Thursday, October 16, 2008

Asbestos Cancer: What You Need to Know

Asbestos Cancer

Gone are the days when the term 'mesothelioma' was not familiar with the masses. These days just a mention of the word brings about uncomfortable picture of factories and mines scattered with asbestos and the hapless victims working over there in dangerous conditions. More insight is thrown into the plight of mesothelioma patients owing to the concern of medical professionals, researchers and other organizations. Still there is a long way to go regarding the early diagnosis and treatment of the fatal condition.

Mesothelioma is commonly referred to as Asbestos Cancer. This is an aggressive cancer which is caused mainly due to the inhalation of dangerous asbestos fibers. The disease affects the mesothelium, a protective two layered membrane which covers the internal organs like lungs, heart and abdominal organs. Between these layers, the cells produce fluid which helps in the easy movement of the internal organs. Mesothelium can affect any of these cells. Most of the victims are usually older individuals since the disease takes almost 25 to 50 years to develop. Even washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos can prove fatal.

The symptoms of the disease include shortness of breath, chest wall pain, weight loss etc. Chest X-ray and CT scan can be used as diagnostic tools and the disease can be confirmed with a biopsy and microscopic examination. In spite of treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, complete cure of the disease is not possible. Researchers are trying their utmost for the early detection of mesothelioma. Other treatment options are gene therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy etc. Since it is very difficult to diagnose the disease in the early stages, the symptoms are quite serious. Later diagnosis means the cancer must have spread making treatment unsuccessful.

Statistics prove that the disease mostly affected men between the ages of 50 and 70 who were employed in asbestos companies before awareness was created in the 1970s. Second hand exposure to asbestos has resulted in more diagnoses of the cases among women, whose family members worked with asbestos. The residents of the localities where asbestos mines and companies are located are also prone to the disease. Shipyard workers, electricians, plumbers, construction industry workers, pipe fitters etc are also in the danger zone.

The reason for this illness is usually lack of protection given to those work with asbestos. If the employers properly take care of the health of the workers the disease can be prevented to a large extent. Even though there is no complete cure for the disease, the helpless victims can avail many options for support. It is the duty of the family and friends to stand with the victim during this terrible time. Legal help can also be sought very easily these days. But it is important to contact a qualified mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.

If you want to know more about Mesothelioma Cancer then feel free to visit Mesothelioma Information.

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Asbestos Cancer: Asbestos Cancer Attorneys

Asbestos Cancer

Prolonged exposure to asbestos can give rise to lung cancer. Asbestos cancer attorneys are lawyers who represent victims who have contracted this dreadful disease through prolonged contact with asbestos. Their aim is to obtain compensation for their clients from those responsible for causing the damage.

The asbestos cancer lawyers have forcefully and fruitfully fought for asbestos workers and their families. There are a large number of cancer attorney firms in the US, with a sizeable number of asbestos claimants, and they have won substantial compensation for their affected clients. Asbestos cancer attorneys usually employ top medical professionals and scientists to assist them in developing a case.

These attorneys are devoted to making sure that each of their clients obtains the consideration his or her case is worthy of. If one is suffering from cancer due to extensive exposure to asbestos, the straightforward reality is that the more clients the attorneys stand for, the better the chance of negotiating with the companies that caused the dreaded disease.

According to the National Cancer Institute, around 3,000 cases of malignant cancer from asbestos exposure are being reported in the United States each year, and the occurrence seems to be rising. The syndrome is three times more widespread in men than in women. In men, the incidence of asbestos related cancer is ten times higher in men between the ages of 60 and 70 than in men between the ages of 30 and 40. Work-related exposure to asbestos over the past fifty years in the United States is estimated to have happened to roughly eight million people, and up to 300,000 new cases are anticipated to take place by the year 2030.

An exceptional characteristic of asbestos-connected cancer is the long latency phase between exposure to asbestos and the beginning of the disease.

Asbestos Attorneys provides detailed information on Asbestos Attorneys, Asbestos Cancer Attorneys, Asbestos Litigation Attourneys, Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorneys and more. Asbestos Attorneys is affiliated with Asbestos Trial Lawyers.

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Asbestos Cancer: Your Protection from the Law and Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Asbestos Cancer

Asbestos-related cancers include asbestosis and mesothelioma which have their roots in exposure to fibrous asbestos materials. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium which is the membrane that lines parts of the body organs. There are three main organs where mesothelium is found in relatively high content and each has its own name in relation to the part of the body. For example, mesothelium found in the linings of the lungs is called the pleura which are also rated as among the most common mesothelioma cancer. Peritoneum is the mesothelium that surrounds the abdominal cavity and the pericardium is the one that lines the heart.

