2007/06/01

Capitol Power Plant Tunnels Set For Asbestos Abatement

The Architect of the Capitol (AoC)—which is responsible for preserving, maintaining and enhancing the Capitol complex in Washington D.C.—has agreed to settle a complaint over asbestos hazards at the complex’s power plant.

After eight months of negotiations and years of complaints by workers, the AoC said it will:


Abate the asbestos and other health hazards in the Capitol Power Plant utility tunnels within five years, unless funding is cut
Create a comprehensive management plan with specific milestones for the abatement
Meet with Office of Compliance (OoC) representatives on a monthly basis to discuss progress and other relevant matters
Allow monitoring by the OoC to ensure milestones are being met

While the AoC’s agreement with the OoC is considered “precedent setting,” it still does not require complete asbestos abatement.

Sen. Patty Murray, who pushed for workers to be removed from the tunnels after signs of respiratory illnesses began to surface, referred to the agreement as a “good first step to address the [AoC’s] astounding backlog of 13,000 health and safety violations.”

(Source: http://www.occupationalhazards.com/Issue/Article/66532/Architect_of_Capitol_Agrees_to_Fix_Tunnel_Hazards.aspx)

Australian University To Study Asbestos Impact on Women

New research will focus on identifying possible links between asbestos and ovarian cancer. Researchers at the University of Western Australia (UWA) will conduct the study.

According to professor Bill Musk, most data regarding asbestos-related diagnosis has been gathered from men. The new study will mark the first time researchers specifically examine the impact of asbestos on women.

The research, Musk said, will build on previous studies of workers in a region where crocidolite, or blue asbestos, is prevalent. Women in the region already exhibit higher mesothelioma and lung cancer rates, so researchers want to determine if their ovarian cancer rates are also higher.

If researchers are able to determine a link between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer, it could mean more compensation claims, said Musk.

“I’m sure if they develop a disease that can be associated with their exposure to asbestos they will be eligible for some compensation one way or another,” he said.

(Source: www.abc.net.au)

Woman's Estate Files Mesothelioma Lawsuit

The estate of a woman who died from mesothelioma—an asbestos related cancer—has filed an asbestos lawsuit seeking more than $700,000 in compensatory and punitive damages from 44 defendant corporations.

Barbara Clarke was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2005 and died four months later. Elsie Eberhard, Clarke’s daughter, filed the lawsuit claiming that her mother suffered both occupational and non-occupational asbestos exposure.

According to the complaint, Clarke worked from 1961-1965 as a machinist, production worker, and engineering draftsman. The lawsuit also states that Clarke was exposed to asbestos during home and automotive work projects.

The defendants, which include Ford Motor Co., General Motors, and John Crane, are accused of the following, among other things:


Including asbestos in their products despite the known harmful effects and the availability of safer alternatives
Failing to provide warnings to those working around or with asbestos
Failing to conduct asbestos testing to determine the extent of the hazard to workers

Eberhard is seeking damages in excess of $700,000 for her mother’s pain and mental anguish as well as her own loss of support and society.

(Source: http://www.madisonrecord.com/news/195403-family-of-pennsylvania-worker-files-asbestos-complaint)

Has your loved one died from mesothelioma? You may be entitled to seek damages on their behalf. Contact us today to learn more.

Lawsuit: Asbestos Exposure Caused Man?s Mesothelioma

Lawsuit: Asbestos Exposure Caused Man?s Mesothelioma
A Kansas man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in March recently filed a lawsuit against 92 defendants, claiming preventable asbestos exposure caused his illness.

Hubert Johnston worked as a service station attendant and insulator for more than four decades—from 1946 to 1990. Over the course of his employment, Johnston claims he suffered exposure to asbestos. He also cites home and automotive repairs as a source of exposure.

“The plaintiff’s exposure and inhalation, ingestion or absorption of the asbestos fibers was completely foreseeable and could or should have been anticipated by the defendants,” the lawsuit states.

