Helping asbestos exposure victims and their families file claims with experienced Malignant Mesothelioma lawyers for 10 years.

Malignant Mesothelioma 

Malignant Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or abdomen (the peritoneum).

Most people with malignant Mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos.

A doctor should be seen if a person has shortness of breath, pain in the chest, or pain or swelling in the abdomen. If there are symptoms, the doctor may order an x-ray of the chest or abdomen.

The doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. A cut will be made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be put into the chest between two ribs. This test, called thoracoscopy, is usually done in the hospital. Before the test, the patient will be given a local anesthetic (a drug that causes a loss of feeling for a short period of time). Some pressure may be felt, but usually there is no pain.

The doctor may also look inside the abdomen (peritoneoscopy) with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is put into an opening made in the abdomen. This test is also usually done in the hospital. Before the test is done, a local anesthetic will be given.

If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and have it looked at under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. Biopsies are usually done during the thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the size of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, how the cancer responds to treatment, and the patient's age.

Symptoms of Malignant Mesothelioma

Symptoms may not appear until 20 - 50 years or longer after exposure to asbestos, and may include:

• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss

Stages of Malignant Mesothelioma

Once malignant Mesothelioma is found, more tests will be done to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging. A doctor needs to know the stage of the cancer to plan treatment. The following stages are used for malignant Mesothelioma.

Localized Malignant Mesothelioma

• Stage I: The cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity near the lung and heart or in the diaphragm or the lung.

Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma

• Stage II: The cancer has spread beyond the lining of the chest to lymph nodes in the chest.
• Stage III: Cancer has spread into the chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm, or abdominal lining, and in some cases into nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.

Recurrent Malignant Mesothelioma

Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the lining of the chest or abdomen or in another part of the body.

Treatment for Malignant Mesothelioma

There are treatments for all patients with malignant Mesothelioma. Three kinds of treatment are used:

• Surgery (taking out the cancer)
• Radiation therapy (using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells)
• Chemotherapy (using drugs to fight the cancer)

Surgery is a common treatment of malignant Mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, a lung also may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the 
Standard treatment may be considered because of its effectiveness in patients in past studies, or participation in a clinical trial may be considered. Not all patients are cured with standard therapy and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired. For these reasons, clinical trials are designed to find better ways to treat cancer patients and are based on the most up-to-date information.

Clinical trials are ongoing in many parts of the country for many patients with malignant Mesothelioma. 
If the cancer is only in one place in the chest or abdomen, treatment will probably be surgery to remove part of the pleura and some of the tissue around it.
If the cancer is found in a larger part of the pleura, treatment may be one of the following:

• Surgery to remove the pleura and the tissue near it to relieve symptoms, with or without radiation therapy after surgery.
• Surgery to remove sections of the pleura, the lung, part of the diaphragm, and part of the lining around the heart.
• External beam radiation therapy to relieve symptoms.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy given inside the chest.
• A clinical trial of surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma (Stages II, III and IV)

Treatment may be one of the following:

• Draining of fluid in the chest or abdomen (thoracentesis or paracentesis) to reduce discomfort. Drugs also may be put into the chest or abdomen to prevent further collection of fluid.
• Surgery to relieve symptoms.
• Radiation therapy to relieve symptoms.
• Chemotherapy.
• A clinical trial of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
• Chemotherapy given in the chest or abdomen.

Source: http://mesotheliomaasbestoshelpcenter.com/mesothelioma-cancer/malignant-mesothelioma.html
Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer Quick Facts:

• Each year 2500-3000 new Mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in the United States.
• Men comprise of more than 75% of Mesothelioma cases.
• Once Diagnosed, a Mesothelioma patient will survive 10-12 months.
• The survival rate among Mesothelioma patients for more than 5 years in only 10%.
• More than 20 million American workers were been exposed to asbestos during 1920-1980.
• Mesothelioma cases are found in 9 out of every 1 million people.
• Mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancers have a latency period of 10-50 years.
• Asbestos exposure claims the life of one out of every 125 American men who die over the age of 50.
• In the last 40 years more than 6,000 asbestos companies have been named in Mesothelioma and Asbestos claims.

• There have been more than 700,000 Mesothelioma and asbestos-related claims with an estimated value of 275 billion.