Cancers observed in these linings are rare but the incidence has nevertheless, bulged excessively in recent years. This is not because there is too little risk of developing cancer but only because the risks only increase overtime and the development of the cancer is very slow; usually it takes 20 to 30 years of development before someone is diagnosed with asbestosis or mesothelioma.

The victims, mostly middle aged and older men, were exposed some decades ago. Those people who also have direct contact with these people may possibly develop mesothelioma. This is why it is often difficult to establish a lawsuit as this requires a very long and tedious processes. Fundamental research must be made and the exact culprit must be discovered before cone can actually have high chances of wining a lawsuit. Eventually, men who have worked in places like shipyards and other maritime workplaces, industrial worksites and places where high exposure to mesothelioma have filed lawsuits against the companies they once worked for.

There are many commonalities with regards to lawsuits and mesothelioma. First, the client must get an attorney who will go over the details from some decades past. Very unfortunately, the process of mesothelioma lawsuits is very long and might even take years. This is because the reason of exposure to asbestos is not enough to win the lawsuit. The asbestos attorney must ascertain the exact details of exposure, from the date it is believed to have begun to the types of exposure and the exact products, elements and events that lead to the exposure. Also, it must be proven that the company the victim worked for had willingly allowed or forced their workmen to work in asbestos-exposed sites in spite of the company's knowledge of the risks to make a strong case.

Companies are becoming more efficient at winning lawsuits to the increased number of asbestos lawsuits in the past recent years. Because of this, it is highly possible to lose a claim if not backed by strong evidences and a good case. This is why it is advisable to file lawsuit in groups.

There are various options for filing lawsuits on asbestos cancer and mesothelioma. These include filing an individual lawsuit through a reputable attorney, do it yourself filing of a case, and filing of a lawsuit as a member of a group.

If you are quite not sure of what to do, it is best to seek professional advice from a mesothelioma attorney or personal injury attorney to get advice on what actions to take. Mesothelioma and asbestos cancer law suits are really complex and require much expertise. And remember that you are facing rather large companies who have high willingness to win the case. But keep in mind that hiring a mesothelioma attorney does not mean that you will have to face a long trial. You could also end up with an out of court settlement for the convenience of both parties.

What's good about filing an asbestos cancer and mesothelioma lawsuit is that you don't have to worry about out-of-pocket-expenses, even with an ongoing trial, because personal injury attorneys are paid on the basis of contingency. They will only be paid if they win the case.

Thus, even if the process is tiresome, you still have some chances to put justice in the right order through filing a mesothelioma and asbestos cancer lawsuit.

Asbestos Cancer: Asbestos Cancer and Mesothelioma Law Settlement

Asbestos Cancer

Asbestos is a material popularly used for fireproofing and insulation in domestic and industrial places. However, many have changed their mind these days about using asbestos since it causes certain cancers including asbestosis and mesothelioma.

This happens when a certain amount of asbestos fiber is inhaled which builds up overtime depending on the degree of exposure. Asbestos fiber, which often comes from dilapidated things that contain asbestos materials, does not leave the body of the victim and therefore, a cure has been discovered. However, the development of the diseases needs a long time, even taking decades before any symptoms occur. This is why many asbestos, mesothelioma, and personal injury law suits relating to asbestos are filed only after 20 years or so. Normally, jobs such as mining, working or living in rather old buildings, shipyards, construction sites and other industrial settings expose workers to high doses of asbestos.

Anyone with good grounds of filing an asbestos or mesothelioma law suit, is entitled to bring their case to justice. But this does not imply that everyone will win their case. In fact, the majority of mesothelioma and asbestos law suits end up in settlements.

What exactly is an asbestos or mesothelioma settlement?

Basically, settlement is a process by which the actual trial is cut off to give way to what the two parties have decided without the law interfering. This entitles the victim or victims to receive the compensation, depending on the agreement consented by the parties involved. This will help the victim to recover from any damages, loss or injuries incurred in relation to the effects of exposure to asbestos.

The federal government has issued certain restrictions as to the amount and use of asbestos in a workplace. The OSHA has also outlined that 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter asbestos during a span of eight working hours is the maximum level of exposure while there should only be 1 fiber per cubic centimeter every thirty minutes. This of course will eliminate the possibility of developing any sortsof cancer and diseases related to asbestos exposure. As we have mentioned a while back, there should be a certain degree of exposure to be met before one gets the risk of cancer. There are also a number of protective measures that must be practiced in order to assure the good working condition in an environment with possible asbestos exposure.

