Mesothelioma Lawyer - Your Legal Rights

OverviewCorporations that manufacture asbestos products have known about the dangers of asbestos-related diseases for more than six decades. In an effort to increase profit, they kept this information quiet, putting workers and families at risk.Working with asbestos causes serious diseases. Unfortunately, many corporations thought they would be able to cut corners and make a large profit at the expense of endangering workers. Fortunately, there are laws that help to protect those individuals that have been harmed by exposure to asbestos-related products.

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Organization Honors Asbestos Victims

Source: Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (4/28/2007)

International Workers Memorial DayThe Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an organization dedicated to serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today, on International Workers Memorial Day, honors and remembers the 100,000 workers killed due to asbestos-caused diseases. Asbestos is still the number one carcinogen in the world of work and causes 54% of all deaths from occupational cancer.

"Given that we are in the 21st century and the hazards of asbestos have been known since the 19th Century, and further revealed in the 20th, it is outrageous that the Congressional tunnel workers were subjected to asbestos exposures over a protracted period of time. Given their exposures and the absence of adequate protection, they have an elevated risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and all the other diseases related to asbestos, on top of the asbestosis that has been diagnosed among of members of this group," said Arthur L. Frank MD, PhD and Co-Scientific Director of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "As we pay tribute to former workers on this day of remembrance, we need to take action to protect current workers who are still being abused."

"Asbestos has touched the lives of millions of people, each with names and families, like Nellie Kershaw, the 33 year old factory worker, who was the first case of asbestosis published in medical literature in 1927," said Dr. Richard A. Lemen, Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (ret.), and Co-Scientific Director of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "Today we think of the thousands of people, like Nellie Kershaw, who have lost their lives to the highly preventable diseases caused by asbestos."

"Somberly, we honor and remember victims who have died from asbestos exposure," said Linda Reinstein, Executive Director, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "Americans and businesses can't afford to wait any longer for legislation that focuses on education, research and a ban on asbestos. Tragically, many victims' symptoms go unrecognized for years before being diagnosed with an incurable respiratory disease or cancer. Prevention is the only cure for asbestos diseases."

Asbestos as The Cause of Mesothelioma

These will pass into the respiratory system and get most probably get lodged in the lining of the lungs. An accumulation of these fibres can cause the cells around it to become abnormal and this can lead to mesothelioma. Through the lymphatic system, asbestos fibres can become lodged in the lining of the abdomen or in the lining of the heart.

A Guide to Asbestos Attorneys
Asbestos attorneys help victims of asbestos-related ailments win multi-million dollar compensations. Over exposure to asbestos can result in life-threatening diseases. Medical expenses related to these diseases are often very high, and treatment may extend over a lifetime. Most of the victims are former construction workers. Very often, workers are not informed about the ill-effects of asbestos by their employers. Asbestos attorneys help these victims obtain damages from their former employers.

Asbestos lawsuits involve many complexities and usually take about six months to one year to resolve. These lawsuits require special knowledge and expertise. General practitioners would not suffice for such cases. Only attorneys who have ample experience in asbestos lawsuits can help you through the case. Asbestos attorneys have, therefore, emerged as a specialized lot. These attorneys can recover appropriate damages to cover medical expenses and rehabilitation costs for the victims.

Asbestos attorneys usually charge their fees on a contingency basis, in which certain percentage of the compensation amount is given as fee. If the lawsuit fails, attorneys usually do not charge any fee. A lot of asbestos attorneys have their own networks spanning over many states. Many of them even have their own websites, too. Most law firms specializing in asbestos lawsuits maintain a team of asbestos attorneys and investigators. This team is often backed by huge databases of records and depositions.

Asbestos attorneys usually have to deal with all sorts of companies that do businesses involving asbestos in one form or other. Among the commonly litigated companies are mining companies, distributors, insulation contractors, brokers, and numerous other contractors where workers handle asbestos products. Contractors and site owners are held responsible for any lack of safety standards implemented for their workers.

The Cause of The Mesothelioma Cancer

Through a series of articles you will know and learn rapidly about this cancer disease that affects either men or women at any age.