The defendants are accused of, among other things, failing to:

§ Provide adequate safety instructions for those working with or around asbestos
§ Advise workers of proper hygiene practices to prevent them from carrying the dangerous fibers home on their person
§ Provide alternative non-asbestos-containing products when adequate substitutes were available

Johnston claims he suffers “great physical pain and mental anguish” as a result of his condition. He is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $250,000 for his medical costs and the defendants’ “willful, wanton, intentional and reckless misconduct.”

(Source: The Madison Record)

Think you have an asbestos claim? Contact us today for a complimentary case evaluation with an experienced asbestos attorney.

Asbestos Removal

Asbestos removal may help prevent exposure to the asbestos fibers linked to cancer and other lung diseases. Asbestos removal should only be performed by qualified professionals, since the risks associate with an improperly conducted asbestos removal are quite high.

There are over 3,000 manufactured products that are known to contain asbestos; asbestos removal can therefore be an extensive operation. Individuals may not realize their home or business requires asbestos removal, since asbestos fibers are odorless and tasteless and were used so widely for many years. Asbestos removal experts can conduct an investigation, taking samples of various materials to determine whether asbestos removal is required. Taking samples yourself is never recommended, as releasing asbestos fibers can be more dangerous than foregoing asbestos removal entirely. In some cases, asbestos abatement may be accomplished through methods other than asbestos removal, such as encasement or encapsulation. These can be as satisfactory and much less expensive than asbestos removal. There are stringent requirements set by federal, state, and local authorities regarding the methods for asbestos removal and disposal. Further information is available through organizations such as the EPA and OSHA, and though asbestos removal laws do not vary much between states, individuals should always ensure that anyone hired for asbestos removal purposes is in full compliance with the laws and regulations. If an asbestos removal is occurring on a property that you rent, you can ask if the asbestos removal professionals have the proper training and qualifications. It is illegal to conduct an asbestos removal if you are anyone other than the property owner or a qualified asbestos removal specialist.

To learn more about your legal rights and responsibilities in regards to asbestos removal, you may wish to contact an attorney who has experience in working with asbestos removal cases.

To find buildings in your state that contain asbestos, select a state. You will also find asbestos abatement or asbestos removal, various statewide asbestos products, as well as links to how you might be able to help victims of Asbestos exposure.

Where Asbestos is Found

Every year in the U.S., according to a new Environmental Working Group (EWG) study, almost 10,000 deaths in the U.S. are attributed to asbestos exposure. When broken down that means 30 deaths per day are because of asbestos exposure and the numbers do not appear to be declining. Since asbestos exposure can take ten to fifty years to develop into asbestos related diseases, the deaths and illnesses now being suffered are a result of exposure to asbestos in the work construction industries during the 1960s and through to the 1980s.

Many Americans are confused as to why asbestos related deaths and illnesses are still occurring since the belief is that asbestos has been banned. This is a common misconception. In 1989, the EPA banned the use of asbestos in all new uses and created standards, but any already containing asbestos products remained. According to a 2004 U.S. Geological Survey, asbestos use is 80 percent contained in roofing products, eight percent contained in gaskets, four percent contained in friction products, and eight percent contained in other consumer products.

Occupational exposure to asbestos can still be widely found for car mechanics, construction workers, and many other industries, as well as exposure within homes containing asbestos in roofing and insulation. Asbestos is found everywhere and unless consumers are continually inquiring about the presence of asbestos in various products the exposure to the carcinogen could be potentially very high for some individuals. The only measure that would be considered adequate is an immediate ban on asbestos, according to the EWG report conclusion.

The states with the highest number of deaths from asbestosis and mesothelioma are California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In nine of the ten states that have the highest asbestos rates, the number of mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths continued to increase every year from 1979 to 2001. The number of mesothelioma and asbestosis that go undetected or misdiagnosed is also considered to be substantial, thus creating a great underestimate of actual asbestos illnesses suffered. The greatest number of asbestos disease rates was found in Los Angeles, CA; Cook County, IL; Philadelphia County, PA; King County, WA; and Harris County, TX.

