According to statistics, more than 30% of Americans suffering from mesothelioma—a deadly asbestos-induced lung cancer—were exposed to asbestos while serving their country. Veterans and shipyard workers face the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma or similar diseases because of the extensive use of asbestos in military equipment and products, buildings, ships, and submarines. This is especially true for veterans who served during or after World War II and before the1970s when the government began regulating use of asbestos.

Sadly, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American veterans have suffered exposure to asbestos, putting them at higher risk of developing asbestosis, mesothelioma, or other illness.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-induced lung cancer such as mesothelioma have legal rights and may be able to recover compensation for their losses and suffering. Only an experienced mesothelioma lawyer will know if you have a valid legal claim.

The Risk for Navy Veterans

Asbestos-induced lung cancer is a significant problem among Navy veterans, particularly because the use of asbestos was so very extensive on ships. Virtually no area on a Navy ship built before the 1970s is safe including:

· Fire and engine rooms

· Boiler rooms

· Navigation rooms

· Mess halls

· Sleeping quarters

Additionally, commonly used products such as gaskets, cables, insulation, adhesives, valves, and numerous others contained asbestos. Navy veterans, like other veterans, were prone to carry asbestos dust home on their clothes, thereby exposing their loved ones to the dangerous fibers.

Veterans’ Rights

Veterans groups across the country have started taking action to ensure their rights are protected. For instance, some veterans organizations have called on Congress to fund early lung cancer detection programs, which is especially important given the long latency period for mesothelioma—usually 30 to 50 years. Individual veterans, and, in some cases, their families, are filing legal claims to hold responsible parties accountable for the suffering caused by asbestos-induced lung disease.

By: Lynn Fugaro

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A case of mesothelioma causes a patient and his family a lot of pain and suffering but since there is no real gauge of measuring the damage done by this disease, the amount given as settlement varies from case to case and from one state to another depending upon their amendments and legislations.Starting a lawsuit is an expensive affair and it could affect the sufferer and their respective family greatly; the sufferer may be able to get assistance with the cost of the lawsuit, any medical treatment and other such expenses affecting the sufferer.

The lawsuit will work on the basis that the sufferer of mesothelioma did not know they were coming into regular and sustained contact with the asbestos. This can then lead to illness and possibly death. With their lives being cut short considerably; then the companies should compensate accordingly to this; based on lost earnings and further compensation to the family of the sufferer if they died through the condition if asbestosis. The main factor that determines the settlement money received by a patient, apart from the damage caused to them by it, is the political atmosphere and state under which the mesothelioma settlement was agreed upon.

When a lot of lawsuits were being filed In the 80’s and the 90’s the political climate in the U.S was mostly favorable to mesothelioma patients rather than the companies.Recently, however, the overall political climate has shifted. A reform bill in Georgia whereby the onus is on the plaintiff to provide all possible evidence showing that the problems was indeed causes by exposure to asbestos and another in Texas which makes neutral medical tests for asbestos related diseases obligatory can serve as examples.

The two reform bills were signed after realization that both lawyers and patients were exploiting mesothelioma lawsuits and making exaggerated claims but when it comes down to genuine cases of mesothelioma there are no problems.The settlement amount, as stated above, varies from state to state and region to region. In the south, it is estimated that most mesothelioma cases are settled for around one million. No generalizations, however, can be made on the amount of settlement money since each lawsuit is independent and the amount of settlement is dependent on the case itself.

Mesothelioma settlements can vary from anywhere between a few thousand dollars to a million. An average amount for these settlements is difficult to estimate since each case is different. There have even been cases of mass settlement where several people filed a lawsuit and ended up receiving just a few dollars each. The legitimacy of the accusations, the damage to the patient and whether or not the defendant was negligent are the three factors that help determine the final settlement amount.

The settlement could also depend, to a certain extent, on previous cases as courts have a tradition of referring to them before making their final decision.If someone finds themselves to be suffering from asbestosis or someone they know is, then they need to seek legal advice as soon as possible; time is of the essence.

By: Rita Lambros-Segur

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Your Family

Asbestos is a mineral that has been widely used in the past owing to it being very inexpensive, light, sturdy and fire-resistant. However, it naturally degrades and breaks down slowly in the form of fibers. These fibers can enter the body through inhalation and reach vital organs like lungs, the abdomen, or even the surrounding tissues of the heart and get deposited over there. Since these cannot be eliminated from the body when they get into these areas, the substance will slowly cause a variety of asbestos illness.

Asbestos was earlier used widespread for a variety of purposes. People who worked with asbestos or had regular exposure have a higher incidence of this illness. Also, the close family members of these workers who have handled asbestos also have a high incidence of illness.

