Mesothelioma, or Pleural Mesothelioma happens to be a very common type of lung cancer. It is usually the result of exposure to asbestos. Micro fibers contained within asbestos are inhaled. They move along the airways and are trapped in the pleura, which is the thin and somewhat delicate lining that covers the outside of the lungs.
Asbestos Kills Graffiti- Pic by Monojussi
When this happens, there is always scarring and inflammatory lesions that arise which are very serious. As time wears on, the damage caused to the pleura develops into what we know to be Mesothelioma. Unfortunately, this is a deadly type of cancer that affects the lungs. To date there is no known cure for this type of lung cancer.
There are occasions when the asbestos fibers will settle in the abdomen. As with the lungs, this does not bode well for the patient, because with time, Peritoneal Mesothelioma will arise and it is just as lethal as Pleura Mesothelioma.
It might be a long time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms and clinical signs. Some patients have been known to only exhibit symptoms as many as forty years post-exposure to asbestos, making compensation for mesothelioma somewhat trickier to obtain.
What are the symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma?
- Coughing blood
- Stomach pains
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Pains in the chest area
On average, patients diagnosed with this type of cancer usually succumb to the disease within a couple of years after being diagnosed.
Thankfully, researchers have been hard at work to find a treatment and they have made some impressive advancements.
Treatments
- Draining fluid from the chest
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Gene therapy
- Immunotherapy
Compensation for Mesothelioma
When you are diagnosed with Mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you might well be entitled to compensation. There are certain criteria that will come into play regarding whether you are eligible for compensation or not, such as when you suffered the exposure, where you were when it occurred, and the location of the company or companies that you feel are responsible.
When Mesothelioma became more familiar to the public at large, lawsuits seeking compensation for Mesothelioma also began to increase. Because the cancer tends to spread from the lungs to other organs within the body, it is debilitating and compensation is often times warranted. Class action lawsuits for those diagnosed with Mesothelioma focus on large groups of people who are affected. However, there are also individual cases.
Holding the Company Responsible
It must be noted that there are companies that caused workers in their employ to be exposed to asbestos and are no longer in business for whatever reason. The fact that mesothelioma tends to remain dormant for years is one reason why it is difficult to bring a lawsuit against a company that is no longer in operation.
Proving liability is not easy in this kind of scenario. Nevertheless, settlements can still be obtained. Millions of dollars are set aside for Mesothelioma lawsuits so obtaining settlement is not out of the question, even if the company has closed its doors.
Requesting compensation for the damage caused through the careless or downright negligent behavior of companies is a right that you have if you have Mesothelioma and can prove that you have it because of the company. Likewise, even the family members of those who suffered exposure to asbestos and developed Mesothelioma are also entitled to compensation for Mesothelioma.
Of course, people can be exposed to asbestos without working for a shady company with shady practices. Exposure can occur because someone has walked it into your home, or because you have had renovations done to your home. In such instances, a legal suit would be something to consider.
Maximum compensation for Mesothelioma can be obtained through the diligent capabilities of your legal representative provided that you do not delay upon receiving a diagnosis, because this will help you to establish a strong case.
You will likely be able to find rather accomplished attorneys who actually offer their time free when it comes to Mesothelioma. Usually they work on a contingent fee basis. This means that they will receive payment only if they are able to successfully win compensation for their client.