More than 730,000 asbestos claims have been filed through 2002 according to The Rand Institute for Civil Justice, and a study released in January 2004 showed that 100,000 more asbestos claims were filed in 2003, though some are thought to be duplicates of suits previously filed against other defendants. The costs associated to the hundreds of thousands of asbestos lawsuits could ultimately reach $200 to $265 billion before asbestos litigation is complete. Insurers spent $1.02 million in 2003 trying to decrease the number of asbestos lawsuits and lower their liability by pushing for the bill that would set up a trust fund to provide compensation for those with asbestos diseases.

The problem with the trust fund is that there have already been inadequate funds for people injured because of asbestos exposure and if people continue to suffer from the asbestos disease for decades to come they may have nowhere to turn when the funds have been depleted.

The EPA has a general guide to show what types of materials may contain asbestos. Included on the list is:

Cement Pipes
Cement Wallboard
Cement Siding
Asphalt Floor Tile
Vinyl Floor Tile
Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Flooring Backing
Construction Mastics (floor, tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
Acoustical Plaster
Decorative Plaster
Textured Paints/Coatings
Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels
Spray-Applied Insulation
Blown-in Insulation
Fireproofing Materials
Taping Compounds (thermal)
Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations)
High Temperature Gaskets
Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops
Laboratory Gloves
Fire Blankets
Fire Curtains
Elevator Equipment Panels
Elevator Brake Shoes
HVAC Duct Insulation
Boiler Insulation
Breaching Insulation
Ductwork Flexible Fabric Connections
Cooling Towers
Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.)
Heating and Electrical Ducts
Electrical Panel Partitions
Electrical Cloth
Electric Wiring Insulation
Chalkboards
Roofing Shingles
Roofing Felt
Base Flashing
Thermal Paper Products
Fire Doors
Caulking/Putties
Adhesives
Wallboard
Joint Compounds
Vinyl Wall Coverings
Spackling Compounds

While companies are afraid asbestos lawsuits will continue for decades because of the latency period between exposure and disease onset, people have been suing for health damages related to asbestos since the 1930s. Manufacturers have had scientific evidence of asbestos dangers since the 1940s but have been involved with cover-ups and industry deception. Asbestos can still be found in countless materials, allowing inhalation of the dangerous minerals to men, women, and children. The EWG group estimates 100,000 more Americans will die from mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos related lung cancer and gastrointestinal cancer because of exposure in the next ten years

For more information on asbestos exposure, please contact us.

Asbestos in Schools

Even though asbestos is a known carcinogen - banned in 1989 by the Environmental Protection Agency - it is still found in some schools , causing potential health risks to teachers, students, school staff, and others. The ban did not require schools to remove asbestos-containing materials altogether but did establish certain regulations to ensure that schools manage existing asbestos levels and exposure . The EPA does, however, require schools to remove any damaged asbestos materials on the premises.

Some schools have had asbestos completely removed but the majority of schools simply manage the levels under requirements established by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), which was passed by Congress in 1986. The asbestos management plan requires school authorities to regularly check asbestos levels and document asbestos response actions, including location of asbestos within the school and any action taken to remove or repair asbestos damage. The management plan is intended to keep school occupants safe from asbestos dangers. However, there have been numerous instances of schools failing to comply with the AHERA .

All schools are required to report to parent-teacher organizations once a year on the status of the school's asbestos management plan, including any plans for asbestos removal. Any parent, teacher, or school employee has the right to review the school's asbestos management plan .

Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance but its tiny fibers can become lodged in people's lungs when inhaled or ingested. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers can lead to potentially deadly health effects , including lung cancer and mesothelioma - a deadly and rare form of cancer affecting the lining of the lungs or other organs . Health experts previously maintained that only high concentrations of asbestos fibers inhaled over an extended period of time would cause health problems. However, some studies have shown that even short periods of asbestos exposure can lead to adverse health effects .

There is currently no cure for mesothelioma and treatments only extend life expectancy by several months. Since it can take years - sometimes decades - before symptoms of asbestos exposure become evident, people exposed to asbestos fibers in their schools may not find out they have been affected until it is too late.

If you are worried about asbestos violations in your school or your child's school, you should contact your regional EPA asbestos coordinator. If you would like to speak with an asbestos attorney, please contact us .

