Asbestos Lawsuit & News Blog

Mesothelioma Lawyer – Mesothelioma - Legal Help

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:59:16 -0400

Do You Need A Mesothelioma Lawyer?

If you work in the labor sector in areas like construction, shipyards, railroads and factories, you run a high risk of contracting this disease. Generally, a number of people find that they have this form of cancer when it is too late. If you already suffer from mesothelioma or run the risk of getting it, it's high time you sought legal help.

Mesothelioma is one of the many diseases that many people suffer from but they aren't even aware of. It is a form of cancer that occurs due to asbestos exposure, particularly if it is inhaled. If you work around asbestos, your employer has the responsibility of ensuring that you are not over-exposed to this material. Apart from that, you should have the right kind of protective gear. If you don't, then it's time you met with a mesothelioma lawyer.

You should also meet with a mesothelioma lawyer if you feel that the asbestos manufacturer is at fault. Asbestos is used in a number of everyday items, like toasters and car brakes. While the health regulations are much stricter now, people who were exposed thirty to forty years ago will only experience the symptoms today. This is what makes mesothelioma such a hard condition to deal with- your life can literally be turned upside down overnight.

The really tragic thing about mesothelioma is that a person may have only a few years to live once it has set in. If you've been diagnosed with this disease, don't waste time. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer immediately. The sooner you start working on getting your case together, the faster you'll be able to get the compensation money that you need and deserve.

Mesothelioma settlement

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:03:51 -0400

W.R. Grace & Co. said recently that it has reached a deal that could be worth more than $3 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits by people who say they were sickened by exposure to the company's asbestos products. The claims against Grace stem from asbestos in the company's building materials and fire- protection products before 1973.

To get a piece of the settlement, claimants will have to apply to the trust fund. A panel will determine if the claim qualifies and then seek to determine an award amount. The amount a victim receives will depend on such factors as age and severity of the illness. The company and some of its current and former executives still face criminal charges.

Some victims were unhappy with the settlement. One victim who lost both of her parents to asbestos disease and now suffers from it herself fears the amount she could receive from the settlement will not cover all her health costs, let alone adequately compensate her for her turmoil.

Workers who made parts for atomic and hydrogen bombs have fallen ill

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:10:05 -0400

Former workers at a bomb components plant in Pinellas County, Florida, have reportedly been stricken with work-related illnesses, including cancer, in shocking numbers.

The GE-owned plant, which is now closed, made components for atomic and hydrogen bombs. Dozens of people who worked there have died and many others are sick from ailments that make be linked to their employment.

"If half the people had known that down the road -- at 50 years of age -- they were going to get cancer, I don't think they would have worked out there," former nuclear worker Robert "Dave" Bossard said.

The U.S. Department of Energy had acknowledged that parts of the former plant site are contaminated with organic solvents and metals.

Mesothelioma - Proper Removal of Asbestos

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 16:49:41 -0400

If asbestos can lead to the cancer condition of mesothelioma it becomes obvious that asbestos must be removed if its presence is detected. This, of course, means ALL the asbestos must be removed. If you hire an asbestos removal service and they do not remove all of the asbestos from your property and you or another occupant contracts this form of cancer then the removal company may be held civilly liable. Keep in mind, asbestos removal is a very serious issue due to the extreme health hazard it presents. If such work is improperly performed then liability lawsuits may be the result.

Working with Asbestos and Avoiding Mesothelioma

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 14:00:28 -0400

If you work in the field of asbestos removal then it is critical that your employer provides proper safety clothing so employees are not infected during the course of their job. Unfortunately, some employers opt to take shortcuts and leave their employees at a severe life threatening risk. If you are an employee of an asbestos removal service and you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma then your employer may be held liable particularly if they were negligent in maintaining your safety. As such, any diagnosis of mesothelioma should be followed up with a visit to an attorney in order to assess your legal options.

