What is mesothelioma?
Most Americans are probably not quite sure what mesothelioma is. Many though, can probably associate the word mesothelioma with an attorney or possible litigation. As I flip through the channels on my television set, I too, notice that mesothelioma is frequently mentioned by law firms. However, the focus of this article is to educate the public on what mesothelioma is.
Mesothelioma can either be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous) in nature. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium, hence mesothelioma. What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a type of tissue lined with special cells referred to as mesothelial cells. The mesothelial cells typically line the abdominal cavity, heart cavity, chest cavity, and the outer surface of most internal organs. Each cavity has a specific name for the mesothelial covered cavity which is:
Peritoneum: abdominal cavity
Pleura: chest cavity
Pericardium: heart cavity
The mesothelium has a specific purpose in the body. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that allows easy movement of the organs. The pleural mesothelium for example, allows the lungs to move easily with each breath that is taken. Without this, breathing would be a difficult and possibly painful process.
Many refer to malignant mesothelioma as simply, mesothelioma. There are three main types of malignant mesothelioma ranked from less likely to more commonly seen:
Sarcomatoid
Mixed/Biphasic
Epithelioid
Malignant mesothelioma more commonly begins in the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma). Approximately 10-20% of the cases of malignant mesothelioma will begin in the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma). Malignant mesothelioma rarely begins in the cavity surrounding the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
Malignant Mesothelioma Statistics:
Mesothelioma is a very rare cancer estimated to affect 2,000-3,000 newly diagnosed cases annually in the U.S. The United States reported an increased rate of mesothelioma from 1970 to 1990, which has currently stabilized and possibly decreased. However, European countries continue to see an increase in the rate of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is commonly seen in the ages 65 years and older but increases with age. Mesothelioma is 5 times more likely to affect men than women. Mesothelioma is more common in the Caucasian nationality than African American.
Mesothelioma is a very serious cancer. Symptoms commonly do not appear early which causes mesothelioma to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. For this reason, mesothelioma has a low survival rate that is about 1-2 years. However, cancer research is slowly changing this statistic. Learn more about what risk factors predispose you to mesothelioma.
Researching Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer that is unfortunately getting more and more common today. It has recently been positively linked with the mineral asbestos and people who worked with this noxious mineral in the 50s, 60s and 70s are now finding that they are high risk for developing Mesothelioma. Since mesothelioma lung cancer in most cases was preventable and work environment related, many folks find themselves searching for mesothelioma lawyers to handle their specific cases. Finding the best mesothelioma attorney is very important.
Asbestos is a fibrous material that releases a large amount of dust and fibre particles when it is disturbed i.e. every time it is moved. These tiny fibrous particles are able to float in the atmosphere and are thus easily breathed in by anyone in the vicinity. When they are inhaled they become imbedded in the mesothelium, which is the soft lining tissue that covers and protects the major organs of the body, most importantly the heart, lungs and stomach.
· Pleural mesothelioma affects the lungs · Pericardial mesothelioma affects the heart · Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the stomachIn most cases the lungs are affected first because contaminated air reaches them with every breathe however over time some fibres will leave the lungs and travel in the blood stream to the heart while other fibres will bypass the trachea that leads to the lungs and will instead travel down the oesophagus to the stomach. The extent to which the asbestos fibres travel to other organs in the body depends on the length of time that a person spends in contact with asbestos and how contaminated the air is that is being inhaled.
Each of the three forms of mesothelioma has its own set of symptoms however these are generally non-specific and can be caused by a number of other medical conditions that are not nearly as serious as cancer. Thus many family doctors initially misdiagnose mesothelioma, especially when the sufferer fails to mention the fact that they worked with asbestos earlier in their life. The symptoms of the disease can take up to 50 years to become apparent however in many cases a mesothelioma victim will begin to experience some form of discomfort within 30 years. The exact number of years will again depend on how long the victim was exposed to the asbestos fibres for and their general state of health throughout life. Unfortunately in many cases the sufferer doesn't know they have mesothelioma until it has already reached a late stage and it is past curable treatment.
It is thought that between 75% and 85% of all mesothelioma cases have a history of exposure to asbestos, but what about the remaining cases? Sadly it is not only the people who physically worked with the asbestos that can later develop the disease – people who lived with or indeed still live with the worker i.e. close family and even friends, and people who didn't actually work with the material but worked on the same site can also develop the deadly disease. Many of these workers may not have known there was asbestos in the places where they worked and so today most would not consider themselves high risk for developing mesothelioma.
There were hundreds of occupations that used to regularly involve exposure to asbestos including construction working, automotive mechanic, cement finishers, furnace workers, electricians, insulators, painters and plasterers, roofers and even Navy veterans however today the regulations have been greatly improved so that anybody working with asbestos has to wear protective equipment, including breathing apparatus. For people who are already afflicted with mesothelioma there is hope in the form of monetary compensation and many thousands of asbestos workers are now successfully suing their former employers for millions of dollars each year. Although this won't help them to cure their illness it will help them to live comfortable lives while also leaving something behind for their loved ones.
Finding the best mesothelioma attorney is very important if you expect to be successful in your claim. Today there are many mesothelioma lawyers who are very qualified in this area of law and you should research them carefully. Since these lung cancer cases require special expertise, you need to make sure the mesothelioma attorney you choose knows the laws in your state and has handled many mesothelioma court case in the past.
Filing A Mesothelioma Lawsuit
The first thing to remember about filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is that you have to act quickly. Each state operates within a statute of limitation, which means that those affected by this disease have a certain time within which to act. These statutes of limitation apply to both affected parties and to relations that may be filing a mesothelioma lawsuit in the event that the affected party has already passed away. The faster you act with regards to getting legal assistance the better. Filing your mesothelioma lawsuit as early as possible could make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful compensation claim.
Many people worry about the cost of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, but the majority of mesothelioma lawyers and law firms now operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients do not have to pay any money up front, and the lawyer takes his fee from any compensation awarded as a result of the mesothelioma lawsuit. If no compensation is awarded, then you do not have to pay any fees for the legal action that has been taken.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will be able to offer advice on the likely success of your mesothelioma lawsuit based upon your own individual circumstances. Although it is impossible to predict how much will be awarded as part of the mesothelioma lawsuit, an experienced lawyer will be able to draw on experience from past cases to give you an idea of how much you might get. The compensation received as a result of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is designed to cover a range of costs. Compensation often runs into six figures for claimants, and this is to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and also to secure a financially stable future for their families. Although the exact compensation awarded can vary from one lawsuit to another, a mesothelioma lawyer will aim to get as much compensation as possible for an affected client.
Taking early action when filing a mesothelioma lawsuit could really benefit you, and will enable your mesothelioma lawyer to collate all the necessary facts and information in order to put together a watertight case. This can make a big difference to the success of your mesothelioma lawsuit, and acting quickly will help to ensure that your case is actioned within the time limitations set by the state. Although thinking about legal action can be difficult when you have been diagnosed with a cancer such as mesothelioma, it is important to seek legal assistance as soon as possible following diagnosis. This is to ensure that you and your loved ones stand as high a chance as possible of getting the compensation to which you are entitled.
About - Abdominal Cavity, Chest Cavity, Malignant Mesothelioma
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