The cancer of the mesothelium appears when the cells of this membrane -that forms the lining of several internal organs within the different body cavities: the pleura in the thoracal cavity, the peritoneum in the abdominal cavity and the pericardium in the heart sac, become abnormal or 'malignant' and divide neither with control nor order.
The mesothelium is composed by two layers of cells, which produce a fluid that enable the expanding and contracting movements of organs, such as the heart beating and the corresponding lungs movements.
Although most Mesothelioma cases start in the pleura or peritoneum, the problem increases when these cancerous cells can damage nearby tissues and organs or even metastasize or spread to other parts of your body.

Despite Mesothelioma cancer rate has increased over the past 20 years, this disease is not as common as other types of cancer pathology. The number of new diagnosed cases in the United States rises up to 2,000 per year.
Asbestos Related Mesothelioma Cancer

Asbestos Cancer Mesothelioma is a malignant disease to take a lot of lifes each year, many people concentrate their effort in to know o find out a cure for this disease, and in other economic aspect of the asbestos, such as money compensation.

However, last researches to point out that a blood test could help screen for pleural mesothelioma by checking the blood for high levels of a protein called osteopontin, because blood esteopontin levels rise dramatically in the early stages of pleural mesothelioma, this kind of cancer is a deadly asbestos related illness.
The pleural mesothelioma is a rare disease of the lining of the lung and chest cavity that is usually cancerous, the cause is asbestos exposure and it could take 15 to 35 years to develop the disease, from the time of asbestos exposure.

The above exposure can be direct with the substance or second-hand with a family member whose clothing or skin carried the asbestos into the home. Obviously in the last case the development of the disease could take more than 35 years.

To say, the pleural mesothelioma was so difficult to detect its in early, high mortality rate and a life expectancy of few months, but with the new blood test there are higher percentage of probabilities to detect this kind of cancer, moreover its can detect or determine other kinds of asbestos related cancer. But in the letter case the findings need further study, other kind of cancer to could be early detected for osteopontin blood test is for instance “Ovarian Cancer”.

Mesothelioma Stories of Hope: Patients And Survivors

Mesothelioma, a disease caused only by exposure to asbestos, only strikes an estimated 3000 US citizens a year, but it’s effects can be felt by each and every one of us throughout the entire population.
What really hit’s home with the stories of those suffering from Mesothelioma, however, is how much they are just like everybody else; they worked for years to provide for their families, the people we see each morning at the coffee shop, the man who repairs your car with a smile, the elderly wife you see in the aisles of the local grocery store, your next-door neighbors, your friends.

They are no different than anyone of you, and yet they are fighting each and every day for their survival.
Their stories are moving and an inspiration to all of us; heartbreaking in their devastation but uplifting in the rare rays of hope that they project.

Below you will find stories of hope written by patients of this deadly disease. They have been kind enough to provide us with a short story or narrative talking about their experiences with the disease and how they have been able to continue to live and grow once they were diagnosed.

Click on any of the people’s names below to read their stories, in their own words:

Mesothelioma Story Of Hope #1, Jane:
Name: Jane Doe
Age: 58
Occupation: Housewife
Diagnosis Date: May 2004
Current Condition: Alive
Introduction:
"The day started out like any other day. I was planning on going out to lunch with two of my long-time friends and then spending the afternoon with my daughter and my three beautiful grandchildren. I noticed what a beautiful sunny day it was as I drove to my primary care doctor to discuss a reoccurring cough that I had had for the past few months. Previous doctor’s visits had not resulted in any diagnosis; but when my doctor’s office called the previous day, they said I should go in to the office to discuss the next step. When I left the office only 45 minutes later, I realized my life was changed forever.. "
Click Here To Read "Jane's Story" Today

Mesothelioma Story Of Hope #2, John:
Name: John Smith
Age: 64
Occupation: Automotive Plant Manager
Diagnosis Date: April 2004
Current Condition: Alive (But Suffering Greatly)
Introduction:
" I was always taught by my parents that to live a successful life, I should be an honest, hard-working and compassionate person. I lived each and every day of my life like this. I began working in the manufacturing plant of a large auto company once I was finished with school..."
Click Here To Read "John's Story" Today

Mesothelioma And Asbestos Photograph Gallery

Protected Workers In Full Body Suits
Protected workers in full body suits, including gas masks and respirators, removing asbestos from an exposed site within a refinery / manufacturing facility in Cushing, OK. Asbestos subcontractors began asbestos abatement activities after inspection by the DOL on January 10, 2003. Approximately 9,950 ft2 of vessel insulation and 10,397 ft2 of pipe insulation has been abated to date. Asbestos is double bagged prior to shipment to the landfill. Thirteen (13) 30 cy3 , roll-off boxes containing asbestos debris has been transported to the landfill to date. (Source: EPA – Direct Source Link)



