Anyone looking to claim compensation for asbestos related cancer in the Utah area will need to hire the services of an experienced and specialized Utah mesothelioma lawyer or attorney. Asbestos related cancer, known as mesothelioma, can affect the heart, lungs, or abdominal region, and due to its long latency period, this form of cancer can take decades to develop. Once it is developed, it can reduce the lifespan of the victim to just a few months. There is currently no cure available for mesothelioma.
Many different industries in the Utah area used asbestos in a variety of applications in the past. This was a material that was cost effective, had a high level of heat and fire resistance, and was very versatile. Many people in the Utah area worked with asbestos and asbestos products in these various industries over the years, and some may have handled and exposed themselves to asbestos for many years and at very high levels.
In the 1980s, it became widely known that asbestos was a very dangerous substance that could result in a wide range of health related problems, including scarring of the lungs and respiratory problems. It was also discovered that exposure to airborne asbestos dust and fibers over a long term or at very high levels could result in a form of cancer known as mesothelioma. For the many people who had already spent many years working with asbestos with no protection against this exposure, this news came too late.
Anyone who has developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure in Utah may be entitled to claim compensation and should seek the assistance of an experienced Utah mesothelioma lawyer or attorney. If you have lost a loved one to this cancer, you may also be able to file a claim, and you should speak to a specialized Utah mesothelioma lawyer or attorney. It is important to contact a Utah mesothelioma lawyer or attorney early on so that you don’t exceed the statutes of limitation in place in Utah.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Mesothelioma Lawyers
They work for emergency fee basis. You do not need to worry about their payments. They get their payments only after successfully settling your case. Patients can get the help and advice from the lawyers to get the compensation for their disease.
Mesothelioma Lawyers - Important Information for Patients
Deciding to pursue legal recourse and selecting an attorney to represent you in a mesothelioma or asbestos lawsuit are important decisions that should be made carefully. I have seen some families receive $500,000 and others be awarded nearly $30 million. I have seen some lawyers reject a case only to have another firm accept it and make a big success of it. And I have seen some families wait nearly three years to receive their first check while others received large checks within three months of filing a claim. The main reasons for these differences are the facts of the patient's situation and the law firm chosen.
The Facts of Your Situation
Some mesothelioma patients know they worked around asbestos, but many do not know how they were exposed or how often. In fact, many people are not sure if they were ever near this carcinogen. Unfortunately, there have been thousands of products that contained asbestos - cigarette filters, hair dryers, brakes, basement and roof materials, pipes, boilers, insulation, and many other products found throughout the home and at work. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma it is more than likely that you were exposed to asbestos multiple times in your life and that this happened decades before your diagnosis.
In general, the value of your case depends on how many asbestos containing products you were exposed to, the number of identifiable defendants that still exist (many have declared bankruptcy), your age and earning capacity. And the speed of your case can depend on a number of variables including the state where you worked and lived when you were exposed to asbestos.
The Law Firm You Choose
When you have been given the news about this terrible disease, you may not feel that you have the time to deal with the legal questions - Should I talk to a lawyer? Should I file a claim? However, you should not wait too long to learn about your legal rights for at least three reasons:
• Statutes of Limitations - There are statute of limitations which means you only have a limited time to file your case after diagnosis. The statute of limitations time period is set by individual states and varies. The clock usually starts ticking on the day of diagnosis.
• Financial Pressure - A mesothelioma diagnosis can bring financial stress, less income, more expenses, and treatments that are not covered by insurance. Knowing that money may be on the way from filing a claim can bring financial relief.
• Lawyers Can be Excellent Resources - The more experienced mesothelioma lawyers and law firms can often be excellent sources of information about various doctors and treatment options available for this disease.
But, picking a lawyer is serious business and you should not use TV ads as the reason to hire an attorney. Actual credentials are what counts. For example, what type of accomplishments has the law firm achieved? How committed are they to mesothelioma/asbestos cases? Are these cases a substantial part of their practice or just a small piece? How many other cases like yours have they handled?
Also, make sure you understand the fees being charges. Contingency is the term that means that the lawyer gets paid only after they collect money for you. The amount of the contingency fee that your lawyer can charge varies and is usually between 33% and 40%. It is important to discuss fees openly, ask what services they cover, how they are calculated, and whether there will be any extra charges.
Finally, for something as important as a mesothelioma lawsuit, your attorney should not only be experienced, skilled, and dedicated, but also a trusted partner who understands that your health needs always take precedence. The best lawyers are those that are not only expert at what they do, but are also caring, supportive, thoughtful and compassionate.