Finding the right experienced Malignant Mesothelioma lawyer will be very important to your case and your settlement. Asbestos related deaths are on the increase in the U. S. and recent studies have shown that asbestos exposure claims the life of one out of every 125 American men who die over the age of 50. American workers and their families were exposed to deadly asbestos dust and fibers with highest exposure years being 1940-1980. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers are diagnosed 10-50 years after your initial exposure.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or an asbestos related cancer we can help you start an asbestos claim against asbestos companies responsible. Our nationwide Malignant Mesothelioma lawyers will come to you.

Searching for a Mesothelioma lawyer can be a difficult task. The competition among Asbestos law firms to find Mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancer victims makes it very hard to navigate through the internet to find the right Mesothelioma lawyer for you. When you type in an online search for "Mesothelioma lawyer" or "Mesothelioma attorney” you will search find results that number in the millions because of the high dollar settlements for a Mesothelioma case.

Choosing the right Mesothelioma lawyer to represent you in your lawsuit is a very personal decision. You should feel good about the law firm that you choose and be satisfied with their answers to your questions before you hire a Mesothelioma lawyer. With all these options, it can be very difficult to narrow your search for a Mesothelioma lawyer. Here are some tips for best choosing a Mesothelioma lawyer that will fit the needs for you and your family during this difficult time.

We have been working with Mesothelioma lawyers for more than 10 years and here are 10 things you should know before choosing a Mesothelioma lawyer in Illinois to represent you and your family.. Choosing the right Mesothelioma lawyer will mean the difference between being awarded fair compensation, partial compensation, or no compensation at all. What starts the process going in an asbestos related claim is having some form of asbestos related diagnosis from your doctor.

Important: 10 Things You Need to Know About Choosing a Mesothelioma Lawyer

1 - Statutes of Limitations - There is a statute of limitations in Illinois which means you have only a limited amount of time to file your Mesothelioma claim after diagnosis. The statute of limitations time period is set by the state of Illinois. The clock starts for your Statute of Limitations filing usually begins on the day of diagnosis. There are some asbestos law firms that can get you asbestos bankruptcy funds back to the year 2000. Remember, time is of the essence when filing an asbestos claim in Illinois.

2 - Experience - The most important factor to consider when selecting a Mesothelioma lawyer is their level of experience. You should be asking how many cases they have won, how much money they have won for previous clients and what is their success rate with Mesothelioma cases. Keep in mind that an experienced Mesothelioma lawyer that has won many cases against asbestos manufacturers can get you a lot more settlement money from multiple asbestos companies. A small town lawyer may only bring a lawsuit against a handful of asbestos companies when there may be 50 asbestos companies that you can file claims against all over the united states. Our Mesothelioma lawyers have more than 25 years experience and have recovered more than 1 billion dollars in settlements for their clients.

3 - Don’t Get Impressed by Big Names - In more than 10 years working with Mesothelioma victims we have learned that many of the big name law firms cherry pick their cases from the Internet. They are looking for that golden multi-million dollar case while sometimes ignoring people who have legitimate asbestos claims that may have a more complicated case in proving their asbestos exposure. It is always sad for us to get a call from someone who is obviously sick, we can hear their difficulty breathing on the call, and find out they have been turned down from a big name firm because they have not yet been diagnosed. If you do choose a big name firm, make sure that your case will not be assigned to a junior lawyer from the big firm to handle your case. Insist on getting their most experienced lawyers to represent you.

4 - Asbestos Product Identification Numbers (Product I. D’s) - In each Mesothelioma case research is conducted by your law firm to determine which asbestos-containing products you may have been exposed to during your lifetime. Thousands of asbestos-containing products were used through out Illinois during 1940-1980. It is not uncommon for there to be 10-50 asbestos-containing products I D’s listed in a Mesothelioma case. This means that there will be multiple settlements against multiple asbestos companies. We have seen many cases where more than 100+ asbestos manufacturers have been named in Mesothelioma lawsuits. In today’s world, asbestos shipments have been documented throughout the United States for the past 40 years. Be sure that the Mesothelioma Lawyer that you choose is able to identify ALL the potential asbestos claims that may be available to you in each state.

5 - Mesothelioma Lawyer vs. Mesothelioma “Trial” Lawyer - It is important that you understand the difference between a Mesothelioma lawyer and a Mesothelioma “trial” lawyer. Many Mesothelioma lawyers have significant experience in settling Mesothelioma cases, but few have real experience in preparing and successfully trying a Mesothelioma case. Because there is so much evidence gathered against multiple asbestos manufacturers and employers during the discovery phase of your case having an experienced Mesothelioma trial lawyer gather your case evidence will be a big factor in determining the amount asbestos companies will settle with you for your asbestos case. If you want your day in court to be a successful one, we highly recommend that you choose a Mesothelioma lawyer with trial experience to represent you.

