Fact Sheet About Mesothelioma
Organizations such as the American Lung Association have put out sobering statistics regarding mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that has been linked to exposure to asbestos.
- Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a slippery membrane that lines the body’s chest, heart, and stomach cavities.
- Approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States.
- Men over the age of 60 and who are of Caucasian or Hispanic descent are most at risk for developing mesothelioma.
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Houses built before the 1980s in Morris County, New Jersey may have been built using asbestos. In addition, employees of certain industries – especially the shipbuilding and construction industries – may have been exposed to asbestos during the course of their employment. It can take twenty to twenty-five years or more before mesothelioma symptoms begin to show. If you believe you were exposed to asbestos because of another person’s (i.e., an employer or home builder’s) actions, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Common Injuries from Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that has been used for many years in various industries and for diverse purposes. Asbestos is resistant to heat, electricity, and most chemicals, which made it an ideal material to use in the construction of buildings and for insulation and fireproofing material. But asbestos fibers are microscopically small and can easily become airborne if they are moved or otherwise disturbed. These fibers can then be ingested or inhaled and become lodged in a person’s lung tissue, mesothelium, or stomach. This can cause a variety of health problems, some of the more serious of which include:
Mesothelioma
Which is a form of cancer that attacks a person’s mesothelium in his or her heart, chest, and/or stomach cavity. Although treatment is available, the odds of recovery improve when mesothelioma is caught early.
Lung Cancer
Which attacks the cells of a person’s lungs and can be fatal if not timely treated. Lung cancer can also easily spread to other parts of the body.
Asbestosis
Which is not a form of cancer but is a condition in which asbestos fibers become lodged in a person’s lung tissue. This causes scarring and inflammation and makes it difficult and painful to breathe. Usually a person’s physical activities are severely restricted because of asbestosis.
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The law firm of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. has been helping Morris County residents who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma recover compensation for their injuries for over 40 years. You may be entitled to file a claim for compensation if you were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related injury as a result.
Investigating Mesothelioma Cases Requires Resources
Although the link between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure has been well-established, this does not mean every individual diagnosed with mesothelioma is entitled to compensation. A successful mesothelioma compensation claim requires the patient to prove three basic facts: (1) he or she is diagnosed with mesothelioma; (2) this diagnosis was the result of exposure to asbestos; and (3) the patient was exposed to asbestos because of the actions of another person or entity. Locating the witnesses and evidence necessary to prove each of these facts can take a significant amount of time and resources.
An investigation into your claim will first look at certain key individuals with knowledge about your situation. Your doctors will be some of the most important witnesses interviewed as they can discuss your diagnosis and how they made your diagnosis. They can also say if you were suffering from mesothelioma symptoms before being diagnosed and, if so, for how long. Other witnesses can include people who either know you were exposed to asbestos, who can verify your work and residence history, or who have knowledge that asbestos was found in one of your prior homes or places of business. This group of people can include friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, supervisors, home contractors, inspectors, and others.
Documents and other evidence are often used to corroborate or support the testimony of witnesses. This makes the witness more credible and believable. Your investigation will want to collect documents such as your medical records, pay stubs or time slips, any work incident reports that pertain to you and/or asbestos, home inspections, and other similar documents.
The importance of a thorough investigation cannot be overemphasized. Complete investigations will reveal whether you truly have a claim for compensation and who may be responsible for compensating you. Because of the intensive nature of these investigations and the resources required to perform them, it is important to retain the Morris County mesothelioma law firm of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. to represent you. We have the resources necessary to investigate and support your claim for compensation.
Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. offers a FREE CONSULTATION.
Contact us today to discuss how we can helpRed Bank
127 Maple Avenue
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Phone: (732) 747-9003
Fax: (215) 567-6019
