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The Mesothelioma Information Source is designed to
provide hope, resources and peace of mind for people with mesothelioma
and their families. Our goal is to provide straightforward, honest and
meaningful assistance during this difficult time. The lawyers at
Blumenthal & Gruber, LLP are available to answer any questions or
concerns you have about the legal process.
The first step in any successful battle against mesothelioma is to
become informed. Please visit our treatment options page to assist you
in finding mesothelioma specialists or simply call us and we will be
glad to discuss a variety of treatment options with you.
As lawyers who have dedicated their careers to fighting for the rights
of industrial disease victims, our job is to hold the asbestos companies
accountable for the harm they have caused. Please see our legal rights
page where you can find information about financial compensation and
examples of past successes in mesothelioma litigation.
At Blumenthal and Gruber, LLP we pride ourselves in our personal and
ongoing relationships with our clients and their families. Our clients
page will allow you to hear from some of the people we have helped and
learn more about the lawyers at our firm.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare disease caused as a result of malignant cancerous cells lining the patient's body cavities such as chest, abdominal region or the area surrounding the heart. It is typically associated with exposure to asbestos which has been documented in as many as 70-80% of all mesothelioma cases. This disease is very difficult to assess consistently due to the great variability in time before diagnosis and the rate of progression of malignant mesothelioma.
Even insignificant exposure to asbestos (commonly reported in such work environments as asbestos mills, mines, shipping yards, some older Navy ships or patients. homes) is known to result in mesothelioma, which in many cases does not occur for decades after initial exposure to this cancer-causing substance. In the recent years as many as 2000-3000 cases of mesothelioma have been diagnosed per year. It is also known that family members of workers exposed to asbestos can contract this disease through exposure to the worker.s clothing. Smoking greatly increases the risk of contracting mesothelioma.
Some of the earliest symptoms of mesothelioma can often be mistaken for less serious illness and are commonly overlooked. Some patients do not show any signs of sickness in the early stages of development of the disease. Most commonly the symptoms include dyspnea, pleuritic pain, lasting cough, fatigue, and weight loss. However, these can not be easily attributed to mesothelioma unless the patient is examined by their health care provider and necessary tests are done, which may include CT scans, x-rays scans, or MRI. Surgery can be one of the treatment options; however, the recurrence rate of cancerous cells is high. It is very important that the disease is diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
This disease is not linked with patient's race; however it is more common in men. Most cases of mesothelioma occur 30-45 years after initial exposure to asbestos. Once it develops, this cancer will continue to grow until it is treated.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that is extremely toxic when it is inhaled, absorbed, or ingested. It is found in the ground and is mined all over the world. Asbestos used to be used as an insulation material. When asbestos fibers are taken into the body it can cause ailments like mesothelioma and many other problems, such as asbestosis and a number of cancers. Usually extended exposure to asbestos is needed to develop a problem.
Who Is Most At Risk For Mesothelioma?
The people who have been exposed to asbestos and work in the building, construction, shipbuilding, railroad, and automotive industries have a very high risk for developing mesothelioma. Because the industries involved consist mainly of men, over 80% of patients with mesothelioma are male. Any type of exposure to the toxic mineral will increase a person's chance for developing mesothelioma.