Mesothelioma: Unintentional Company Mistake, Or Preventable Failure To Protect Workers? - Law - Personal Injury

In earlier years, many victims of mesothelioma asbestos cancer believed their illness could not have been prevented. Companies described ignorance of the dangers of asbestos, and little or no knowledge that employees were at risk for malignant mesothelioma if they were exposed to asbestos dust. Because of this common perception, many workers injured by mesothelioma did not seek legal compensation, and instead struggled on their own with asbestos cancer.

However, today it is clear that many cases of malignant mesothelioma could have been prevented. More importantly, companies knew that asbestos could potentially cause malignant mesothelioma, and they also knew what steps to take for worker protection. Instead, these companies claimed ignorance and left workers open to the dangers of asbestos cancer.

The Danger Of Asbestos

Asbestos was introduced in the 1890s. The fibers were mined and then shipped for processing, where they were milled into a fine dust. This dust was then added to numerous compounds, ending up in insulation, fireproofing, cement, floor tiles, joint compounds, and much more. Employees were regularly put at risk whenever working with these materials. The fibers of asbestos themselves were dangerous, but also had a very high tendency to become airborne. The slightest disturbance could kick them into the air, and they tended to resist settling again, sometimes remaining aloft for weeks.

When airborne, the asbestos particles were breathed in by the workers who were laboring around them. The fibers, breathed in like this, became a direct cause of asbestos cancer and many other terrible diseases. Even worse, the danger wasn't limited to those working directly with asbestos. Anyone in the vicinity of a site using the material, or on a vessel transporting the material, or cleaning up a site where the material had been used would be at risk for malignant mesothelioma as well.

What Is Malignant Mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is one of the most common and most tragic results of this type of asbestos exposure. It is a cancer of the mesothelium, the lining around most organs of the body, including the heart, lungs, and stomach. When the mesothelium is afflicted with cancer, it is invaded by tumors. This may mean one large tumor, but frequently it means many smaller tumors. These masses stop the mesothelium from functioning properly and are very painful.

Mesothelioma most commonly arises in the pleura, the mesothelial lining outside of the lungs. The majority of other cases appear in the peritoneum, the lining outside of the stomach. It is important to note that asbestos cancer isn't lung cancer or stomach cancer, although the tumors can easily metastasize, spreading into the lungs and stomach.How Companies Put Workers At Risk

You may just be learning about the dangers of asbestos exposure, but your company may have known about them as early as the 1920s. Yet despite this knowledge, manufacturers and vendors of asbestos products failed to issue warnings about asbestos cancer until as late as the 1970s. Some companies never provided warnings at all, even as the link between asbestos cancer and asbestos became clear.

Because of the lack of warning, many people are now realizing that companies can be held accountable for the reckless practices that resulted in malignant mesothelioma. Hardworking employees just doing their jobs ended up in danger from exposure through no fault of their own, yet their companies offered no information or protection. Even more tragically, family members were often exposed to asbestos carried home on the clothing of loved ones working with deadly substance. The amount of particles required to cause asbestos cancer is small, and many victims became sick just because of the particles on the clothes of their father, mother, brother, sister, husband, or wife.

How Workers Can Fight Back

If you have been diagnosed with asbestos cancer, you may have a right to legal action against the company that exposed you. Your best course of action is to find an experienced attorney who will take the time to review your case and perform the detailed investigation that is sometimes necessary to determine the origin of your exposure.

With the right attorney at your side, you can make sure the company that failed to protect you is held accountable for its actions. You can be compensated for their deficient warnings, helping you and your family in your battle with asbestos cancer.

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Mesothelioma Compensation-Are You Aware Of Structured Settlements? - Health - Cancer

The National Cancer Institute defines Malignant mesothelioma as a very rare form of cancer, in which the cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium).

Mesothelioma is a killer. People that have lived or worked around asbestos can show up with this killer disease 20-40 years later. Sometimes a brief exposure to asbestos is all it takes to develop the disease. Some of the places that a person might have been exposed to asbestos include: pipe insulation, insulation around fireplaces, some types of siding, clutches and brakes, tiles for floors and ceilings, boiler insulation, shipyard workers, paper mill workers, mechanics, electricians, bricklayers, millwrights, plasterers, refinery workers, carpenters, and others.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you should consult mesothelioma attorneys for legal advice. You may be entitled to millions of dollars from negligent companies. Many Mesothelioma attorneys will work with clients on a contingency basis, meaning that the lawyer will take his fee from winnings of the structured settlements and that the client doesn't have to come up with money out of his pocket to hire and pay an attorney. Most mesothelioma lawyers will take about 40% of the compensation amount.