If the criteria were not met or there are certain details that were willfully overlooked, it is possible that one could have a good case against the authorities concerned. But again, many of the cases filed in the court do not even reach the actual trial. Some parties decide at the very early stages of filing the case to agree on settlement. This will be very convenient for both parties considering that the settlement will only be settled once the defendant/s and the prosecution arrive at a single contract.

To make the settlement work, the victim must file a case through a qualified asbestos attorney. The latter knows the rules well and will help a great deal in maximizing the interest of the victim or victims to obtain a higher chance of increasing a fair settlement.

During the settlement, the victim must prove and convince the other party that he or she will win. If not, then the other party won't have any interest and may even settle for a long trial where he is sure to win. Nonetheless, personal injury attorneys know other techniques that will make the most out of the case, regardless if he stands by the defendant's or victim's side.

Also, it must be proven that the defendant showed enough negligence that lead to unwanted circumstances, such as that of asbestosis or mesothelioma and sometimes even death. Further, damages caused by the asbestos-related incidences must be calculated and thus be compensated by the amount of the settlement.

The compensation a victim will receive varies depending on many factors including the laws in the state where the case was filed, the losses which may have direct or indirect relation to asbestos exposure, the types of injuries, the people responsible, the party's credibility, the value of the verdict, the manner by which the case was presented, the status of the attorneys and many others. The amount varies anywhere from several thousand dollars to several million. The latter happens more frequently with group cases where there are lots of victims involved.

If you want to file your case related to asbestos, it is best that you consult a professional first and seek legal advice; he would give you better perspectives on the case and will help you arrive with a fair settlement.

Asbestos Cancer: Finding an Attorney for Asbestos Cancer - Mesothelioma Cases

Asbestos Cancer

Asbestos was used extensively in various industries during the 1900's. This is primarily because of the fact that asbestos has a high tensile strength and that it is fire and heat proof. However, people today are beginning to find out about the price of using such a substance. One of the worst things that people can get from exposure to asbestos is mesothelioma.

What exactly is mesothelioma? It is actually a form of cancer which almost always results from exposure to asbestos. The problem with mesothelioma is that the symptoms do not appear until 20-50 years after exposure to asbestos. Because of this, you might have some trouble bringing those responsible for the illness to justice. Getting an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma is quite essential if you want to succeed in your quest.

Today there are more than 600,000 litigants involved in asbestos cases in the US. Consequently, a lot of lawyers, whether capable or not, attempt to gather as many clients as they can in order to get their hands on some cold cash. This means that you really need to examine many an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma in order to find one that can actually help you.

What qualities should you look for when getting an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma?

1) Experience - you need an attorney who has enough experience in dealing with a case like yours. "Experience" here refers to the number of asbestos litigation cases that the lawyer has handled, not to the number of years that he has had the label "Attorney-At-Law". By getting an experienced attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma, you will have a number of advantages. For one thing, an experienced attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma knows his or her way around the courtroom and will thus be able to find you the type of solution you want. It is also the case that inexperienced lawyers will not be able to meet all of your needs as a client. By getting an experienced attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma, you will be able to find someone who can understand you situation and who knows exactly what to do to comfort you and help you.

2) Know-how - The best thing that experience can be combined with would be knowledge. Knowledge enables a person to truly find solutions to problems. When you think about it, the only reason you are actually hiring a lawyer anyway is because he or she knows more about the law than you do. If you knew as much as the lawyer did, would you be spending to hire an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma? You need to make sure that the attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma you hire will actually know how to defend you. Experience may give layers the gut instinct that allows them to survive in critical situations, but know-how is what they use when their instincts take over.

What should you do next? Here are some things you should remember:

1) Get a proper medical exam - even if you have found the best attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma, if you have no proper proof of the illness then you have no case. It is actually best if you get an attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma even if all you have is a suspicion. The attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma you get will require you to get a thorough medical exam to see if you do have the illness in question.

2) Negotiate fees - some lawyers base their fees on how big a case they think yours is. Before signing a contract, you should definitely try to negotiate your fees properly. Consider the various expenses that you may face and do try to make sure that everything you pay the attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma you hire is properly accounted for. Another issue that you should definitely address would be the issue of payment. There are lawyers which will allow you to defer payments until the end of the case. This will help you concentrate on the case and not on the bills. However, you should also realize a debt is still a debt, especially if you sign for it. You need to make sure that the attorney for asbestos cancer or mesothelioma you get is honest enough to at least charge you the right amount.


Asbestos Cancer: Laryngeal Cancer and Asbestos- Does Asbestos Exposure Lead to Laryngeal Cancer?