Asbestos illness can manifest in many forms. Some of the most common form that occurs from exposure s include:

• Pleural Disorders
• Asbestosis
• Mesothelioma

Pleural Disorders

Asbestos illness is most commonly manifested in the lungs. This is so because these fibers have a tendency to enter the body by the person inhaling these fibers and thus resulting in their accumulation in the lungs. The entry of asbestos fibers in the lungs will cause a slow change in the tissues of the lungs, especially the lining of the lungs. This will result in decrease in lung capacity and other respiratory problems like coughing and difficulty in breathing. These pleural (lung) conditions can sometimes progress further to cause mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium layer of tissue).

Asbestosis

Another asbestos illness that can occur from asbestos exposure is asbestosis. The entry and presence of asbestos fibers for a long time in the lung will result in some changes within the tissues in which these fibers get embedded. These fibers will cause the bodily mechanisms to react to try and fight these fibers. One such body mechanism is the increase in some tissue fibers in these areas to try and engulf the foreign matter.

This is termed as fibrosis and will eventually lead to scar formation in the area and the tissues in the area become very hard as well as lose its flexibility making it difficult for action of the lungs. This causes difficulty in breathing, unrelenting cough and some amount of pain. As lung capacity goes down, oxygen supply to the parts of the body reduces thereby leading to the skin taking a bluish hue. If the symptoms worsen, the condition can cause respiratory failure and can even be fatal. Like many of the other asbestos illnesses, this condition has no cure and treatment is often just for the alleviation of symptoms.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of illness that occurs due to asbestos fibers causing problems in the mesothelium layer of tissues of organs like lungs, abdomen, heart and rarely in the testicles. This is an asbestos illness that takes years to develop following exposure to the fibers (about 20 years or more) and symptoms develop much later (30 years to 50 years following initial exposure).

There is no cure for this condition and like other asbestos illness and the treatments offered are for alleviation of existing symptoms and an attempt to prevent further spread of the condition to other areas.

By: Bob Raven

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If you are in the construction business or employed by an industry that uses products containing asbestos, you may wonder “Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye”? Generally asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it has broken down into small fibers and is inhaled. It is nearly impossible to detect the presence of asbestos without taking the material to a lab for testing. A lab technician will put the material under a microscope to search for asbestos fibers. Asbestos does not cause an immediate reaction. It will not cause you to cough, sneeze, or your eyes to water. You cannot see, smell, or taste asbestos. If you skin becomes contaminated with asbestos it will not burn or itch.

Asbestos related diseases have a very long latency period. This is the time frame from when you are first exposed to asbestos until you become ill. Most persons do not become ill for at least ten years after exposure and some not until over forty years later. Asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma are all asbestos related diseases. Asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibers enter the lungs. The body will naturally produce an acid to combat the fibers. However, this acid can cause scarring in the tissue of the lungs and in advanced stages breathing becomes more difficult and painful. Asbestosis was first documented in shipyard workers. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer. If a person smokes and is exposed to asbestos, they have a much greater chance of developing lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that has only been linked to asbestos exposure. It is a cancer of the cells that line the peritoneum (area surrounding the abdominal organs) and the pleura (area outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs).

There is a lot of debate and controversy surrounding which types of asbestos is harmful. Some types of asbestos are thought to be more dangerous than others but all types of asbestos exposure should be avoided. Actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, chrysotile (white asbestos), and tremolite are all types of asbestos. Chrysotile is the type of asbestos most commonly used in manufacturing products.

Asbestos fibers are not visible to the eye. If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, the most common method for testing is a chest x-ray. The x-ray will not show the asbestos fibers but it can spot early signs of lung disease. There is no known cure for asbestos related diseases.

By: Jeff Lakie

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A chronic medical condition, which affects the tissue of the lungs, is known as asbestosis. Mine workers and several other professionals suffers from this disease, which occurs due to heavy exposure to asbestos over a long period. Shortness of breath is the most common complaint from those affected by asbestosis and ultimately they end with various types of cancer of the lung.

During the early part of this century, the link between cancer, exposure to asbestos and asbestosis was established and the governments enforced strict safety measures. In 1929, asbestos manufacturers faced the first lawsuit. Afterwards there was a deluge of lawsuits against employers and manufacturing for neglecting the safety regulations.

According to various allegations, training and information regarding detection, removal, diseases, dangers and other issues connected with asbestos are not provided to managers and employers. To implement the wide range of regulations properly, managers and employers are pleading for relevant information and training.

