condition.
Pleural Mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, with around 70% of cases being pleural in origin.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma:This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane. Approximately 25% of mesothelioma are of this type.
Pericardial Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. About 5% of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.
Testicular Mesothelioma: This is the rarest type of malignant mesothelioma; to date, there have been less than one hundred recorded cases. Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles.
Benign Mesothelioma: The benign form of mesothelioma most commonly develops in the pleura. This is the only form of mesothelioma for which full cure and recovery is the probable outcome though it may be a precursor of future asbestos-related problems.
Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is difficult to treat, largely due to the fact that it remains latent in the body for up to five decades and is usually not diagnosed until its late stages. Also, diagnosis may be difficult due to the non-specific nature of most mesothelioma symptoms, which often resemble symptoms of less serious diseases.
The process for diagnosis usually begins with a compilation of the patient's full medical and work history including any exposure to asbestos. A medical examination is performed and if a problem is suspected, one or more diagnostic tests are ordered. These typically include medical imaging tests such as x-ray or CT and MRI scans, as well as biopsy procedures that test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancer cells. Diagnostic tests are also used to determine how far the cancer has advanced, and whether it has spread to other locations in the body.
Legal Issues
The dangers of asbestos exposure were known long before any efforts were made to protect workers. Many thousands of American workers were exposed to asbestos during the twentieth century, with no indication as to the risks that they were facing.
Companies that produced asbestos-containing products or used these products on a daily basis are liable for their negligence in failing to protect their workers. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result of asbestos exposure, it's important to know that you can talk to an attorney about seeking compensation for pain and suffering as well as reimbursement for medical expenses and lost income.
Mesothelioma Lawyers & Your Legal Rights
Every year, thousands of people die or become ill due to the negligence of asbestos manufacturers. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you should contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible. You may have been powerless to prevent current medical problems, but you do have legal rights. Hiring a lawyer with extensive experience and knowledge of asbestos claims can help you receive compensation from those responsible. Mesothelioma, which is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure, and other asbestos-related illnesses are attributed to negligence because asbestos companies knew about the associated health risks and decided not to tell employees or leak this information to the general public. As early as the 1920s asbestos companies were completely aware that their product not only caused harm to human health, but that it held the potential to claim the lives of those exposed to the substance.
By the 1930s and '40s, medical evidence had clearly linked asbestos exposure to lung disease and deadly asbestos cancers. Asbestos companies had been extensively warned of these dangers, but instead of choosing to use alternative substances (any many were available at the time), the industry chose soaring profits over the preservation of human health. It is because of these unethical actions that asbestos manufacturers are held liable for the undue suffering of those dealing with asbestos-related disease. To read more about this illustrious scandal, please see The Asbestos Cover-Up.
You have legal options because of these criminal actions and are allowed to seek compensation through the court system. Filing a claim against the entity responsible for your asbestos exposure will not only bring justice to the corrupt asbestos industry, it will also afford the opportunity to be compensated for the costs, as well as pain and suffering, associated with asbestos-induced illness. The following include some of the expenses for which you can pursue compensation:
A mesothelioma lawyer can review even more expenses that could be covered under your lawsuit, as each case varies. Make sure to save all medical and financial records relating to your asbestos-induced illness for this purpose. Aside from providing these sorts of documents and answering questions about your condition and how you may have been exposed to asbestos, you will not have to be involved with other stages of the case. Mesothelioma lawyers understand that their clients are far too ill and concerned with spending time with their families to deal with the details of filing a lawsuit or attending trial. For this reason, mesothelioma lawyers handle every aspect and detail of the case.
There are two types of lawsuits you may rightfully file in asbestos injury cases. If a family member has passed away from an asbestos-induced disease, you can file a wrongful death suit. In a personal injury claim, the individual suffering with an asbestos-related illness must be the one to file suit. Specific rights in these lawsuits depend on the county and state where the case is filed. The law gives asbestos victims the right to file suit once an asbestos-related illness has been diagnosed, even if you were first exposed to asbestos many years or even decades ago. While there is usually a more limiting statute of limitations, the law recognizes that asbestos can affect the body over the course of many years. Thus, the statute of limitations in asbestos-related cases does not start at the time of exposure, but upon initial diagnosis of illness. Keep in mind that you must file suit within the state's mandated time period. If you wait, you may lose your rights against the company responsible for your asbestos exposure. This is very important for grieving family members to consider if they have lost someone to an asbestos-related illness.
Employees of companies who used asbestos are not the only individuals who have rights against asbestos companies. Although the vast majority of cases are between employers and employees, other groups have rights as well. For example, if you have developed an asbestos-related disease because a spouse or family member worked for a company using asbestos, you may also have a case. Asbestos readily attaches to and travels well on clothing and hair, making it easy to track home after working around the material.
Having a mesothelioma lawyer is essential to successfully file suit against a corporation in an asbestos-related case. Although you have the legal right to pursue compensation, the entity being sued also has the legal right to try to disprove your case, and this is why it is so important to hire an experience mesothelioma attorney who has the knowledge and experience to bring justice to those responsible for your illness.
For information and a legal advice contact - The resources at Asbestos.com offer exceptional referrals for some of the most experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in the nation. For more information on your legal rights and other issues surrounding asbestos litigation, please fill out the form on their website or call us at 1-800-ASBESTOS () to receive a comprehensive and informative packet.
