Mesothelioma Fact Sheet
Mesothelioma – many people have heard the term but few know much about the disease. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that primarily attacks the mesothelial lining of the lungs and heart (although mesothelioma can develop in other areas of the body as well). Mesothelioma has been linked to exposure to asbestos. The American Cancer Society notes that:
- Each year there are approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma.
- Mesothelioma affects more men than women, and most cases develop in individuals over the age of 60.
- Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to manifest following exposure to asbestos.
- Mesothelioma has no known cure and a poor prognosis – only about 5% to 10% of individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma will live more than five years beyond the date of diagnosis.
Up until approximately 40 years ago, asbestos was a popular material for home and building insulation and other uses. Construction workers and shipyard workers would routinely work with and around loose asbestos fibers. Although the risks of asbestos are now known and asbestos is no longer used in the United States, some individuals previously exposed to asbestos are just now exhibiting signs and symptoms of mesothelioma. When a person was previously exposed to asbestos and later developed mesothelioma, that person may be entitled to compensation.
Mesothelioma Videos
Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
If you or a loved one experiences any of the above symptoms and may have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to be evaluated by a medical professional right away. With Hazleton’s construction industry and history, individuals may have been exposed to asbestos inadvertently or may have been exposed to fibers present on the clothing of another.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and signs and symptoms may not begin to show for many years after exposure to asbestos. Another problem with mesothelioma is that many of the initial signs and symptoms of mesothelioma can easily be mistaken for other, less serious ailments. This may cause some individuals to delay in seeking treatment. If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and shows any of the following signs or symptoms, you should seek medical advice and treatment right away: Early detection and treatment improves the prognosis.
Early (Stage 1 and Stage 2 pleural or lung-based mesothelioma) symptoms include:
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath, especially if the shortness of breath occurs frequently, occurs at unusual times or under unusual circumstances (such as while sitting), or occurs with little or no physical exertion.
Chest pain
Chest pain, which may also accompany shortness of breath. Any unusual chest pain should be evaluated by a doctor.
Persistent coughing
Persistent coughing, which may be indicative of other disorders such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but should still be evaluated by a medical professional to ensure it is not related to mesothelioma.
Weight loss
Weight loss, especially if you or your loved one is not attempting to lose weight, is not exercising, or if the weight loss cannot be explained.
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While a mesothelioma lawsuit cannot prevent individuals from acting carelessly, a lawsuit can provide monetary damages to compensate you for the injuries such conduct causes. Contact Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. at 888-818-2562 to for a free consultation.
Investigating Mesothelioma Claims Requires Resources
Just being exposed to asbestos and then developing symptoms of mesothelioma is not enough to guarantee compensation; instead, the asbestos exposure must have caused or, at the very least, contributed to a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In order to prove this, Cohen, Placitella & Roth lawyers dedicate our time and resources to locating and preserving important evidence to support your claim.
For instance, your employer or the defendant – the one who allowed you to be exposed to asbestos – may attempt to claim your symptoms are not indicative of mesothelioma but of some other condition. To counter this, we will need to interview your doctor and review your medical records. If you have not been diagnosed with any condition yet, you will need to be evaluated by a doctor before your claim can proceed.
The Hazleton mesothelioma lawyers at Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C., have helped hundreds of mesothelioma victims recover compensation. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can help you and your loved ones.
In addition, your mesothelioma needs to be connected to your exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, because of the long delay between asbestos exposure and the onset of symptoms, finding witnesses or records that can substantiate your claim and prove you were exposed to asbestos can be difficult and time-consuming. You need to make sure your mesothelioma attorney has the experience and resources necessary to conduct a thorough investigation.
Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. offers a FREE CONSULTATION.
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