Additional Resources:

NCEF lists links, books, and journal articles on how asbestos abatement and management is conducted in school facilities as well as how schools can comply with federal regulations.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is not always diagnosed because the cancer is still unrecognizable. A mesothelioma diagnosis may often be classified as another condition because the symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Even today, a mesothelioma diagnosis can be classified as lung cancer, which is an entirely different disease. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the chest, lung, and abdominal cavity and has been linked to high levels of workplace and non-occupational exposure to asbestos.

A mesothelioma diagnosis most commonly begins with a complete medical history review and physical examination of a patient who suffers from mesothelioma symptoms and signs including shortness of breath, chest pains, swollen abdomen, and more. The physical exam should involve a number of imaging tests to search for suspicious cell formation. These tests may include:

X-rays Chest or abdomen x-rays can reveal fluid build-up, masses, or signs of non-cancerous pleural disease .

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan A series of detailed images of the body. CT scans can locate pleural disease, chest wall invasions, and can guide fine needle aspiration tests. However, CT scans cannot differentiate between benign or malignant mesothelioma.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) MRI scans use a computer-linked magnet to photograph details of the inside of the body and can determine the severity of a tumor.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) PET imaging tests have become one of the most efficient ways of diagnosing mesothelioma tumors as well as determining the staging of the cancer.

Biopsy A needle biopsy is almost always necessary to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. In a biopsy, a sample of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to test for cancer cells. Depending on the location of the abnormal area, a biopsy can be done in different ways including:

Thoracoscopy - If the cancer is located in the pleura, a small incision will be made through the chest wall and a thoracoscope will be inserted to obtain a tissue sample.

Peritoneoscopy If the cancer is in the abdominal cavity, a doctor will use a peritoneoscope to obtain sample tissue for further examination.

If you or a loved one experience any symptoms of mesothelioma, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Please contact us today to learn more information about mesothelioma diagnosis or to speak with a qualified and experienced mesothelioma attorney who will protect your legal rights and interests.

Related Mesothelioma Diagnosis News

May 31, 2007 - Lawsuit: Asbestos Exposure Caused Man’s Mesothelioma

May 30, 2007 - Australian University To Study Asbestos Impact on Women

April 3, 2007 - National Asbestos Awareness Day Conference Held

Illinois Mesothelioma Deaths

In 1999 the National Center for Health Statistics reported that 128 people had died from the harmful but rare form of cancer, Mesothelioma. The data was taken from residents age 15 and over in 1999. If you know someone who is suffering or died of the fatal disease, please contact us by filling out the form to the right. For further information and help, please consult the following health resources in Illinois:

Columbia LaGrange Memorial Hospital
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
James E. Hannigan, MD
1325 Memorial Dr
LaGrange, Illinois 60525
708-579-3418


University of Chicago Cancer Research Center
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Nicholas J. Vogelzang, MD
5841 S, Maryland Ave., MC 1140,
Chicago, Illinois 60637-1470
773-834-6742


Loyola University Chicago Medical Center, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Kathy Albain, MD
2160 S. 1st Avenue
Maywood, IL 60153
708-216-90007


Areas of Illinois where Asbestos exposure has been reported

Asbestos Bill

Throughout the past few years, increasing controversy and debate has surrounded an asbestos bill that would reform the current asbestos litigation system. Currently those who have suffered from mesothelioma or other serious conditions resulting from asbestos exposure can file an asbestos lawsuit to seek compensation for their losses.

Under the new asbestos bill, victims would no longer be eligible to file individual lawsuits. Instead, a $140 billion private trust fund, financed by insurance companies and defendants involved in asbestos litigation, would be created to compensate those who have suffered serious illnesses and conditions from asbestos exposure. The Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act could prevent you and your loved ones from exercising your legal rights.

The Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2006 (The "FAIR Act")

The asbestos bill, which was introduced on the Senate floor three years ago, has been through a number of amendments to address various issues and concerns surrounding the proposed legislation. While proponents of the asbestos bill claim that the new trust fund would ensure prompt recovery for injured claimants, it could potentially deny many people the full compensation they deserve.

