Fact Sheet about Mesothelioma: Insidious Illness
Mesothelioma is a rare and serious type of cancer that results from asbestos exposure many years before the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma begin to show. It is one of the most deadly and quickly progressing cancers, once it is diagnosed. According to the American Cancer Society:
- People diagnosed with Stage 1 mesothelioma have an average life expectancy of 21 months, while a diagnosis of Stage 4 mesothelioma has an average life expectancy of as short as one year. Unlike years gone by, an early diagnosis may extend life significantly.
- Approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cases are the result of exposure to asbestos.
- Approximately 66% of all mesothelioma diagnoses are in patients aged 65 or older.
- Mesothelioma is diagnosed in men more frequently than in women as men historically held jobs with a higher chance of exposure to asbestos materials.
Mesothelioma Videos
Mesothelioma Incidents
Some of the risk factors associated with the development of mesothelioma include gender, age and known exposure to asbestos materials in the past. People who held jobs in mining, factory work, construction and automobile manufacturing often installed asbestos as insulating material through the course of their job. Many Bensalem residents may have been exposed to asbestos, and not yet be presenting symptoms of mesothelioma or other injuries associated with asbestos exposure.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can produce a number of injuries and medical conditions in humans. Some of the more commonly diagnosed conditions associated with asbestos exposure are:
Development of Malignant Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma starts out as a small cluster of cancer cells called a tumor that grows over time if not treated. Malignant mesothelioma is cancerous and is notorious for spreading to other parts of the body and to other organs.
Development of Benign Tumors
Benign mesothelial tumors are noncancerous and these tumors may make it challenging to breath. However, benign tumors are generally harmless and can be surgically removed.
Development of Asbestosis
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, it can prompt the generation of non-cancerous lung tissue scarring in a condition known as asbestosis, which can lead to breathing difficulties.
Development of Pleural Disorders
A number of pleural disorders result from asbestos fibers inhalation as a result of tissue irritation. Fluid can build up in the lungs (effusions), thickening of the lung tissue can occur, or damage to the membranes surrounding the lungs (pleural plaques) can take place.
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The Bensalem mesothelioma lawyers at Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. have more than 40 years of experience handling mesothelioma or other asbestos-related injury cases. We have seen how these medical condition impact a family and we want to see you get the compensation that you deserve. The lawyers at Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. know what it takes to help you
Investigating Mesothelioma Accidents Requires Resources
Preparing a mesothelioma injury case requires a thorough investigation into the injury claim, which takes a lot of time and resources. Your injury will need to be traced back to an instance of asbestos exposure in your past, and any and all evidence relating to your exposure or your injuries will need to be collected and reviewed. The mesothelioma attorneys at Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. are resourceful and have the necessary legal skills, years of experience and the capital required to properly investigate your injury claim.
A successful mesothelioma case rests on the shoulders of many people making individual contributions to build a strong case. You will play an important role in the investigation, as will your lawyer. But a number of other people will also be consulted, interviewed and relied upon to provide evidence and testimony for your case. There will be doctors, medical specialists, oncologists, and other medical professionals that will contribute to the medical evidence detailing the extent and severity of your injuries. If your asbestos exposure occurred while you were on the job, former co-workers and employers will be consulted to identify any potential witnesses. Further, workplace safety experts will be consulted concerning how asbestos materials should have been handle, which can be compared to testimony as to how asbestos was actually handled in your work environment.
Documentary evidence will be used to show the extent or your injuries, your prognosis, and to establish liability for the harm that you have suffered. Medical records, test results, x-rays and other scans, and doctors’ notes will all be useful for demonstrating your condition. Further, any work records, incident reports or safety manuals dating back to the time of your exposure will be used to establish liability.
At Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C., our goal is to show definitively that you are the victim of asbestos exposure and we will identify who is responsible for the harm you have suffered. Our team of mesothelioma lawyers has worked closely with mesothelioma victims for many years, obtaining evidence and building strong cases against former employers, construction workers, etc. We have the experience, staff and resources that it takes to prepare a successful injury case.