Showing posts with label What is Mesothelioma?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label What is Mesothelioma?. Show all posts

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

A mesothelioma lawsuit is filed by a victim of mesothelioma in order to recover damages associated with their development of this asbestos related cancer. A mesothelioma case can help a victim seek reparations for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering. Mesothelioma develops almost exclusively as a result of toxic exposure to asbestos. This disease can remain latent in a victim for up to forty years; therefore people who were exposed to asbestos in the environment in the 1950s may still be at risk for developing this disease.

Asbestos has been used to make more than 5000 products in the last few hundred years. Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals that is used to make products such as vehicle brakes and building materials. Asbestos is added to these products because it aids in heat and corrosion resistance. The deadly effects of asbestos have been known for over sixty years, though it continues to be used in a variety of industries. People in the construction, automotive, factory, railroad, shipyard, and custodial industries may all be at risk for the serious health consequences resulting from toxic exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal cancer that is caused by this harmful exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium that surrounds and protects the internal organs of the body and can affect any organ in the body including the brain, heart and reproductive organs. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common and affects the lining surrounding the lungs. This lining can become cancerous when asbestos is inhaled at toxic levels. Many times the disease is asymptomatic, though symptoms may include a persistent cough, pain in the chest area or shortness of breath.

Mesothelioma also affects the peritoneal lining of the organs in the abdominal cavity. This type of mesothelioma can also remain latent and asymptomatic for several years. If symptoms do develop they might include pain and swelling of the belly, nausea, bowel problems, weight loss, swollen feet, and anemia.

Mesothelioma affects men three to five times more often than it affects women. It is diagnosed in patients at an average age of 50 to 70 years. Once diagnosed, mesothelioma is fatal. The average survival time after diagnosis is only one year, because the cancer is usually in its advanced stages by the time it is discovered. For people who are diagnosed earlier, about one half survive for two years and twenty percent make it to five years.

A mesothelioma lawsuit can be filed in the legal system in order to seek reparations for medical expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering associated with the development of this disease. Employers and manufactures of asbestos containing products can be held liable for the injuries that develop as a result, especially when they were aware of the risks associated with the level of exposure they caused or permitted. Contacting a qualified lawyer is often the first step in discovering what your legal rights and options might be in a mesothelioma lawsuit. For more information on a mesothelioma lawsuit, please Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney who is familiar with other mesothelioma cases.


Mesothelioma Lawsuits Goes to Trial

A suit filed by a previous electrician who recently died from mesothelioma, is proceeding to trial in New York.

Joel Rosenberg is one of many men who fell victim to the disease after working for years in New York as an electrician and being exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelioma Due to Asbestos Exposure

Rosenberg began working at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) when he was a teenager and after being diagnosed later in his life with mesothelioma, died at the age of 64.

Before his death, Rosenberg filed the suit against IBEW aware that his condition was from all the work he had done in New York at the World Trade Center, Kennedy Airport, and Rockefeller Plaza, and other building’s in New York.

Losing his father, who was also an electrician for the Local 3 Union to mesothelioma in 1981, Rosenberg became aware of the co-relation between his job and his illness, as many of his co-workers became diagnosed throughout the years.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is related to the exposure of asbestos and affects thousands annually.

The Case

Before passing, Rosenberg made a video giving sworn testimony which will be shown to the jury.

His widow, Sharon Rosenberg, who is serving as a plaintiff in the case for her late husband, is continuing the lawsuit.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Abdominal Mesothelioma

What is Abdominal Mesothelioma?

Abdominal Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the membrane which lines the abdominal cavity and covers the organs therein. This type of cancer is called Peritoneal Mesothelioma, a name derived from the peritoneum or abdominal lining. The peritoneum is further described as the visceral peritoneum (the part covering the internal organs) and the parietal peritoneum (the part covering the abdominal cavity).

Exposure to asbestos, especially on the job, is the main cause of mesothelioma. Shipyards and construction sites are notoriously high-risk areas.

Fortunately, abdominal mesothelioma is very rare. Malignant mesothelioma may not appear for 25 years after one has been exposed to asbestos, but sadly, it can be quite aggressive once it appears.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Symptoms of Peritoneal or Abdominal Mesothelioma include weight loss, swelling of the abdomen, fever, anemia, and bowel obstruction. One can see that these symptoms often indicate other less serious medical conditions but if you have been exposed to asbestos it is important to make sure that you are not at risk. Keep in mind that asbestos exposure includes second-hand vulnerability. For example, if you live with someone who might bring asbestos dust home on their clothes, you could be a candidate for abdominal mesothelioma.
Abdominal Mesothelioma

It is believed that abdominal mesothelioma stems from asbestos fibers being ingested and once in the intestinal tract they work themselves into the peritoneal cavity. As well, asbestos fibers may be inhaled and then transported to the peritoneal cavity via the lymph node system.

If a biopsy reveals cancer cells, treatments are available. The chance of recovery depends on many circumstances, such as the size of the cancer and how far it has spread. Early diagnosis of mesothelioma is an extremely important first step in fighting abdominal mesothelioma.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a very serious malignant tumor that affects the torso of the human body. There is a very strong link between mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos particles (by breathing or swallowing). There are three common forms of mesothelioma:

1. Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of Mesothelioma. It starts in the chest cavity (after breathing the particles) before spreading to other areas.

2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma starts in the abdomen (after swallowing the particles) and accounts for about 10-20% of Mesothelioma patients.

3. Pericardial Mesothelioma is the rarest form of Mesothelioma. It starts in the cavity that surrounds the heart.

Mesothelioma is so difficult to diagnose early because the symptoms are often mistaken for those of other, less serious ailments. To make matters worse, it often takes many years for the symptoms to show up after the asbestos exposure takes place.

Here is a list of the most common Mesothelioma symptoms:

* Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)

* A cough that won't go away

* A change in your normal coughing pattern

* Frequent hoarseness or raspy voice

* Significant weight loss that cannot be explained

* Difficulty swallowing

* Pain in the chest or abdomen

* Coughing up blood

If you experience one or more of these symptoms of Mesothelioma for more than a short period of time, you should consult your physician right away. Mesothelioma, by its very nature, is very difficult to diagnose early (many people simply ignore the symptoms at first).

This is why you need to pay attention to your body and monitor your health for the symptoms, especially if you're in one of these high-risk occupations:

* Brake Mechanics

* Steel Workers

* Insulators

* Boilermakers

* Shipfitters

* Maintenance Workers

* Pipe Fitters

* Any other occupation where exposure to asbestos is possible or likely

Once Mesothelioma is diagnosed, the chances of recovery vary according to several factors, including the size and location of the tumor, how much it has spread, and the age of the patient.

In general, the earlier that Mesothelioma is diagnosed, the better the chances of survival. So if you experience any of the common Mesothelioma symptoms, see your doctor right away.

More detailed information about Mesothelioma:

* What is the mesothelium and Mesothelioma?
* What causes Mesothelioma?
* Mesothelioma symptoms
* Mesothelioma risk factors

Additional Resource:

Mesothelioma is a cancer that can be devastating to the people and family surrounding this disease. Get information about Mesothelioma support and Mesothelioma lawyers here today.