The FAIR Act asbestos bill, if passed, will require claimants to meet stronger medical criteria in order to receive compensation. In addition, the asbestos bill would prevent asbestos manufacturers and other defendants from being punished for their wrongdoing. For example, companies that would be ordered to pay billions of dollars in asbestos lawsuits under today's laws would only be required to pay millions for the asbestos bill trust fund, thus largely skirting liability for their reckless negligence in allowing people to be exposed to asbestos.

The FAIR Act would ultimately prove to be unfair for thousands of people who have suffered from mesothelioma or other serious illnesses due to asbestos exposure.

To learn more information about the recent asbestos bill, please contact us today to speak to a qualified and experienced attorney who will protect your legal rights and maximize your options. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another serious asbestos-related injury, financial assistance may be available, our attorneys are available to evaluate your case to determine the best way to protect your interests.

Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer in Veterans

According to statistics, more than 30 percent of Americans suffering from mesothelioma—a deadly asbestos-induced lung cancer—were exposed to asbestos while serving their nation. Veterans and shipyard workers arguably face the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma or similar disease because of the extensive use of asbestos in military equipment and products, buildings, ships, and submarines. This is especially true for veterans who served during or after World War II and before the1970s when the government began regulating use of asbestos. Sadly, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American veterans have suffered exposure to asbestos, putting them at higher risk of developing asbestosis, mesothelioma, or other illness.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-induced lung cancer such as mesothelioma have legal rights and may be able to recover compensation for their losses and suffering. To learn if you are eligible to file a claim for your injuries, please contact us today. One of our experienced asbestos attorneys will evaluate your case FREE of charge and determine your best course of action.

The Risk for Navy Veterans

Asbestos-induced lung cancer is a significant problem among Navy veterans, particularly because the use of asbestos was so very extensive on ships. Virtually no area on a Navy ship built before the 1970s is safe, including:


Fire and engine rooms
Boiler rooms
Navigation rooms
Mess halls
Sleeping quarters

Additionally, commonly used products such as gaskets, cables, insulation, adhesives, valves, and numerous others contained asbestos. Navy veterans, like other veterans, were prone to carry asbestos dust home on their clothes, thereby exposing their loved ones to the dangerous fibers.

Veterans Rights

Veterans groups across the country have started taking action to ensure their rights are protected. For instance, some veterans organizations have called on Congress to fund early lung cancer detection programs, which is especially important given the long latency period for mesothelioma—usually 30 to 50 years. Individual veterans and, in some cases, their families are filing legal claims to hold responsible parties accountable for the suffering caused by asbestos-induced lung disease.

If you or a veteran you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, you may be entitled to seek financial reimbursement for your damages. Please contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation with an experienced asbestos lawyer.

Florida Mesothelioma Lawyer

The following medical centers in Florida specialize in mesothelioma treatment.

CCOP-Mount Sinai Medical Center
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Rogerio C. Lilenbaum, MD
4306 Alton Road
Miami Beach, Florida 33140
305-674-2625


Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, The University of South Florida
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Lary A. Robinson, MD
12902 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, Florida 33612
813-972-8412

Florida ranked second in mesothelioma deaths in 1999 with 163 reported cases according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer for legal support in the state of Florida by filling out the form to the right.

New York Mesothelioma Lawyer

New York Mesothelioma Lawyer
in 1999 the CDC reported 156 deaths attributed to mesothelioma cancer. If you or a loved one has suffered from the rare lung cancer, contact our mesothelioma attorneys.

For treatment information we hope the following centers and specialists can help you:

Raja M. Flores, MD
Attending Thoracic Surgeon
Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 639-2806


Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Mary Hesdorffer, RN, BSN, Clinical Research Nurse
161 Fort Washington Avenue
New York, New York 10032-3713
212-305-1252


Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Leonard Bruce Saltz, MD
1275 York Avenue
New York, New York 10021
212-639-2501 17


CCOP-North Shore University Hospital, Div. Hematology/ Oncology
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Daniel R. Budman, MD
9th Floor, 300 Community Dr.
Manhasset, New York 11030
516-562-8954