From the sheer magnitude of lawsuits and complaints by people suffering from asbestosis, the liability reached billions of dollars. Many court cases fought over the issue of method and amount of compensation and their allocation. In June 1982, James Cavett, a retired boilermaker was awarded a record compensation of 2.3 million US dollars as compensation and 1.5 million US dollars as punitive damages.

In the history of the United States, one of the most expensive and longest mass torts is asbestos litigation. Currently there are 600000 claimants and 6000 defendants connected with asbestos litigation. According to the current trends, there will be a sizeable increase in the number of people being diagnosed with asbestosis during the next decade.

There was a heavy toll on industry and insurance due to the litigation connected with asbestosis and asbestos. Unfortunately, to obtain a just compensation against the employers and manufacturers of asbestos, litigation is the only recourse.

By employing a lawyer experienced in mesothelioma and asbestosis, substantial compensation can be obtained by individuals exposed to asbestos and subsequently suffering from asbestos related diseases.

In the United States, mesothelioma is known to be caused only by exposure to asbestos and by proving the exposure, which subsequently led to the disease, legal compensation can be easily won. At the same time, it should be noted that the asbestos industry fights these cases by engaging some of the best legal brain available. They not only try to deny compensation but also drag and delay the process of justice to the asbestosis victims.

By: Lucy Bartlett

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Accident Lawyers

People are affected by asbestos when they breath the micro fibers. These fibers can have long term affects to your health. There have been many cases of people coming down with Mesothelioma 20 and 30 years after being exposed to asbestos.

Asbestos is not a thing of the past. It’s still used in many manufacturing processes and well as in building components. The following is a list of the top occupations that are putting people at risk. If you work in one of these occupations, or have in the past, it’s wise to get regular screenings.

Any job that includes the manufacturing of asbestos, for example insulation, plumbing supplies, roofing components or other building materials. Mechanics are at risk due to asbestos in the brake and clutch linings. Tile contractors are at risk due to the dust from cutting some types of tile. Oil refinery workers, rail yard and power plant workers can be at risk from various sources. Shipyard and/or ship builders are at risk due to the asbestos in pipe insulation and other sources. Steel mill workers can come into contact with Asbestos from a variety of insulation and clothing. Asbestos is a great insulator and is used widely in jobs that require a person to be around high temperatures. Navy veterans can also be at risk as can Maritime workers. Construction workers can be at risk, especially those who do demolition of older buildings.

Who else should be concerned?

Brick layers, plumbers, sand blasters, sheet metal workers, millwrights, welders, painters, Longshoremen, merchant marines, grinders, electricians, drywall contractors, miners, drillers, building inspectors and maintenance personnel are a few more people who are at risk.

Remember, it doesn’t take a lot of exposure to affect your life years down the road.

You may also be putting your family at risk. There have been cases where workers family members came down with Mesothelioma even though they were nowhere near the job sites. Evidence suggests that the family members were affected by the Asbestos fibers that came in on the workers clothing, hair and/or shoes.

Get routine screenings if you’re in one of these high-risk professions and take every precaution (such as respirators and special clothing) to protect yourself and your family.

By: Donald Lawson

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Asbestos is an extremely toxic, naturally found mineral that was once used in home and boat insulation, brake pads, and floor and ceiling tiles. In around 1980 asbestos was determined to cause several life-threatening asbestos exposure-related diseases (asbestosis, lung cancer, pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma).

Asbestos fibers are inhaled and get trapped in the lungs causing scar tissue and chronic inflammatory lesions. These lesions lead to difficult breathing and in some case become cancerous.

There has been a great increase in the number of cases of pleural mesothelioma diagnosed recently because often this disease doesnt manifest until years after exposure (in some cases 40 years). This means that thousands of construction workers, drywallers, shipbuilders, floor covering installers, automobile repair workers, cementers, oil refinery workers, and many other laborers who worked with asbestos between 1940 and 1980 are at serious risk of developing asbestos exposure related illnessess such as pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer) or asbestosis.

If you think you have worked with or have been exposed to asbestos, you may be at risk for developing asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. You should contact a mesothelioma or personal injury attorney who deals especially with asbestos exposure-related diseases and mesothelioma in your area. They will almost certainly be able to help you obtain the compensation you may deserve.

In fact, despite evidence that it was dangerous, many of these companies ignored the potential risks of asbestos exposure, continuing to manufacture asbestos products without the necessary employee protection.

Starting in the 1970s the US government started to take action by restricting and regulating the use of asbestos. For many people this action came far too late. Thousands of workers in these industries have since developed serious, life-threatening asbestos exposure-related diseases, including asbestosis, pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and lung cancer. For these people, there is certianly now hope, both medically and legally. Read on to learn more about contacting a mesothelioma attorney and doctor.

