Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Attorneys

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Except in rare cases, it takes 10 to 50 years to develop symptoms after exposure. Then the disease progresses rapidly with most patients dying an extremely painful death in less than two years.

Asbestos exposure

Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. Asbestos has been used for its heat and fire resistant properties in thousands of products since the late 1800's, even though the health risks have been known and documented since the early 1900's. In fact, heavy use of asbestos did not begin until the 1940's.

Asbestos is a common ingredient in construction materials of all types in older homes, including:

Ceilings
Flooring
Insulation
Wiring
Paint

As long as the asbestos remains sealed and contained, you are not at risk of inhaling the fibers. However, as homes age and deteriorate the asbestos becomes exposed. Remodeling, or even small repairs, can release the fibers exposing you and your family. Asbestos is found in common household items, as well.

At greatest risk are people who work with asbestos. High risk industries and environments include:

Shipyards
Oil refineries
Railroads
Mining
Small appliance manufacture
Automotive manufacture and repair
Construction
Demolition

Workers inadvertently expose their loved ones to asbestos by bringing the fibers home in their clothing and belongings. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, anyone who lived in your household at the time may have mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illness as well.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is often confused with lung cancer because the most common type of mesothelioma affects the lungs. However, there is a distinct difference.

Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the protective lining around the lungs, abdominal organs, and heart. Pleural mesothelioma is cancer of the lung pleura - the lining around the lungs - and is the most common type, but mesothelioma can also invade the lining of the heart, abdominal area, and testicles.

Most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are usually given less than a year to live. Early detection gives patients a better chance at survival as the most advanced and effective treatments are available only to those in the early stages of the disease.

Pain

The prevailing characteristic of mesothelioma is extreme pain. Even the fear of imminent death takes a backseat to mesothelioma pain. A large portion of treatment focuses on pain management. Uncontrolled pain not only destroys the quality of life, it reduces the effectiveness of treatment, and it is imperative that you talk to your doctor openly about the pain and let him or her know when your medication is no longer working. Most patients eventually reach a point where nothing will relieve the pain.

Asbestos exposure continues

Contrary to popular belief, products containing asbestos are still being produced and used in the U.S. today. High risk industries continue to expose workers on a daily basis. Thousands of older homes, buildings, and schools still contain asbestos. In natural disasters, accidents, and other catastrophes, asbestos which was sealed and contained is released, exposing first responders and anyone in the area.

If you or someone you know has developed mesothelioma or any asbestos-related illness, please email us or call a mesothelioma attorney at Jacoby & Meyers at 1-800-411-4LAW.

Jacoby

Jacoby & Meyers has offices and attorneys throughout the United States, with regional offices in Southern California, Arizona, and New York.