Mesothelioma and the Greatest Generation

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 15:32:28 -0400

One of the sad facts of the history of mesothelioma is that it is a cancer that has befallen many of the members of the Greatest Generation. This is because in the 1940's no one knew the risks associated with asbestos exposure and many navy ships insulated their pipes with asbestos. As such, many veterans were unfortunately exposed to this material and developed mesothelioma cancer. The famous movie star Steve McQueen, for example, died from mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to asbestos during the war. While McQueen is probably the most famous case of the dangers of such a cancer he is sadly far from the only example. Thankfully, the knowledge of the dangers of asbestos has increased but the condition itself remains as deadly as ever.

Avoiding Asbestos Exposure

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:31:07 -0400

As much as we do not like to think of the potentially dire consequences one can suffer when afflicted with cancer it becomes critical to learn as much about the various preventive steps needed to avoid certain types of cancer. The cancer known as mesothelioma is caused from exposure to asbestos and this means that exposure to asbestos must either be completely avoided unless one is removing the asbestos from a contained environment. Additionally, if one is removing the asbestos such actions should only be conducted while wearing the proper safety attire. Again, the ability to avoid contracting mesothelioma goes hand in hand with avoiding contact with asbestos. While there are no guarantees in life this little piece of knowledge can go a great ways in reducing the onset of this type of cancer.

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:14:06 -0400

When malignant cancerous cells are discovered in the mesothelium, which is the protective sac that surrounds the internal organs in the body, it is commonly identified as mesothelioma. This form of rare cancer has been linked to be caused by the inhalation of asbestos by laborers who have worked at jobsites where there are asbestos particles. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding mesothelioma.

What is the function of the mesothelium?
The membrane that surrounds and protects various internal organs such as the thoracal cavity, or the pleura, the abdominal cavity, which is the peritoneum, and the heart sac, also known as the pericardium, inside the body is called the mesothelium. The mesothelial tissue also surrounds the male reproductive organs and is referred to as the tunica vaginalis testis. The female organs are protected by the serosa uteri.

As the mesothelium forms the lining around the internal organs, it has a layer that immediately surrounds the internal organ called the visceral mesotheluim, and another layer, the parietal mesothelium, that forms a sac that covers the body walls. The production of a lubricating fluid in between these layers helps provide a slippery surface to enable moving organs to have intracoelomic movement which makes it easier to glide against adjacent structures.

The mesothelium also serves to help in the transportation and the movement of fluid and particulate matter across the serosal cavities, leukocyte migration that happens because of inflammatory matters, combining of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the aiding of serosal repair through growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins, and the promotion and clearance of the fibrin such as plasminogen. Likewise, it is an antigen presenting cell. Furthermore, the secretion of glycosaminoglycans and lubricants will protect the body from any infection and tumor dissemination.

What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelimoa is cancer of the mesothelium, and is most commonly related to previous over-exposure to asbestos. This disease causes the cells of the mesothelium to become abnormal and then divide without any control or order. The nearby tissues and organs are then invaded and damaged. With most cases of mesothelioma usually starting in the pleura or peritoneum, it can also metastasize, or spread, from the original site and continue on in to other parts of the body.

The majority or people who develop mesothelioma have either worked on a jobsite where there was exposure to the inhalation of asbestos particles, or there was exposure to the asbestos dust and fibers from non-direct contact, but rather, contact with a family member who had direct contact. This non-direct contact may have been the result as something as simple as clothes being laundered in the same wash load.

How common is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is concerned a relatively rare disease, in that approximately 7-40 out of 1,000,000 people are diagnosed with it. In the past twenty years alone, about 2,000 new cases are diagnosed every year in the United States. It also appears that men are more often diagnosed with Mesothelioma than women, and that the risk can increase with age.

What are the risk factors for Mesothelioma?
There are many risk factors for mesothelioma, but the most common risk factor would be working with asbestos. There are approxiamately 70 to 80 percent of reported cases that involve a history of working in an environment that had asbestos exposure. Yet, there are still some reported cases of mesothelioma that had absolutely no known history of any exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos consist of a group of minerals comprised of long, thin, fibrous minerals, or crystals. Asbestos was once a preferred material to use during the manufacturing and building of various buildings and such due to the asbestos being resistant to heat, electricity and chemical damage, as well as, sound absorption and tensile strength. Since asbestos consist of strong masses of flexible fibers that can separate into thin threads, and then woven, asbestos is widely used for many industrial products. Asbestos is used in such things as brake shoes, gaskets, cement, roof shingles, electrical insulation, and even textiles and flooring products.