Asbestos Cancer

A very rare disease, laryngeal cancer or cancer of the larynx is believed to have been caused by exposure to asbestos. However, recent medical literature suggests that asbestos exposure is a possible risk factor but no substantial data that can prove the exact relation of asbestos with laryngeal cancer. But this still does not change the fact that in the future, certain data could establish the possibility that asbestos could really lead to laryngeal cancer.

There are a number of asbestos-related diseases that might develop once an individual is exposed sufficiently to high degrees of asbestos fiber. This is because exposure to asbestos works on the dosage-response principle where only a certain quantity must be met before one's health reaches the hazard point. Otherwise, the person is safe, at least for a while. But continuous exposure even to low levels of asbestos fiber might still end up developing diseases.

The latency period of most asbestos cancer, including laryngeal cancer, is somewhere between 20 to 50 years. The minimum length of time is 5 years. So this means that symptoms of laryngeal cancer or any cancer, will only surface after several years of the first infliction. This is the main reason why most patients of asbestos-related cancers are not aware of their diseases in the early stages of it.

Everyone who has close contact with asbestos may possibly inhale asbestos fiber. But those who are most exposed will likely develop diseases faster. However, exposure alone is not reason enough for a person to contract a disease. As we have earlier said, one should be exposed to a relatively high level of asbestos fiber before his or her body begins to react. With continuous exposure one's at a greater risk of being ill 20 to 50 years ahead. Even families of the person who were directly in contact with asbestos fiber might suffer from risk factors.

Laryngeal cancer begins from the infection of the larynx. This is the passageway of both air and food during breathing and swallowing. Anyone who is exposed to asbestos-filled air runs the risk of taking in asbestos fiber which might be trapped in the larynx and the succeeding passages of the air or the food. Unfortunately, there is no way to remove the asbestos fiber from the body of the victim once it has entered.

Asbestos kills some thousands of people every year. Most of these have worked in mines, shipyards, factories, and construction sites and many come from people who have family embers working in these industries. Every year, however, there are around 10,000 people diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and almost half of them die due to the cancer. Because laryngeal cancer and asbestos are considered as occupational diseases, men are likely to develop the disease more than women since nearly all occupations using asbestos are dominated by men.

The average age of individuals diagnosed with laryngeal cancer is somewhere around 50 years old to 70 years old and above. This further establishes the relationship between asbestos and laryngeal cancer since both require nearly the same period of latency. Period of latency is the length of time for the full maturation of the disease. Also, it has been noted that asbestos can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer alongside the more dominating ill effects of smoking.

Further, other asbestos diseases and larynx cancer have the same symptoms such as hoarseness of the voice, lumps in the affected areas due to tumors, observed development of cancerous cells, ear pain, difficulty of swallowing and breathing, persistent coughing and sore throat.

Several treatment options for laryngeal cancer and asbestos are chemotherapy for more aggravated diseases, radiation therapy that removes immature cancer cells and small tumors, surgery for both small and large tumors, combination of CAMS or Complementary and Alternative Medicines, and life modification practices.

To know more of your options for treatment it is wisest to seek more comprehensive medical advice. Seek a specialist in asbestos or laryngeal cancer to know more about your disease.

Asbestos Cancer: Asbestos Legislation

Asbestos Cancer

Since the introduction of the first Asbestos bill in Congress some 30 years ago, the scenario has changed tremendously. The number of claims that are filed today are many times greater than in previous years. Of these numerous cases, some hold the stand of real human sufferings while others hold the place of real forged means. This has made the efforts of legislation tougher and has initiated the need to implement certain general rules for all the people who are suffering or have suffered from the carcinogenic Asbestos exposure.

On May 26, 2005, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would establish a $140 billion fund for a no-fault, administrative program to provide compensation to the people afflicted with Asbestos-induced disease. The trial lawyers protested for the low amount being put for the victims of Asbestos, while the experts benefited their stand by commenting that it was not to be inclusive for the fraudulent cases. Many states in America are taking crucial and well-designed steps to prevent legal fraud.

Asbestos is a carcinogen to humans. It is a highly particulating fiber. When pressed with the hand, microscopic dust is released and is inhaled into the lungs. This produces a number of diseases relating to the lungs, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is one of the most common diseases associated with asbestos. There is much litigation surrounding mesothelioma.

To this day asbestos exists. It is near the end of being phased out from all public use. However, the fiber is more or less a naturally occuring substance, so it will never be completely eradicated.

Asbestos provides detailed information on asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos is affiliated with Lung Cancer Stages.

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