Workers testing the soil around a refinery / manufacturing facility
Workers testing the soil around a refinery / manufacturing facility for the presence of
Asbestos Fibers. Over 1,000 samples collected during the EE/CA and subsequent samples collected by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have identified approximately 12,000 ft2 of vessel insulation and 15,000 ft2 of pipe ACM insulation. Additionally, approximately 13,290 sq. ft. of transite (nonB friable ACM) has been identified at this site. (Source: EPA – Direct Source Link)



Sample of Asbestos
The sample of asbestos in the photograph is from Baie Verte and is owned by the Newfoundland Museum (G-100). Although now a restricted material, asbestos, at one time, was a widely used product because of its fibrous structure, low heat conductivity and high electrical resistance. It was mined for a number of years at Baie Verte, NF. (Source: Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – Direct Source Link)


Protected Worker in Full Body Suit
Another example of a protected worker in full body suit, including gas mask and respirator, removing asbestos from an exposed site. (Source: EPA – Direct Source Link)







Electron Micrographs of Asbestos-Containing Fireproofing
Electron micrographs of asbestos-containing fireproofing before (left) and after (right) treatment with the W.R. Grace - Brookhaven process. Nearly all the asbestos fibers are digested into amorphous minerals by the process, leaving fireproofing that is less than one percent asbestos, and therefore not regulated, but that still protects building beams and columns from fire damage.(Source: Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory – Direct Source Link )

Mesothelioma Foundations & Charitable Donation

As the number of victims affected by mesothelioma rises, it has become more important than ever to carry out extensive research into this cancer as well as educate others about it. As there is currently no long-term treatment available to mesothelioma sufferers, all that victims can do is hope that some day a breakthrough will be made by researchers and medical experts. However, this research costs vast amounts of time and money, and without appropriate funding can be very difficult.
This is where mesothelioma foundations come in. These organizations exist to help the victims of mesothelioma as well as work towards one day eliminating the disease – or at least making it non-terminal. Government funding for mesothelioma barely scratches the surface – only a few million dollars have been allocated to mesothelioma research over a period of several years. Therefore, many of these organizations rely heavily upon public donations.
So, what sort of things do mesothelioma foundations do? Well, these foundations carry out excellent work, although they clearly have to work within budgetary constraints. They work towards funding trials and research into treatment of this cancer; they help to support and educate patients as well as offering them advice with regards to treatment; and they aim to provide quality information that helps sufferers and their families.
Many breakthroughs have been made thanks to the dedication and hard work of the professionals at mesothelioma foundations. Treatments that offer a life extension of several months have been discovered, blood tests that help to speed up the diagnosis of the cancer have been developed and medication that can help to shrink the tumour is being investigated. With better funding, these foundations could support even more research giving the world a better chance of finding an effective long term treatment or cure for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma patients do not have the luxury of time. They cannot afford to wait around for appropriate funding. That’s why these foundations work hard to raise funds, so that they can then go on to support research projects which could help to give hope back to the victims of this deadly disease. However, with so much research and testing to be done and such limited funds, these organizations need all the financial help that they can get.

For those interested in helping mesothelioma organizations to reach their goals, there are several ways in which you can help:

The first one is the most obvious, and that’s by making a charitable donation to your local foundation. This can be in the form of a check, in cash, or if you prefer to donate on a regular basis many foundations can set up a direct debit or standing order so that the money goes directly from your account each month.

Perhaps you’d like to do a little fundraising yourself, in which case doing something like a sponsored run – or anything for which people would sponsor you – could prove effective. You could raise a fair amount of money which could ultimately help to change the lives of millions of people.

There is also another way that you could help, and that’s by volunteering to assist the foundations in one of a number of ways, which could include anything from helping with research to providing support and friendship to patients.

Mesothelioma foundations will benefit from all the additional support that they can get, whether it is financial or otherwise. If you feel you can assist in any of these ways, you should contact your local mesothelioma foundation and ask about making a contribution of applying for a volunteer’s position.

Whichever way you decide to show your support, you will be helping in the vital quest to eliminate this deadly cancer.