Below are experienced mesothelioma law firms you can contact. If you would like additional information on choosing a reputable mesothelioma law firm please feel free to call me at 1-619-599-3112.
California
Paul & Hanley
If you are a resident of California and were diagnosed with mesothelioma please call Jerry Neil Paul of Paul & Hanley. Paul & Hanley has garnered many of the most significant California verdicts and they are dedicated to helping victims of mesothelioma. Call: 1-800-281-9804.
New York and New Jersey
Levy Phillips & Konigsberg LLP ("LPK")
If you or someone you know has mesothelioma and has ever lived (or performed any work) in NY or NJ, call LPK for a free consultation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (1-800-637-6529) or visit their website. LPK has over three decades of experience, including many top mesothelioma jury awards in NY and NJ.
Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania or Tennessee
The Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos, P.C.
If you or someone you know has mesothelioma and has ever lived or performed work in Md., De., D.C., Pa. or Tn. please call or email the The Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos, P.C. for a free consultation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1-800-556- 5522, www.angeloslaw.com. The Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos, P.C. has specialized in asbestos litigation since the early 1980's.
All Other States
Michael Horwin, MA, JD
Michael Horwin is an attorney, the President of Cancer Monthly, and the publisher of cancer books and reviews including: Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient's Guide, A Mesothelioma Survivor's Story, CancerWire, and Mesothelioma Treatment Update. He has helped hundreds of mesothelioma patients over the years. He can help you identify reputable mesothelioma law firms in all states. His number is 619-599-3112.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer. The previous exposure to asbestos are almost always cause for it. In this ailment, pestilent cells develop in the mesothelium, a caring lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall). It may also arise in the tunica vaginalis, the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart) or the heart.
Most mesothelioma infected people have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways or they have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. It also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma by washing the clothes of another person who worked with asbestos. There is no connection between smoking and mesothelioma unlike lung cancer. One of the important issues in mesothelioma is compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits.
Most mesothelioma infected people have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways or they have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. It also put a person at risk for developing mesothelioma by washing the clothes of another person who worked with asbestos. There is no connection between smoking and mesothelioma unlike lung cancer. One of the important issues in mesothelioma is compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits.
The symptoms of mesothelioma
Generally the early mesothelioma symptoms are non-specific. It can’t be identifying at the beginning. It may also lead to a delay in diagnosis.
The general symptom of mesothelioma is weight loss. The other symptoms are chest wall pain or shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the chest wall and the lung). The diagnosis may be suspected with CT scan and chest X-ray. It is confirmed with a microscopic examination and a biopsy (tissue sample). A thoracoscopy (put in a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It concedes the introduction of substances such as talc to destroy the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Some research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is being conducted by the researches at present.
An ache due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity), cachexia and weight loss and abdominal protuberance are the common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. Others are fever, anemia, blood clotting abnormalities, and bowel obstruction. A trouble swallowing or swelling of the neck or face and pain are the symptoms, if the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
• Fatigue or anemia
• Shortness of breath
• Chest wall pain
• Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
• Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
• Fluid surrounding the lung or Pleural effusion
In critical cases, the patients may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body. Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
• A mass in the abdomen
• An abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen or ascites
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Problems with bowel function
In severe cases of the Mesothelioma, the bellow signs and symptoms may be present:
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin, or jaundice
• Pleural effusion
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
• Blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
• Low blood sugar level
• Severe ascites
• Blood clots in the arteries of the lungs or pulmonary emboli
The general symptom of mesothelioma is weight loss. The other symptoms are chest wall pain or shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the chest wall and the lung). The diagnosis may be suspected with CT scan and chest X-ray. It is confirmed with a microscopic examination and a biopsy (tissue sample). A thoracoscopy (put in a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It concedes the introduction of substances such as talc to destroy the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Some research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is being conducted by the researches at present.
An ache due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity), cachexia and weight loss and abdominal protuberance are the common symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma. Others are fever, anemia, blood clotting abnormalities, and bowel obstruction. A trouble swallowing or swelling of the neck or face and pain are the symptoms, if the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body.
Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:
• Fatigue or anemia
• Shortness of breath
• Chest wall pain
• Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough
• Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis)
• Fluid surrounding the lung or Pleural effusion
In critical cases, the patients may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body. Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:
• A mass in the abdomen
• An abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen or ascites
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Problems with bowel function
In severe cases of the Mesothelioma, the bellow signs and symptoms may be present:
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin, or jaundice
• Pleural effusion
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs
• Blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis
• Low blood sugar level
• Severe ascites
• Blood clots in the arteries of the lungs or pulmonary emboli
Friday, March 6, 2009
Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnosing Mesothelioma as the symptoms of Mesothelioma are similar to some of the other conditions. The doctors begin diagnosis by reviewing the medical history of the patient. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for Mesothelioma. The doctors perform a physical examination, followed by lung function tests and the chest X-ray. The X-ray may disclose pleural thickening commonly seen after asbestos exposure and increases suspicion of Mesothelioma. The doctors usually perform a CT scan or MRI scan for diagnosis the Mesothelioma. Abnormal cells may be detected by aspirating the fluid by a syringe if a large amount of fluid is present. While absence of malignant cells on cytology does not completely exclude Mesothelioma, it makes it much more unlikely, especially if an alternative diagnosis can be made (e.g. heart failure, tuberculosis).
If a plaque is regarded or cytology is positive as suspicious the doctors perform a Biopsy test to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. A sample of tissue is removed by the doctor for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A Biopsy test may be done in different ways. It depends on where the abnormal area is located.A Thoracoscopy may be performed if the cancer is in the chest. In this procedure a small cut is made by the doctor through the chest wall and then a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope is put into the chest between two ribs. From this the doctor can look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. A Laparoscopy surgery may be performed by the doctor if the cancer is in the abdomen. A small incision in the abdomen is made and then a special instrument is inserted into the abdominal cavity by the doctor to obtain tissue for examination. More extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary if these procedures do not yield enough tissue.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Mesothelioma Stages
After a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma the next step is to do some tests to make sure whether the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body or not. It is very important determining the stage of the mesothelioma a patient is in. This helps in planning the treatment of a patient. At present, there are three staging systems in use for pleural mesothelioma. The latest systems are Brigham system and the TNM system.
• Butchart Staging System
• The TNM System
• The Brigham Staging System
Butchart Staging System
Butchart system is the most often used staging system for mesothelioma. Mainly, this system is based on the extent of the primary tumor mass. This has the following stages.
Stage I :
Mesothelioma is existent within the right or left pleura. It may also involve the diaphragm on the same side or pericardium, lung.
Stage II :
Mesothelioma involves the pleura on both sides or oesophagus, heart or attacks the chest wall.
Stage III :
Mesothelioma has pervaded through the diaphragm into the peritoneum. Lymph nodes beyond those in the chest may also be involved.
Stage IV :
There is evidence of distant metastases.
The TNM system
This is also called the International Mesothelioma Interest Group staging system. The TNM system express the extent of the primary tumor (T), the presence or absence of cancer in nearby lymph nodes (N), and the presence or absence of distant metastases (M). Once the TNM groups have been decided, this fact is grouped together to give the stage. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 is the most advanced stage.
Stage I :
Mesothelioma attacks one layer of the pleura only. It may have already grown into pericardium and the diaphragm.
Stage II :
Mesothelioma has spread to both layers of the pleura on one side of the body only
Stage III :
Mesothelioma has spread to the food pipe or lymph nodes on the same side of the chest and the chest wall.
Stage IV :
Mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream to other organs in the body. This includes the brain, liver or bone or to lymph nodes on the other side of the chest.
The Brigham Staging System
Stage I :
In this stage the doctors can remove the mesothelioma with surgery. Also there are no lymph nodes containing cancer cells.
Stage II:
Mesothelioma can be removed with surgery same as stage I. But unlike stage I, there are lymph nodes containing cancer cells.
Stage III :
The doctors cant remove mesothelioma with surgery as it has spread into the heart, chest wall, or through the diaphragm into the peritoneum. Sometimes the lymph nodes contains cancer cells.
Stage IV :
Mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream to other organs in the body such as the liver, brain or bone.
• Butchart Staging System
• The TNM System
• The Brigham Staging System
Butchart Staging System
Butchart system is the most often used staging system for mesothelioma. Mainly, this system is based on the extent of the primary tumor mass. This has the following stages.
Stage I :
Mesothelioma is existent within the right or left pleura. It may also involve the diaphragm on the same side or pericardium, lung.
Stage II :
Mesothelioma involves the pleura on both sides or oesophagus, heart or attacks the chest wall.
Stage III :
Mesothelioma has pervaded through the diaphragm into the peritoneum. Lymph nodes beyond those in the chest may also be involved.