It is when the tiny asbestos particles are released into the air during the manufacturing process that the asbestos is inhaled or swallowed, causing the related health problems. This inhalation can be the cause of not only mesothelioma, but also, asbestosis, which is a non-cancerous lung ailment, actual lung cancer, and even various other cancers such as in the larynx or kidneys.

As smoking has not appeared to actually increase the risk of mesothelioma, it does seem to be linked when combined with asbestos exposure. The combination of smoking and asbestos has been drastically related in the development of cancer in the passageways of the lungs.

Who is at an increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
As asbestos has been mined for commercial use since the late 1800s, and the use of asbestos increased during the time of World War II, millions of American workers have at some point in time been exposed to asbestos dust since the early 1940s.

In the beginning, any associated risk to asbestos exposure was unknown, but an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later discovered among shipyard workers, asbestos miners and millers, producers of asbestos products, heating and construction industry workers, and similar tradespersons who worked with or around asbestos. This led to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, establishing acceptable asbestos exposure levels in the workplace. Now people who work with or around asbestos are also encouraged, if not required, to wear personal protective equipment to help decrease any risk of asbestos exposure.

The risk of asbestos related diseases may increase with heavier exposure or even longer exposure time, but even brief exposure has shown to be the cause of developing mesothelioma in some individuals. It should also be kept in mind that not all workers who have been even heavily exposed to asbestos have developed asbestos related diseases.

Evidence has also developed which has linked family members or others that live with someone who has worked with or around asbestos have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos related diseases. The association of this risk is due to workers that are exposed to asbestos bring home the asbestos fibers in clothing or in hair, and then become transferred to others in the household. With this new found discovery, asbestos workers are usually required to change clothes, and even shower, before leaving the workplace.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
There are various symptoms associated with mesothelioma, but may not even appear for about 30 to 50 years AFTER the exposure to asbestos. Some of these symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include a shortness of breath and pain in the chest which is brought on by the accumulation of fluid that has collected in the pluers. Peritoneal mesothelioma may have symptoms of weight loss, abdominal pain, and swellings caused by a buildup of fluid in the abdomen, or even bowl obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. Should the cancer spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, then symptoms could also include pain, swelling of the neck or face, and trouble swallowing.

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
As mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms can be similar to a number of other conditions, it is important to remember that only a doctor can accurately make a diagnosis. A proper diagnosis usually begins with the patient’s medical history being reviewed, which should include any history of asbestos exposure. Then, a complete physical exam may be performed, which could include chest X-Rays, as well as, abdomen and lung function tests. Other test may be ordered to be performed at the doctor’s discretion.

Once mesothelioma is suspected, it will be necessary to have a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. During the biopsy, a medical oncologist or surgeon will remove a sample of tissue that will be examined by a pathologist under a microscope. There are many different ways that a biopsy may be done based on where the abnormal area may be located.

Should the diagnosis be mesothelioma, the next step is for the doctor to determine the stage, or extent, of the disease. By knowing the exact stage of where the cancer is at and whether it may have spread to other parts of the body, will aid the doctor in a more specific treatment plan.

If the mesothelioma is described as localized, then the cancer has be found in only the membrane surface where it originated. Should the mesothelioma be classified as advanced, it has spread beyond the original membrane surface and has developed in other parts of the body.

How is mesothelioma treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma is based on the location of the cancer, at what stage the disease may be, and specifics about the patient such as age and overall health. Standard treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. There may be circumstances where these treatments may be used in combination with one another.

The most common treatment method for mesothelioma is surgery. The doctor may remove the infected area, and any necessary surrounding area, in order to get rid of all the cancerous cells, and prevent the spreading to other areas of the body.

With radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, the involving of high-energy rays are used to kill the cancer cells and shrink any tumors. Radiation therapy will affect the cancer cells only in any treated areas.

Chemotherapy is an anti-cancerous drug that is prescribed to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most of the prescribed drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by an injection into a vein, intravenous or IV.