Mesothelioma Attorneys

Because Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that can take up to 20 years to develop, Mesothelioma attorneys need specific training and experience when seeking compensation for clients. Mesothelioma attorneys have a specific team of medical professionals who interpret health records and testing documentation to prove the specific correlation between a patient's side-effects and the Mesothelioma diagnosis.
  Once the illness has been properly identified, Mesothelima attorneys must prove that the cause of the illness is the particular exposure to the toxic chemical, at a duration and amount significant enough to cause the health-related symtoms. Often it can take up to 50 years for a person to show the type of dehabilitation necessary for Mesothelioma attorneys to obtain compensation.
  Not everyone who works with or was exposed to asbestos can prove that they have suffered injuries related to asbestos contamination. With years of prosecuting the cases that have bankrupted hundreds of asbestos companies, Mesothelioma attorneys have intimate knowledge of the specific evidence necessary to prove the direct correlation between absestos and asbestos-related illnesses such as Mesothelioma and lung cancer. Most recently, WR Grace & Co and its seven executives were charged in conspiring to hide asbestos contamination at a mine in Libby, Montana, which prosecutors claim was responsible for the illnesses of 1200 people resulting in 200 deaths.
Many Mesothelioma attorneys have asbestos cases based on the contamination of vermiculite, a hydrous silicate mineral, shipped by WR Grace to about 240 plants across the country. Federal authorities in 22 states are investigating 28 plants stretching across from North Dakota to Florida and Massachusetts to California, including one plant in Hawaii.
As Mesothelioma attorneys continue to prove the correlation between clients' illnesses and asbestos contimination, legislators struggle to approve a bill that will provide enough compensation for all victims who worked at mining plants and all neighboring residents who were exposed to the toxic chemicals. Currently legislators are having trouble determining how the funding will ensure compensation for victims who will continue to develop asbestos-related illnesses for years to come. The bill has yet to be approved.
Contact a LawInfo Lead Counsel qualified mesothelioma attorney today

2007/05/31

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

A mesothelioma lawsuit is filed by a victim of mesothelioma in order to recover damages associated with their development of this asbestos related cancer. A mesothelioma case can help a victim seek reparations for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering. Mesothelioma develops almost exclusively as a result of toxic exposure to asbestos. This disease can remain latent in a victim for up to forty years; therefore people who were exposed to asbestos in the environment in the 1950s may still be at risk for developing this disease.

  Asbestos has been used to make more than 5000 products in the last few hundred years. Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals that is used to make products such as vehicle brakes and building materials. Asbestos is added to these products because it aids in heat and corrosion resistance. The deadly effects of asbestos have been known for over sixty years, though it continues to be used in a variety of industries. People in the construction, automotive, factory, railroad, shipyard, and custodial industries may all be at risk for the serious health consequences resulting from toxic exposure to asbestos.

  Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal cancer that is caused by this harmful exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma affects the mesothelium that surrounds and protects the internal organs of the body and can affect any organ in the body including the brain, heart and reproductive organs. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common and affects the lining surrounding the lungs. This lining can become cancerous when asbestos is inhaled at toxic levels. Many times the disease is asymptomatic, though symptoms may include a persistent cough, pain in the chest area or shortness of breath.

  Mesothelioma also affects the peritoneal lining of the organs in the abdominal cavity. This type of mesothelioma can also remain latent and asymptomatic for several years. If symptoms do develop they might include pain and swelling of the belly, nausea, bowel problems, weight loss, swollen feet, and anemia.

  Mesothelioma affects men three to five times more often than it affects women. It is diagnosed in patients at an average age of 50 to 70 years. Once diagnosed, mesothelioma is fatal. The average survival time after diagnosis is only one year, because the cancer is usually in its advanced stages by the time it is discovered. For people who are diagnosed earlier, about one half survive for two years and twenty percent make it to five years.

  A mesothelioma lawsuit can be filed in the legal system in order to seek reparations for medical expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering associated with the development of this disease. Employers and manufactures of asbestos containing products can be held liable for the injuries that develop as a result, especially when they were aware of the risks associated with the level of exposure they caused or permitted. Contacting a qualified lawyer is often the first step in discovering what your legal rights and options might be in a mesothelioma lawsuit. For more information on a mesothelioma lawsuit, please Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney who is familiar with other mesothelioma cases.