Stage IV :
There is evidence of distant metastases.
The TNM system
This is also called the International Mesothelioma Interest Group staging system. The TNM system express the extent of the primary tumor (T), the presence or absence of cancer in nearby lymph nodes (N), and the presence or absence of distant metastases (M). Once the TNM groups have been decided, this fact is grouped together to give the stage. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 is the most advanced stage.
Stage I :
Mesothelioma attacks one layer of the pleura only. It may have already grown into pericardium and the diaphragm.
Stage II :
Mesothelioma has spread to both layers of the pleura on one side of the body only
Stage III :
Mesothelioma has spread to the food pipe or lymph nodes on the same side of the chest and the chest wall.
Stage IV :
Mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream to other organs in the body. This includes the brain, liver or bone or to lymph nodes on the other side of the chest.
The Brigham Staging System
Stage I :
In this stage the doctors can remove the mesothelioma with surgery. Also there are no lymph nodes containing cancer cells.
Stage II:
Mesothelioma can be removed with surgery same as stage I. But unlike stage I, there are lymph nodes containing cancer cells.
Stage III :
The doctors cant remove mesothelioma with surgery as it has spread into the heart, chest wall, or through the diaphragm into the peritoneum. Sometimes the lymph nodes contains cancer cells.
Stage IV :
Mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream to other organs in the body such as the liver, brain or bone.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The History of Mesothelioma
The North American Experience with Malignant Mesothelioma
Incidence
In the United States
In 1890 Biggs’ reported a case of ‘endothelioma’ of the pleura. This report may have been the first recognized case of malignant mesothelioma in North America. Since then the incidence of mesothelioma in North America and the world has steadily climbed.
Studies of the incidence of mesothelioma in North America have been hampered by a paucity of data. Before 1988, the United States did not even have a specific code for mesothelioma, so many cases were misclassified on death certificates as lung cancers or abdominal cancers. In the United States, the best estimates of mesothelioma incidence are derived from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute. The SEER database includes about 9.5 per cent of the United States population. It covers 10 regional areas, in five states (Connecticut, Iowa, New Mexico, Utah and Hawaii), and five major urban areas – San Francisco-Oakland, New Orleans, Seattle, Atlanta and Detroit. Although the SEER regions are reasonably representative of the United States population in terms of demographic and epidemiological factors, the program may not accurately reflect the country as a whole. It includes some shipbuilding areas, but large urban areas where asbestos was used in manufacturing and construction are underrepresented. The database is organized by case; each case is identified by age, sex, race, date of diagnosis and cancer type. The data for mesothelioma are published only intermittently. However, this database provides the most comprehensive national incidence data available for this disease.
In 1997 Price’ analyzed the SEER data for mesothelioma. He divided the data into five-year age groups in each diagnosis year. He found the consistently higher rate for mesothelioma in men than the women. The rate for women remained relatively constant over the years. On the other hand, the rate for men increased until 1992, when it peaked at 1.9 per 100 000 people.
Incidence
In the United States
In 1890 Biggs’ reported a case of ‘endothelioma’ of the pleura. This report may have been the first recognized case of malignant mesothelioma in North America. Since then the incidence of mesothelioma in North America and the world has steadily climbed.
Studies of the incidence of mesothelioma in North America have been hampered by a paucity of data. Before 1988, the United States did not even have a specific code for mesothelioma, so many cases were misclassified on death certificates as lung cancers or abdominal cancers. In the United States, the best estimates of mesothelioma incidence are derived from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute. The SEER database includes about 9.5 per cent of the United States population. It covers 10 regional areas, in five states (Connecticut, Iowa, New Mexico, Utah and Hawaii), and five major urban areas – San Francisco-Oakland, New Orleans, Seattle, Atlanta and Detroit. Although the SEER regions are reasonably representative of the United States population in terms of demographic and epidemiological factors, the program may not accurately reflect the country as a whole. It includes some shipbuilding areas, but large urban areas where asbestos was used in manufacturing and construction are underrepresented. The database is organized by case; each case is identified by age, sex, race, date of diagnosis and cancer type. The data for mesothelioma are published only intermittently. However, this database provides the most comprehensive national incidence data available for this disease.
In 1997 Price’ analyzed the SEER data for mesothelioma. He divided the data into five-year age groups in each diagnosis year. He found the consistently higher rate for mesothelioma in men than the women. The rate for women remained relatively constant over the years. On the other hand, the rate for men increased until 1992, when it peaked at 1.9 per 100 000 people.
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