Mesothelioma Facts & Information

More than 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the United States. Mesothelioma is a rare asbestos cancer that most frequently affects veterans, industrial workers, construction workers, shipyard workers, and those who worked in manufacturing and have a history with asbestos exposure.

Companies that produced and sold asbestos products knew that they were putting workers at risk for developing mesothelioma and other diseases, yet they failed to warn people about the dangers of their products.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease such as lung cancer, you may be entitled to compensation from these companies.

Schedule a free consultation today with the dedicated New York mesothelioma attorneys at Belluck & Fox to learn about your legal rights. One of the partners in our firm will contact you personally within 24 hours to discuss your claim. We have New York office located at Woodstock and NYC.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a deadly carcinogen used in a wide range of household materials and industrial products. Since the 1940s, millions of workers have been exposed to asbestos on the job, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Many people also faced secondhand exposure, such as family members who handled these workers’ uniforms.

Some of the job sites that have the highest risk factors for workers include:

Anyone exposed to asbestos could have inhaled or ingested microscopic fibers that lodged in the mesothelium tissue lining the lungs, chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and other organs. These fibers can stay in the body for years, causing scarring and irritation, before they develop into the cancer mesothelioma. In fact, a person many not develop mesothelioma until 60 years after he or she was originally exposed to asbestos.

Types of Mesothelioma

There are four types of mesothelioma, and they are classified by what part of the body they affect:

• Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of this cancer. It affects the pleura tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second-most common type, affecting the tissue lining the abdominal cavity and the abdominal organs.
• Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of asbestos cancer, affecting the lining of the heart.
• Testicular mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis, is the rarest form of the disease, affecting the testicles.

In addition to mesothelioma information, asbestos has also been shown to cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and many other serious health conditions.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma symptoms vary depending on what type of the asbestos cancer a person is diagnosed with. If you have a history of asbestos exposure, either on the job or secondhand, you should talk to a doctor and receive professional medical advice if you experience any of the following symptoms:

It is important that you talk to your doctor about your history of asbestos exposure because mesothelioma symptoms can be confused with other, less serious conditions and this communication can help you and other patients get diagnosed. Diagnosing mesothelioma at an early stage may allow you more treatment options and a better prognosis.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects you are experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases, he or she will likely perform a series of tests to reach a proper diagnosis. Tests for mesothelioma may include:

Because mesothelioma is a relatively rare disease, people experiencing symptoms may also consider seeking a second opinion from a specialist to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS PROCESS

Mesothelioma Treatments

The type of treatment you receive for mesothelioma will depend heavily on your health and the type of cancer you have. Common mesothelioma treatment options include:

Although there is no cure yet for mesothelioma, there are many treatment options available and on the horizon in clinical trials that could improve your prognosis. One of the most important decisions you will need to make is choosing a mesothelioma specialist in New York and a mesothelioma treatment center near you.

Ask Lisa A Question

Lisa Hyde-Barrett has been a thoracic surgery nurse for nearly 25 years, and has had the privilege of caring for countless mesothelioma patients over the years. Lisa feels very passionate about focusing her career on caring for mesothelioma patients and helping them deal with the disease. Lisa believes they “are the bravest people I have ever met.” Lisa is always looking for a way to make a difference and help patients through their mesothelioma journey.

Need help with Mesothelioma cases? Belluck & Fox, LLP dedicated mesothelioma attorneys will be happy to help you. You are very welcome to visit our locations at New York City and The Capital District.

Compensation for Mesothelioma Victims

The nationally recognized mesothelioma attorneys at Belluck & Fox have more than 20 years of experience demanding compensation for mesothelioma victims and their families. Our talented legal team has the knowledge and the resources to identify every possible source of compensation in your claim. This could come in the form of a mesothelioma lawsuit, mesothelioma settlement offers, or asbestos trust fund claims.

The common types of compensation we pursue for mesothelioma victims include:

• Payment for medical bills, including surgeries, hospitalizations, medications, assistive mobility devices, related modifications to your home, and future medical expenses you will incur as you continue with treatment
• Compensation for lost income if you had to leave work, as well as payment to account for your reduced earning capacity in the future
• Payment for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you have been through due to this disease

If you have lost a loved one to mesothelioma, our compassionate attorneys can help you seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.

Schedule a free case consultation today to learn more about how the mesothelioma claims process works and what types of compensation you and your family may be entitled to. To help you plan for your initial consultation, we have prepared a list of our clients’ frequently asked questions and answers.

Sources:

• https://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/01/12/jnci.djq495.full