New treatments are being sought in the fight against mesothelioma. Until such time as mesothelioma can be completely wiped out, there will be patients and loved ones that will continue to suffer. If there is a patient or loved that is suffering and would like to schedule a free no obligation consultation, click here to find out more information.

Mesothelioma

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:53:37 -0400

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by the continued exposure to asbestos, and therefore, is most commonly found in people who have previous spent many hours working on a job where there was exposure to asbestos dust and fibers. This form of cancer occurs when malignant cells develop in the protective lining that covers the internal organs of the body, also known as the mesothelium.

There are four different categories and many stages based on where the area is that is affected by the cancer and how far it has progressed. Should the cancer be in the tissue that surrounds the lungs, or pleura, this is call pleural mesothelioma, and is actually the most common form. If the mesothelioma is in the surrounding tissue of the abdomen, or peritoneum, then the cancer is referred to as peritoneal mesothelioma, and is what accounts for 10-20 percent of all mesotheliomas. Although, there are rare cases where the lining around the heart, or pericardium, is affected, and even the lining around the testicles, or tunica vaginalis.

A mesothelioma biopsy is usually done to determine if a person has been affected. Once diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, it is imperative to seek treatment. Should the course of treatment not have the desired result, and something more needs to be done, click here to find out more about the available options.

Workplace Safety Improves in Ship Building Industry

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:16:45 -0400

Shipbuilding is one of the most dangerous industrial jobs. However, over the past 14 years, the shipbuilding and ship-repair industry has seen its rate of recordable injuries and illnesses cases requiring medical care beyond first aid fall sharply.

According to the Labor Department, in 1992, there were 37.8 job injuries and illnesses per 100 shipbuilding workers. By 2005, that figure had dropped to 10.9 cases per 100 workers which is a 71 percent reduction. Shipbuilding was the third most dangerous industry in 1994. Today, it's ranked 24th.
There's just something about cutting and bending steel, welding thousands of parts, hooking up electrical systems, crawling through confined spaces and working on small platforms hundreds of feet in the air that carries great risk.

Northrop Grumman Newport News (Rhode Island), the country's largest shipyard and maker and repairer of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, has helped reduced the workplace accident problem. The shipyard, which accounts for a fifth of the private shipbuilding industry's work force, has seen fewer cases than the industry average in each of those 14 years.
Shipbuilding still has national injury and illness rates more than double the average workplace. The Northrop Grumman Newport News yard hasn't been immune to the dangers even fatal ones: In 1997, three pipe fitters died on the Harry Truman when a pump room that they were working in filled with lethal gas and sewage. In 1998, a subcontractor was found floating near a pier, the victim of a fatal accident. And in 2004, a 23-year-old apprentice electrician was electrocuted while working outdoors on an air conditioning system.

A shipyard worker and member of the safety committee says the declining injury rate at the yard was mostly about teamwork where workers get after each other to be safe and staying vigilant about it. Recent improvements in the injury rates for the shipyard and the nation began in earnest with the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Act of the early 1970s, which regulates everything from protective gear to tools to hazardous materials and everything in between.

The Newport News yard is the only private shipyard in the nation that participates in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program, which goes beyond the basic regulations. The shipyard has morning meetings, called "Take Five for Safety", in which supervisors and workers spend five minutes going over safety issues.

Safety has taken big leaps over the decades. One area that has seen particularly big improvement is in the scaffolding systems on which workers stand during construction. Years ago, it was untreated wooden staging and it would catch fire by welding and burning. Now, most of it is interlocking fabricated metal. Employees working on those scaffolds in dangerous locations never used to latch themselves in with a belt and clip. But they are required to do so now - as well as wear goggles, earmuffs, steel-toed boots, and helmets.

Workers universally say they are glad that safety is stressed at the yard. Without reminders, it's easy to forget a policy on wearing protective gear. The shipyard has committed to the view that employees have the right and the expectation to be able to leave here in the same condition they came at the start of their shift.

Even with the workplace safety improvements, taking steel and turning it into ships is dangerous work and safety will always have to be an ongoing priority.

(Source: The Providence Journal)
http://www.projo.com/business/content/BZ_shipbuilding_07-28-07_V94A13P.25d965a.html