Asbestos cancer is a cancer that should have been prevented it is the result of deliberate negligence on the part of companies. People that have been exposed to it and developed this killer cancer from it and their families deserve to be compensated. Compensation in the form of structured settlements or payments can take care of the now disabled victim and the victim's family.

These companies have set aside millions of dollars in the form of structured settlements to pay the claims of injured workers and people who have been wrongly exposed to asbestos and developed the cancer Mesothelioma as a result of that exposure.

Structured settlements are legal arrangements that provide the plaintiff with a personal injury claim regular payments, sometimes of various amounts, over the period of several years, and sometimes for the rest of the plaintiff's life. These structured settlements can also be passed on in a will to survivors in some circumstances when the plaintiff dies. When a terrible accident or injury has occurred, negligence for example, structured settlements can be very substantial and a continuous stream of income can often be expected.

Most Mesothelioma attorneys will tell clients that the downside to structured settlements or a Mesothelioma claim is that it could take a long time for payments to begin, but the truth of the matter is that it does not always take that much time.

You should discuss with your mesothelioma attorney on the possibility of getting a structured payment for you and your family members.

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Why Military Veterans Are At Risk For Mesothelioma And Asbestosis - Law

Most workers have heard of the complications that arise from exposure to asbestos. The fibrous compound was used in a myriad of applications up until the 1980s, and few companies warned employees about the dangers of exposure. But as is now widely known, exposure to asbestos can lead to malignant mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer.

Anyone who worked in construction, maintenance, or custodial fields when asbestos was in use could have been exposed. But new research has shown that military veterans are at a particularly high risk for malignant mesothelioma, particularly Navy seamen and technicians who worked with asbestos parts on ships. This article will examine that risk, the possible results, and how an experienced mesothelioma attorney can help with recovery of damages.

Exposure To Asbestos

Asbestos was originally used because it helped add strength to compounds. It was commonly found in a variety of construction supplies, including drywall, plaster, caulking and putty, joint compounds, insulation, and fireproofing materials. Whenever any of these construction materials were installed, handled, sanded, or removed, the asbestos fibers were knocked out into the air. The fine asbestos dust was easy to inhale, and often ended up remaining in the air even after the actual work had been performed. This allowed it to be inhaled by others who may not have been immediately involved with the project that kicked up the dust initially. Cleanup crews, inspection crews and others often inhaled the fibers accidentally without ever knowing that they were in danger.

On a ship, the danger of exposure to asbestos was even greater. The enclosed spaces made it more likely that fibers would be inhaled. In the open air, asbestos eventually dissipates even though it tends to remain airborne for quite some time. On a boat, there is limited ability for the fibers to blow away naturally. Instead, they circulate and expose more people to the harmful effects of the dust, greatly increasing the risk of asbestos cancer.

Extended Risk From Indirect Exposure

If you were in a situation where you may have worked with asbestos yourself, you should certainly get screened for asbestos cancer. But you may be at risk for malignant mesothelioma if you were in the vicinity of asbestos fibers and inhaled them unintentionally. You may even have the disease if a family member worked with asbestos; the fibers tend to cling to clothing, creating the possibility that they would dislodge at home, after the workday was over and outside the environment that caused the original contamination.

Exposure Leads To Malignant Mesothelioma

When workers inhaled the fibers, they rarely knew that the fibers could cause potentially deadly health hazards like malignant mesothelioma. However, most companies that manufactured construction products containing asbestos were aware of the fact that when it was inhaled, it could eventually lead to deadly asbestos cancer. The asbestos fibers agitate the mesothelium, which are mucus membranes that line almost every organ in the human body. Malignant mesothelioma is usually found in the mesothelium around the lungs, but it can also be found around the heart and even surrounding the stomach.

What makes asbestos cancer so dangerous is how easily it can spread throughout the body. It begins as small tumors within the mesothelium, but tends to quickly metastasize into other nearby tissues. Because most malignant mesothelioma is found around the lungs, the cancer tends to become lung cancer. Although the two are linked, asbestos cancer is not the same as lung cancer: malignant mesothelioma may spread and become lung cancer, but it always begins in the mesothelium and it is always caused by asbestos exposure.