By: David Barnet

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New Age Music

Mesothelioma cancer is a type of cancer that attacks the lungs and chest cavity. Also known as asbestos lung cancer, it forms deadly tumors where mesothelial cancer cells form a protective lining over the lungs, heart, and abdominal organs. It is a type of lung cancer that takes many years to develop and produce symptoms. Roughly 3,000 cases per year (mostly men over the age of 40) are reported. It is estimated that number will grow to about 300,000 cases before 2030.

Types of Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer

Epithelial mesothelioma is a rare and fatal form of cancer affecting the membrane lining of the chest cavity, heart, lungs, and abdominal cavity. There are three forms of epithelial mesothelioma: the most common is Pleural Mesothelioma, the second most common, Peritoneal Mesothelioma (accounting for only a quarter of the cases), and the rarest form, pericardial mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this disease involves the pleura, a thin membrane located between the lungs and the chest cavity. The pleura provide a lubricated surface so that the lungs do not rub and chafe against the chest walls. There are two types of pleural mesothelioma the first being ‘diffuse and malignant’. This type is cancerous and is generally fatal within a year of diagnosis. The second type is ‘localized and benign’ and is generally non-life threatening. It can usually be removed through surgery.

Lung Lining cancer is not to be confused with lung cancer. In lung lining cancer, the effected area of the body is called the mesothelium, a thin membrane that covers many of the internal organs of the body. The mesothelium of the lungs is called the pleura. Lung Lining cancer is also sometimes called mesothelioma after the area in which it occurs.

This thin membrane is comprised of two layers - one that surrounds the organ and another that forms an exterior sac around the first layer. Between the layers of the mesothelium is a fluid that allows vital organs to glide easily against objects that come in contact with them.

Localized pleural mesothelioma is not always caused by asbestos exposure. However, if it has spread to other parts of the body, for instance the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs, then it is considered malignant and is more often than not the result of asbestos exposure.

Peritoneal mesothelioma appears as a tumor in the peritoneum membrane of the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma is very rare, comprising less than a fourth of all known cases of the disease. There are no effective treatments for this condition, and most patients live less than a year after diagnosis.

Mesentery cancer is likened to peritoneal cancer (mesothelioma). This cancer primarily affects the sections of the peritoneum that attach different organs to the wall of the abdominal cavity, (i.e. mesogastrium for the stomach, mesojejunum for the jejunum). Mesentery cancer includes all abdominal peritoneal extensions. Tumors rarely originate in the actual mesentery, though it is a frequent route for the spread of mesothelioma through the abdominal cavity.

Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma, affecting the membrane around the heart (called the pericardium or pericardial sac). In this disease, solid masses and effusion (fluid) develop around the pericardium. Not all effusions are strictly related to mesothelioma.

The Causes

Mesothelioma cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or dust. Workers in the asbestos industry are prime targets for attracting this deadly disease. Asbestos fibers enter the body, either by breathing in the tiny asbestos fibers or by swallowing them. The fibers cause healthy cells to mutate into cancer. Since the body is unable to dispel these fibers, the lungs become inflamed (asbestosis). This condition worsens and eventually becomes malignant. Asbestos exposure is thought to be responsible for roughly 75% of all cases of lung lining cancer.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to detect in early stages. The early symptoms tend to be generic and even nonexistent in some cases, and it can take as much as 15 to 50 years after exposure to develop. The first symptom is often constant chest pain, followed by coughing, lung damage, and shortness of breath. Patients who have peritoneal mesothelioma (a less common form of mesothelioma) generally experience abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling, often in addition to the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. They may also develop bowel obstruction or further breathing obstruction.

Stages and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

There are three staging systems used to determine treatment for mesothelioma: Butchart System, TNM System, and the Brigham System

Butchart Staging System

The Butchart System is the oldest system and the most common. This system concentrates upon determining the extent of primary tumor mass and divides mesothelioma into four stages.

Stage I of the Butchart System consists of the presence of mesothelioma in the lining of the right or left lung and may also involve the diaphragm on the same side. Stage II includes the progression of mesothelioma into the chest wall, esophagus, or lung lining on bother sides. There may also be lymph nodes in the chest. The onset of Stage III begins when the mesothelioma surpasses the diaphragm into the lining of the abdominal cavity or peritoneum. In this stage the cancer may also affect the lymph nodes extending beyond those in the chest. Doctors identify Stage IV, the final stage, when evidence of the spread of cancer to other organs (metastasis) is confirmed.

