Monday, February 11, 2008

If you are looking for mesothelioma lawyers then you should look for one with experience so you know you will be in good hands. Most people who have mesothelioma were working at a job where they were exposed to asbestos. The reason you want the top mesothelioma lawyers is so you will get the money you deserve.

Mesothelioma lawyers can be tough to choose between. A great question to ask mesothelioma lawyers is how the fees and expenses will be handles. For example, you need to be certain when you will be paid and when you will owe them their money. This may seem simple but it is a good question to ask.

The top question to ask mesothelioma lawyers is if they have ever handled a mesothelioma case before. Find out how many they have handled and the results. Is mesothelioma cancer a specialty that their mesothelioma lawyers handle or do they provide a range of other services? The best way to make certain you get good mesothelioma lawyers is to ask as many questions as possible.

Mesothelioma can be tough to deal with so you may as well look for the best mesothelioma lawyers possible. For more information check out the top mesothelioma lawyers website.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Mesothelioma is a cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the sac lining of the chest or abdomen. Exposure to airborne asbestos particles increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma. Companies manufacturing products containing asbestos have known for over 60 years that asbestos can cause serious diseases.

Mesothelioma is serious and life-threatening. By the time cancer is diagnosed the survival time of patients is usually short. Mesothelioma usually spreads throughout the peritoneal or pleural cavity before diagnosis, and complete surgical removal is unlikely. Because of this, the average survival time is only 1 year. If the cancer is found early, approximately 50% of the patients survive 2 years and approximately 20% survive 5 years. Additionally, unlike with other tumors, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are not very effective.

Your reasons behind getting a mesothelioma lawyer may vary but it is still probably a good idea.
Early symptoms of mesothelioma are difficult to identify and therefore often overlooked. Pleural mesothelioma symptoms may first appear as shortness of breath, chest pains or persistent cough or a change in cough pattern. Some patients however, may show no symptoms at all. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include pain or swelling in the abdomen, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swollen feet. Malignant mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor of the pleura (lining of the lung and chest cavity) or peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) that is almost always caused by sustained exposure to asbestos.

Malignant mesothelioma is a diffuse tumor that affects men more frequently than women. Sustained exposure to asbestos is the predominant risk factor. However, smoking dramatically increases risk amongst the asbestos-exposed. The latent period between asbestos exposure and onset of symptoms can be 20 to 50 years or even longer. The median age of diagnosis is 60. The tumor can spread rapidly to involve the pericardium (sac around the heart), mediastinum, and opposite pleura. Progressive pain and shortness of breath can occur. The tumor is usually associated with a pleural effusion.
Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma worked at jobs where they were exposed to asbestos. Exposure for as few as one or two months can lead to mesothelioma 10 to 50 years later. The long latency period means that people exposed to asbestos in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and 1980's may now be seeing symptoms and are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to Asbestos and been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified toxic substances attorney.