Christopher M. Placitella
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The American Cancer Society compiles information regarding mesothelioma incidences and mortality in the United States and the types of people who become victims of the disease due to misinformation or lack of information. Some statistics regarding the incidence and mortality of mesothelioma and its related illnesses in the United States include the following:
Atlantic County, New Jersey is home to many who have worked hard and now just want a chance to settle down. However, many people, especially older people, have worked jobs for years where they may have been exposed to asbestos, and it may still be present in many older homes. Exposure to asbestos is the number one risk factor in contracting mesothelioma.
The attorneys at the law firm of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. understand that sometimes, asbestos exposure may occur inadvertently or unintentionally, but the consequences are nonetheless the same – and they can be dire.
Mesothelioma is a cancer, a tumor primarily affecting the lining of one’s primary organs (primarily the chest, lungs and stomach). It has several risk factors, but by far the most strongly indicated is exposure to asbestos on a routine basis. This exposure, combined with other bodily and environmental risk factors, can give rise to a number of disabling conditions, many of which are seen in the people of Atlantic County. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center cites four types of mesothelioma and associated diseases, including:
This is often described as the ‘signature’ condition associated with asbestos exposure, if only because it is by far the primary factor in the genesis of the disease. There are four types of mesothelioma, classified by where they present: pleural (lung), peritoneal (stomach), pericardial (heart) and testicular (reproductive area in men). Symptoms include shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss and significant chest and/or abdominal pain.
The only major difference between mesothelioma and other cancers is where the disease presents, be it in an organ or in the mesothelium, the membrane covering most major organs. Conditions like laryngeal and ovarian cancer have been linked to asbestos exposure, with similar symptoms reported as those in mesothelioma sufferers.
Asbestosis is not a terminal diagnosis, but it can contribute to death from lung disease or breathing difficulties. It is a condition in which lungs are severely scarred, often preventing them from expanding and contracting in a normal fashion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a fivefold (age-adjusted) increase in the mortality rate of asbestosis between 1968, when it began to keep records, and 1992, which is the most recent data currently available.
This occurs when fluid builds up in between the layers of the pleura, the membrane around the lungs. While pleural effusions can happen on their own, they are linked to late-stage mesothelioma, so particularly severe effusions may be cause for concern. They can hinder breathing and cause pain and dizziness, though they are not usually life-threatening on their own. Sometimes this can occur with pleurisy (also called pleuritis), an inflammation of the pleura that can cause sudden, sharp chest pain.
A benign condition that can mimic a malignant tumor with scar tissue. In extreme cases, scarring on the lungs can be so severe that one lung actually collapses.
Let us put our years of experience to work for you.
The attorneys at the law firm of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. understand that sometimes, asbestos exposure may occur inadvertently or unintentionally, but the consequences are nonetheless the same – and they can be dire.
If you believe you have suffered harm due to asbestos exposure, whether once or repeatedly, please contact the firm of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. to discuss your options. We work hard to ensure that you receive all the appropriate compensation you deserve.
When dealing with mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos, putting together a case can be difficult and time-consuming. You will be required to prove your diagnosis of mesothelioma (most often done via expert testimony from a medical professional). This can be done by finding corroborating witnesses, as well as medical records and other appropriate documentation.
This can be extremely difficult to find, given that mesothelioma is usually not diagnosed until many years after the pattern of asbestos exposure. However, it is beyond question that it is in your best interests to attempt to track this information down; it will give you a much higher chance of recovering.
In other words, there are three varieties of supporting evidence you must possess in order to have a significant chance at recovery for your injuries: confirmation of your diagnosis, proof of asbestos exposure, and supporting documents tying the two together.
Medical evidence on diagnosis, treatment and future prognosis is critical, and also usually the easiest to obtain. The other two varieties of helpful evidence are significantly more difficult and time-consuming, because they may require much time and effort. To dig into one’s own past can be costly and exhausting, but relevant documentation and/or witnesses who can corroborate your story of asbestos exposure are critical.
