Mesothelioma Lawyers

Mesothelioma FAQs

2006-06-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. When mesothelioma cancer spreads the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal. These malignant cells begin to divide and spread without order and can begin to affect organs and tissues in the immediate area. This often leads to complications in the surrounding organs. Most patients diagnosed with the disease are given eight to twelve months to live. Even with early detection and the best treatment, the average five-year survival rate is only 20 percent.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Most cases of mesothelioma are related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs as a long thin fiber in the environment. Some of the occupations that exposed workers to asbestos directly or indirectly are those involving carpentry, demolition, factory work, insulation, shipbuilding, installation of brake linings in vehicles, and many others. Despite efforts to eliminate asbestos from our environment, many public and private buildings still contain asbestos today.
What are the Symptoms?
Mesothelioma develops at a slow rate, making it difficult for people to know when they have it. The first symptoms are often shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, cough, nausea, pain in the abdomen, or anemia. All of these symptoms are also caused by less serious illnesses, which makes it difficult to recognize the disease in its early stages.
Is there a Cure?
While there is no cure at this time for this fatal cancer, new treatments have been remarkably successful in extending both the quantity and quality of life of mesothelioma victims. Most mesothelioma victims diagnosed with the disease are given eight to twelve months to live. Even with early detection and the best treatment, the average five-year survival rate is only about 20 percent. The National Cancer Institute reports that although reported incidence rates of mesothelioma have increased in the past 20 years, it is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Though mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, it can appear in either men or women at any age. Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 to 80 percent of all cases.
How can you treat Mesothelioma Victims?
The treatment options for mesothelioma depend on many factors, including: where the cancer is, the stage of the cancer, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, and the patient's age and desires. Mesothelioma is more treatable when diagnosed early. Treatment options include Tri-modality Therapy, Surgery, Radiation Therapy, Alternative Medicine, Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy Clinical Trials, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), Gene Therapy, Drug Therapy ,Pain Control and Management, and Miscellaneous Treatments.
Who Can Help?
The law firm of Paul, Hanley & Harley has offices located throughout California, including Berkeley, Westlake Village (Los Angeles), San Francisco, and San Diego, and our California malignant mesothelioma lawyers handle cases in courts throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, and across the United States. To learn more about mesothelioma, treatment options, or the California malignant mesothelioma asbestos cancer attorneys at Paul, Hanley & Harley, please contact us today for a free confidential consultation. For immediate assistance call us toll free at 1-800-933-2244
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Miscellaneous Treatments

2006-06-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of a few other treatments that have been used for mesothelioma:
Hemotherapy - is therapy through blood, serum, or plasma transfusion.
Intra-pleural interferon gamma - is the direct administration of the anti-cancer drug Interferon Gamma.
Immunotherapy - is used to treat cancer by helping the immune system fight the disease.
Centesis - Pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial fluid is tapped and evaluated. Used both for diagnosis and to relieve pressure, pain, and fullness in the chest or abdominal areas.
Talc Pleurodesis - Inserting surgical talc in the pleural space, likely through a thoracotomy incision, to stiffen the pleura and prevent the fluid from re-accumulating. Used if pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial fluid continues to accumulate
The following is a list of medicines that have shown some potential for treatment in a small number of patients:
Doxycycline - A commonly used antibiotic has shown tumor-inhibiting properties on mesothelial cell lines.
Lovastatin - A cholesterol-lowering drug has shown promise in a small number of patients as well.
Megace - A synthetic hormone has been used to lower the production of cancer-stimulating hormones.
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Chemotherapy

2006-06-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

Chemotherapy agents are medicines that kill cancer cells. They may be used on their own, before or after surgery, or along with radiation. Chemotherapy is often used instead of surgery when a tumor is inoperable. To get chemotherapy, the patient usually goes to the doctor's office or the hospital, where he/she is either given medicine to take orally, or the medicine administered through an IV tube. Side effects of chemotherapy are common, and they include nausea, vomiting, weakness, and fatigue. The efficacy of chemotherapy as a single agent in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma has been limited
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Mesothelioma Treatment

2006-06-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

What Can Someone with Mesothelioma Do?
While mesothelioma is still known as a disease that spreads quickly and is usually fatal, new treatments have been remarkably successful in some cases. If you have mesothelioma you should:
Seek the best and most up-to-date information on the disease.
Seek the best medical care.
Consider legal action because of this asbestos-related injury.
Utilize community resources and medical support groups, asbestos victims' organizations, religious organizations, and family and friends.

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma

2006-06-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma, which is mesothelioma of the heart, known as the pericardium, may include the following:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath - hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, coughing up blood.
Palpitations

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

2006-06-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, which is mesothelioma of the abdominal lining, known as the peritoneum, may include the following:
Weight loss - waist may however increase in size.
Pain or swelling in the abdomen - fluid retention or tumor growth.
Bowel obstruction - blockage in the small or large intestine.
Anemia - a reduction in the number of red blood cells to below normal.
Fever

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

2006-06-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, which is mesothelioma of the lining of the lungs and chest, known as the pleura, may include the following:
Shortness of breath - hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, coughing up blood.
Pleural effusion - a build up of too much fluid between the pleura (lining of the lungs and chest); a pleural effusion may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Pain in the chest - may sometimes be felt in upper abdomen, shoulder, or arm.
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Mesothelioma Symptoms

2006-06-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

What are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma develops at a slow rate, making it difficult for people to know when they have it. Malignant mesothelioma may not manifest itself in any noticeable health problems until 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos. The first symptoms of mesothelioma are often shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, cough, nausea, pain in the abdomen, or anemia. All of these symptoms may also be caused by less serious illnesses, which makes it difficult to recognize the disease in its early stages. Though mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, it can appear in either men or women at any age. Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 to 80 percent of all cases.