Do You Need A Mesothelioma Attorney?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, you should strongly consider hiring an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Although the use of asbestos was banned decades ago, asbestos cancer can take many years to manifest. In fact, many cases are going to court just recently. This rise in cases has led to specialized mesothelioma attorneys, who are familiar with the law and the science behind asbestos cancer.

No matter how advanced your disease, a mesothelioma attorney can be a very beneficial partner throughout the process. He or she will be able to guide you through the complex legal issues of proving fault, and he or she will be able to assist your family during the late stages of the disease. You need a mesothelioma attorney you can trust, but once you find the right one, you'll be able to rest assured that your rights are being defended as well as possible.

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Important Information You Should Know About Mesothelioma - Health - Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos on a regularly, particularly in the workplace between the 1930's and 1970's as well as now again, after 9-11. Mesothelioma can take several decades to form, generally several decades. Consequently, people that worked with asbestos, unknowingly, conceivably 30-40 years ago are only currently being diagnosed with this fatal disease. Mesothelioma cancers can have an effect on a number of critical organs: the most common form being Pleural Mesothelioma; which affects the lungs.

What most people don't know are, the latest treatments, support groups available and their legal rights.

Currently there are various forms of treatments available for mesothelioma patients, some of these treatments are opted as a more successful method, or one that targets the abnormal cells, individually or reduces pain for the patent better than other treatments will. A few of the most well-known and common treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Support groups are developed to allow others in the same situation or those who have come through the same situation to assist families who are currently facing the same challenges. It presents not only a way for the family to learn more about mesothelioma but also allows them to share their experiences and emotions

It is that critical to find a lawyer, for representation, as soon as possible after the initial diagnosis of mesothelioma, due to state by state statutes of limitations (time limits) that you have to file your claim. Missing the statue of limitation could cause you to be considered to be ineligible for action

There are also many questions you should know such as Do I have the right to file a claim if I think that my health has been affected by asbestos? Who will you file my claim against? Finding an experienced mesothelioma / asbestos related attorney is extremely important.

Knowing the facts about mesothelioma will make you better prepared to deal with all aspects of this disease and handle issues that arise. For more information please go to: mesothelioma.articipedia.com.

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Get Detailed Overview of Mesothelioma - Health - Cancer

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you need all the information you can get about the disease and treatment options in order to gain a better understanding of the disease, its causes and how treatment is given. Mesothelioma or cancer of the mesothelium, a form of asbestos cancer, is diagnosed in about 2000-3000 people in the United States each year, and this figure is not expected to peak for some time. Mesothelium is a kind of tissue surrounding the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and heart. It protects the organs of the body by producing a fluid that allows the organs to move, as the lungs must do during breathing.The most common form of Mesothelioma is known as pleural mesothelioma.

An estimated 8 million Americans were exposed to asbestos, either by direct occupational exposure, cleaning the clothes of a family member that worked with asbestos, or going to school or work in a building that contained asbestos. It is estimated that 10 to 15% of all public schools in the United States have asbestos in them - around 733,000 buildings. Occupational exposure can come from working in plumbing, insulation, electrical and construction companies as well as from automotive brakes, boilers and shipyards, including those used by the Army and U.S. Navy. Persons who do demolition work may be exposed to asbestos as well as people living near asbestos factories or areas of work where asbestosis is present.

Asbestos is made up of many small fibers which are easily inhaled by a person who works with them.Small asbestos particles can reach the most remote areas of the lung and can not usually be coughed out. They may also settle in the surrounding tissue, the chest cavity (pleura), or the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), where they cause inflammation and may lead to mesotelioma. There are various factors that may influence the treatment options available to mesothelioma patients, including how advanced the mesothelioma cancer is, the location of the tumour, whether it can be completely removed by surgery, the amount of liquid in the chest cavity and the age of the patient. According to all these factors, treatment can vary from surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Generally as mesothelioma tends to present itself at a later stage of development, chemotherapy is the preferred treatment. Removal of the mesothelioma and surrounding t issue is very rarely an option. There are many different combinations of treatments being explored in clinical trials including biological treatment, which aims to strengthen the immune system to prevent recurrence.

