Overview: Asbestos Information

Asbestos is a fibrous, naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in the manufacture of industrial products – such as fireproofing materials, brake linings, chemical filters, and electrical insulation – through the 1970's. Once touted for its durability and effectiveness, asbestos has since been linked to a number of serious health problems, most notably, mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Asbestos is hazardous because, once inhaled, its fibers become entrapped in the lungs, causing severe physiological damage, the buildup of scar tissue, breathing difficulty, and any one of a number of lung diseases.

Between 1940 and 1970, hundreds of thousands of laborers – such as shipyard workers, construction workers, floor covering installers, pipe fitters, drywallers, auto repair workers, sheet metal workers, cement finishers and installers, and those in similar fields – were exposed to asbestos, unaware of the dangers. According to research: 1) many manufacturers and suppliers were fully aware of the risks of asbestos exposure; and 2) actively hid the facts so that they could keep selling their products and not lose money.

Justifiably, many such companies are now being held responsible and punished for the thousands of asbestos-related deaths and illnesses they have caused. However, several of the larger corporations filed for bankruptcy in the 1980s and 1990s to avoid having to pay damages to victims of asbestos-related diseases. Our attorneys’ goal is to bring these corporations to justice and to see that victims of asbestos exposure receive the compensation they deserve.

If you have developed mesothelioma or another disease as a result for asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation.

Mesothelioma Information

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of cancer that primarily affects the pleura, the thin sac surrounding the outer edges of the lungs. It is caused exclusively by exposure to the mineral asbestos, a naturally occurring, fibrous, lethal substance widely used through the 1970's for insulation and industrial products. When asbestos is inhaled, its fibers become entrapped in the pleura, causing scarring and lesions. They also trigger the development of cancerous tumors.

Peritoneal mesothelioma (also called abdominal mesothelioma) is a similar form of cancer; however, it develops in the abdominal cavity rather than in the lungs and is caused by the ingestion – rather than the inhalation – of asbestos fibers. Both types of the disease are equally dangerous.

Who’s at Risk

Mesothelioma primarily affects those who have worked in high-risk industries. This typically includes shipbuilders, pipefitters, insulation installers, tile workers, welders, refinery workers, and sanders. Exposure need not be long term in order to cause lung problems – in fact, some workers have fallen victim to mesothelioma after working just one summer in a high-risk job location. Further, symptoms of mesothelioma sometimes do not surface until up to 40 years after exposure, leaving some patients in the dark as to why they developed the disease.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include:

» Prolonged coughing
» Coughing up or expectorating blood
» Severe abdominal pain
» Difficult breathing or shortness of breath
» Extreme fatigue
» Chest pains
» Significant weight loss

Treatments

Mesothelioma, for which there is no cure, is most often fatal. Most patients pass away within two years of diagnosis. However, as more advances are made in the medical field, more effective treatments become available. Current options include:

» Minimal medical cancer treatment
» Aggressive medical cancer treatment
» Gene therapy and experimental treatments

Minimal Medical Cancer Treatment

Minimally invasive cancer treatment is intended to make the patient more physically comfortable rather than to treat the disease. It includes pain-relieving narcotics, removal of accumulated fluid in the chest, hospice care or nursing support, and psychological support from family and friends.

Aggressive Medical Cancer Treatment

Aggressive medical cancer treatment refers to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. During cases of very advanced mesothelioma, an extrapleural pneumonectomy may be performed, in which the entire pleura is removed; in some cases, the diaphragm or periocardium (the heart’s lining) may also be removed and replaced with synthetic replicas. Chemotherapy, a strong combination of cancer-fighting drugs administered in pill form or intravenously, is believed to be rather ineffective alone but somewhat successful when given in conjunction with surgery. Therefore, chemotherapy is typically reserved for patients who have undergone extrapleural pneumonectomy. Finally, radiation therapy is primarily administered as a follow-up to surgery; as with chemotherapy, research suggests this treatment is somewhat ineffective alone.  

Gene Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy

Gene therapy and photodynamic therapy are currently being evaluated as alternatives to more traditional mesothelioma treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These methods include gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. Gene therapy involves the injection of specially formulated genetic material into the cancer; the genetic material then attacks the cancerous genes and kills the cancerous cells. During photodynamic therapy, a special drug is injected into the body, and illuminated with a red light. The combination of the drug and the light causes a localized chemical reaction, which kills the cancerous tumors and nearby infectious cells.

For Legal Assistance

If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma, it is imperative to seek legal counsel. Our attorneys can provide you with the effective representation you need to win the compensation you deserve. Please contact us today to learn more.

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