Types of Mesothelioma

2006-06-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

Pericardial, Peritoneal, and Pleural Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that arises in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is made up of parietal and visceral membranes, which are thin layers of tissue that surround organs and body cavities. The visceral membrane surrounds the organ, and the parietal membrane is a sac that covers the visceral membrane. Together, the visceral and parietal membranes make up the mesothelium. The mesothelium covers various organs in the body protecting them and allowing organs to move against each other as the lungs expand and contract or the heartbeats. Mesothelioma is referred to by different names depending on what part of the body it is found in. In the abdomen, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma; in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma; in the heart, it is called pericardial mesothelioma.
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New Jersey Mesothelioma Lawyer / Attorney

2006-06-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

New Jersey Mesothelioma Lawyer / Attorney
Asbestos exposure has been subject of intense litigation for more than 30 years and it continues to hold a prominent place in courthouses throughout the United States. People who worked in the asbestos industry, in chemical and petrochemical facilities, in plastics manufacturing, at shipyards and at power plants are the largest group that has brought suit. But many other occupations were also asbestos exposed, such as carpenters, laborers, plumbers and pipe fitters. Asbestos exposure can cause a number of diseases. Asbestosis (scarring of lung tissue and/or scarring of the pleura (the outside lining of the lung)), is the most common. Asbestosis is not cancer, but it can be fatal.
Asbestos also causes lung cancer, especially when the asbestos exposed individual was also a cigarette smoker. And, asbestos also causes mesothelioma, which is a cancer that starts in the outside lining of the lung (the pleura) or the outside lining of the stomach (the peritoneum). Mesothelioma is always fatal.
Shapiro and Sternlieb are associated with lawyers that have been involved in asbestos litigation since its infancy and they have represented thousands of mesothelioma and asbestos disease victims. If you are looking for an asbestos or mesothelioma lawyer, we can help. Located in Manalapan, New Jersey, our attorney services extend to the Newark, Princeton, East Brunswick, Freehold, Wall, Red Bank & Elizabeth New Jersey areas. If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos, has contracted lung cancer or has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact us today for a free consultation.
source: http://www.shapirosternlieb.com/new-jersey-mesothelioma-lawyer.html

Mesothelioma Lawyers

2006-06-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

These lawyers and law firms often deal exclusively with mesothelioma victims and their families who wish to claim compensation from the companies that were responsible for their exposure to asbestos. These mesothelioma lawsuits often result in millions of dollars for the victims when handled by an experienced lawyer or law firm.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have every right to file a lawsuit. Many of the companies responsible for exposing workers to asbestos were well aware of its dangers and effects, but still saw fit to let their workers continue with little or no protection against the dust and fibers that emanated from this hazardous material. Now, decades later, the effects of this exposure is taking its toll on American workers just as they reach their golden years. These workers are entitled to compensation and justice for their pain, suffering and loss of life. A mesothelioma lawsuit can provide them with such justice.

Questioned Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Lawyer

2006-06-25T12:15:00.000-07:00

Questioned Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Lawyer:
1.A very important question to ask is how expenses and attorney fees will be handled for the case. The process is not fast -- preparation for the trial and then the trial itself -- will take many months (or even years).
During this time, there will be thousands of dollars of initial costs associated with preparing for the trial, such as travel, hiring expert witnesses, depositions, etc. Ordinarily, the attorney who represents you advances these initial costs that are associated with the preparation and trial.
Most attorney fees in these cases are based on contingency fee contracts. This means that the lawyers receive a percentage of the amount the victim recovers if the suit is successful. If the suit is not successful, then the attorneys earn no fee.

2.The next thing to ask is what is involved in this kind of lawsuit. You want to get an overview of the process, and what your role will be in it. You also want to get a sense of how good a communicator the attorney is.
Finally, a lot is at stake financially in these lawsuits. Therefore, it is ordinarily a good idea to interview a number of attorneys before you make a final decision about who will represent you. Consider trying to get at least two or three recommendations so you can make the best decision for you..

Mesothelioma Lawyers

2006-06-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Lawyers
Today, there are many mesothelioma lawyers to choose from. The number of lawyers and law firms handling these lawsuits is on the rise. Many of these lawyers have dealt with numerous mesothelioma lawsuits and have a good deal of experience and knowledge about the disease. Those looking for a mesothelioma lawyer should chooser someone that has proven experience in the field. Most reputable lawyers will be happy to provide facts and figures on previous cases that they have handled. However, these lawyers often do not provide private information that might be subject to confidentiality. They can, however, provide you with details on how quickly cases were resolved, how much compensation was successfully obtained and how many mesothelioma lawsuits they have dealt with.

It is important that you find a good, experienced mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed with the disease. Most states have a set time limit in which you can file your lawsuit, and it is very important that you not miss that deadline known as a statute of limitations. Otherwise you may find that you are ineligible to make a claim. You also need to give your lawyer as much time as possible to do the necessary research and put together a solid and case against the negligent parties. In short, the earlier you get to a mesothelioma lawyer, the better your chances of success.