For the foreseeable future however, mesothelioma will remain a tragically bleak diagnosis. Mesothelioma is a very serious disease with a median survival of approximately one year after diagnosis. The rate for people with mesothelioma who are still alive five years after diagnosis is about 10%, though some figures suggest that this rate is increasing slightly. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or are suffering from the disease' s underlying symptoms, it is absolutely imperative that you seek the help of a top mesothelioma attorney that will assist you in getting the medical attention you require, as well as compensation for your illness and pain. The best mesothelioma lawyer are all made readily available through our website.

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About Mesothelioma Settlements - Law - Personal Injury

Mesothelioma patients who are considering filing a mesothelioma lawsuit wonder how much money they should expect to receive from resolution of the lawsuit. This is an important subject because mesothelioma most frequently develops in people who have retired and living on a limited income. Additionally, the cost of medical care for mesothelioma cancer is high and mesothelioma patients may have other financial responsibilities such as supporting dependents.

The fact is that the amount of money a person will receive from a mesothelioma settlement is uncertain because that amount depends on many factors. Some of these factors are: the court in which the lawsuit is filed, the number of companies being sued and their financial condition, mesothelioma patient's work history and skill of the attorney representing the patient.

Another question that a mesothelioma patient considers is whether to accept a settlement offer or to take a case to trial. This should be decided after a thorough discussion with your lawyer. There are benefits to settling a case. A settlement eliminates the risk and expense associated with a trial. Companies being sued are interested in settling cases because settlements can be kept confidential thereby minimizing the negative publicity associated with a trial.

Choosing the Right Mesothelioma Lawyer

Many lawyers market themselves as mesothelioma lawyers but simply refer mesothelioma cases to other lawyers who have the experience and resources to work on such cases. Here are some questions you should ask when selecting an attorney:What kind of settlements has the lawyer won?

Weitz & Luxenberg mesothelioma lawyers have been specializing in mesothelioma cases since 1986. The firm has won over $1 billion in asbestos cancer cases. Weitz & Luxenberg mesothelioma attorneys handle mesothelioma cases on a no-win, no-fee basis. That is, the firm does not get paid if it fails to win a settlement or verdict for a client. If the firm succeeds in obtaining a verdict or settlement, it collects a fraction of that amount as its legal fee. For more information and a free case review, visit

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Mesothelioma Lawyer : Your Legal Options - Health - Cancer

Mesotheliomais a hazardous disease caused by the exposure to harmful asbestos fibers. Many employees, who are unaware of this fact often land up contracting this life threatening disease. The disease has taken a heavy toll on the lives of people especially those working at construction sites. With the rise in the Mesothelioma disease, there is also an increasing demand for specialized and proficient attorneys, who can offer specialized services to the victims. No doubt, many of the expert attorneys have made their remarkable achievements in an unending fight for their clients to give them their rights.

Many of the proven medical evidences and references have linked the exposure of asbestos directly to asbestos cancers. With the number of deaths increasing among workers, companies were made aware of the fact and signs of dangers for using asbestos fibers in their products. However, as the companies were always at the edge to earn high profits, most of the renowned companies continued the practice of using detrimental fibers of asbestos.

Many of the remarkable verdicts by the known juries held the manufacturers liable for their torturous and criminal acts that made the employees suffer badly. These unethical and illegal acts of companies gave rise to Mesothelioma litigation. People diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer have many legal alternatives to seek compensation by taking help of expertise mesothelioma attorney.A victim can file a claim for the compensation for all the expenses incurred for the medical treatment, pain and other expenses linked to the asbestos cancer. Companies, who are responsible for exposing their employees to asbestos, are liable to compensate to the victims and their families.

A knowledgeable and efficient mesothelioma lawyer usually tries his/her best to provide complete justice to the victims. Many victims suffer enormously at the hands of the corporations that had intentionally exposed the employees to the asbestos products. A good lawyer can also suggest some additional expenses that a victim can recover from the company. It is also necessary to gather all the medical and financial documents relating to the mesothelioma disease for further records as evident in the court.

A mesothelioma lawyer makes every effort to see to it that the client does not have to struggle attending the trials regularly. The lawyer tries to make every possible attempt to handle the case independently until and unless any emergency arises. Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed either by an individual, who is suffering from asbestos cancer or by any family member of the victim, who has contracted the disease.

Exposure to asbestos can be primary or secondary. Primary victims are employees of company and secondary victims are the people, who are indirectly exposed to asbestos. Irrespective of the class of people suffering from mesothelioma, there are lawsuit claims that promise a hefty amount of compensation to the sufferers as well as to the family members of the victims.

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