TNM System

Stage I of the TNM System involves the lining of the right or left lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. At this stage, lymph nodes are not involved. Stage II begins when mesothelioma spreads from the lining of the lung on one side to a lymph node on the same side. At this stage, the cancer may also spread to the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. Stage III begins when mesothelioma is present in the chest wall, muscle, ribs, heart, esophagus, or other organs in the chest on the same side as the primary tumor. In the final stage, Stage IV, the mesothelioma has travelled into the lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite the primary tumor, into the lung opposite the primary tumor, or directly into the organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. Metastasis is the final result in this stage.

Brigham System

The Brigham System determines the resectability (the ability to surgically remove) the mesothelioma mass. In Stage I the tumor is resectable, while lymph nodes remain unaffected. In Stage II the tumor remains respectable but the mesothelioma affects the lymph nodes. In Stage III the tumor becomes unresectable. It has penetrated through the diaphragm, or peritoneum. Stage III can occur with or without lymph involvement and extends into the chest wall and heart. Stage IV occurs when doctors discover metastatic disease involving distant organs.

After doctors identify the stage of a patient’s malignant mesothelioma, the patient and doctor consider the various treatment options available. Mesothelioma treatment programs are contingent upon many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the location of the cancer, the spread of mesothelioma cancer, the characteristics of the cancer cells under a microscope and the patient’s age and concerns.

By: Dave Casey

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Your Family

Mesothelioma cancer is a unique and rare condition usually caused by asbestos exposure. It is a debilitating cancer with a grim prognosis, commonly associated with other respiratory complication like lung cancer or a condition known as asbestosis. Usually, the exposure occurs on job sites, specifically in construction projects dealing with the removal of insulation or tiles containing asbestos fibers or in demolition of a site that has been contaminated with a building product containing toxic asbestos matter.

Other methods of exposure to the dangerous substance can be through inhalation of particulate matter containing asbestos, long-term exposure to asbestos through time spent around insulation or other materials containing asbestos, or exposure from plumbing housed around asbestos, especially around older boilers and older buildings. This is true of most all buildings constructed before 1970; asbestos was used in several construction materials such as insulation, tiles, and roofing material.

A diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer often comes with uncertainty regarding the next steps to take. Often, many patients receiving such a diagnosis begin seeking information about their condition, possible remedies, and ways of treating the disease. This is a daunting task for anyone, but especially those under the added pressure of such a serious and often terminal illness.

Another facet of such a diagnosis centers around the fact that by and large this condition could have been prevented if the proper safety measures had been taken. This then leads to many patients attempting to seek legal council and begin development of a mesothelioma lawsuit. Indeed, mesothelioma litigation has received a significant boost in numbers over the past decade as more and more workers and others exposed to the toxic fibers begin to develop symptoms of asbestos exposure related illnesses. There are many legitimate law firms seeking to carve out a reputable name for themselves through continued pursuit of mesothelioma claims. The fact remains that because these conditions are almost always preventable, the mesothelioma law suits often end with a judgment for the plaintiff, meaning a respectable settlement ensuring quality of life continues or improves for the client.

To this end, it is important that any individual seeking to develop such litigation seek out the legal resource best suited to their needs. Many online legal resources are legitimate, though there are some dubious sites with questionable motives and potentially predatory practices. There are also many websites with no real information which exploit search engines; these sites seek only click through to generate ad revenue; these sites often appear to have relevant information but ultimately fail to provide anything of worth for the searcher. Keeping a shrewd attitude and a keen eye out will provide an individual with a quality resource for mesothelioma cancer.

By: Katie Kelley

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New Age Music

Mesothelioma cancer results from being exposed to asbestos fibers. Other diseases related to asbestos are lung cancer and asbestosis. Because of this companies using buildings that have asbestos for insulation are required by law to let people know about it and to take precautions against breathing in the fibers.

Asbestos seemed like a good choice for insulation years ago because it doesn’t conduct heat well and doesn’t melt or burn easily. It was used in floor tiles, roofing, patching compounds such as sheet rock mud. As a dust it can be breathed into the lungs. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.

Where Mesothelioma Is Located in the Body

The cancer cells are located in the chest or abdomen. Symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling in the abdomen. These symptoms are not a guarantee of the disease but are important to see a doctor to find out if they represent mesothelioma. If you have worked on a job where asbestos was present these symptoms are to be taken very seriously to get early treatment.

Your doctor will be able to look internally to discover whether the symptoms are representative of mesothelioma. This test is usually done in the hospital. If abnormal cells are found, a biopsy will be taken. A biopsy is a small piece of what is found so it can be studied under a microscope.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, treatment must be given. Many components affect the survival rate of the person with the disease. As with anything, age can be a factor. Some people respond more positively
to treatment. Where the disease is located has an impact on survival of it.

By: Janie Jenkins

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