6 - Free Consultation - Mesothelioma Law firms will usually offer you a free no-obligation consultation to determine the merits of your case. During this time, the attorney will be able to access your case and determine your chances for filing a successful Mesothelioma lawsuit. It’s important that you are honest with your Mesothelioma attorney and that you provide as much information as possible regarding your work history, asbestos exposure and current medical condition. During this time your lawyer will explain the legal process to you as it applies to Mesothelioma claims and inform you as to what your expectations should be for a successful outcome.

7 - Representation Fees - Mesothelioma cases are very expensive to bring to trial. If a Mesothelioma lawyer asks you for money to help with expenses for your case you should run the other way. All Mesothelioma and asbestos-related cases are “contingency-based cases”. This means no out of pocket expenses to you or your family. Mesothelioma lawyers earn their money by winning your case against asbestos companies. They do not get paid unless you get paid. When a settlement is reached, your lawyer is paid a contingency fee or percentage of the settlement, which is compensation for their time, travel, and other expenses incurred during your Mesothelioma case. Usually it ranges from 33-40% of the total compensation amount after deducting the expenses. Be sure to discuss the matter of fees and payments that the contingency fees covered with your lawyer. This will save you any problems or questions that might occur later.

8 - Bankruptcy Claims - In past 40 years more than 6,000 asbestos companies and manufacturers have been named in asbestos related claims by more than 800,000 asbestos exposure victims. Mesothelioma and other asbestos related cancers can have a latency period of 10 to 50 years. During this time many asbestos companies have filed for bankruptcy protection. As part of their bankruptcy reorganization these asbestos companies have set aside funds for future asbestos victims in trust funds. Today it is estimated that about 20 billion dollars are in Asbestos Trust Funds. Typically, settlements from Asbestos Bankruptcy Funds are smaller than cases that are brought to trial.

9 - Wrongful Death Asbestos Claims - Mesothelioma Wrongful Death claims can be filed on behalf of surviving family members as a result of hazardous exposure to asbestos. Family members can be compensated for end-of-life-expenses, loss of consortium, loss of parental care, medical expenses, lost wages, loss of spousal support & companionship and pain and suffering. If you have recently lost your spouse, parent or other loved one as a result of Mesothelioma cancer we are here to help you file claims against responsible asbestos companies.
Millions of American workers and veterans were exposed to asbestos on construction sites, auto plants, power plants, shipyards, oil refineries, chemical plants, aluminum plants, steel mills, paper plants and asbestos manufacturing plants. For many American workers, the exposure went on for many decades. Millions of unsuspecting American workers went to work every day for years not knowing that they were being exposed to deadly asbestos fibers that would kill them decades later. In Mesothelioma wrongful death cases it is important that you file within the Statute of Limitations in Illinois. We hear from many people each year who missed their statute for filing and because they were grieving or through no fault of their own, they missed the statute of limitation for filing their Mesothelioma case and also missed out on many settlements that were available to them.
10 - Second Hand Exposure - Second hand asbestos exposure claims or “take home” asbestos claims are growing as the number of spouses and children of worker’s exposed to asbestos file new claims each year. Asbestos dust or fibers was sometimes transferred to family members that lived in the same house when the dust was brought home on the worker’s skin or clothing. One second hand asbestos exposure study reports that 1,664 asbestos factory workers had 5 members of their family die from an asbestos-related disease. Another study showed that more than 50% of the cases of Mesothelioma in women were as a result of household exposure from someone who worked directly with asbestos. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or an Asbestos-related disease from second hand asbestos exposure, we are here to help you file a claim.

One Final Thought - If you would like to save time and have us recommend an experienced Malignant Mesothelioma lawyer that will fight for you call us Toll Free at 800.291.0963 and talk with an experienced Mesothelioma case counselor that will walk you the process of connecting you with a Mesothelioma lawyer and answer any questions you may have about your situation.

How we help can you today:

• We will answer your questions about asbestos-related cases.
• We connect you with experienced Mesothelioma claims lawyers.
• We connect you with experienced Mesothelioma doctors in your area.
• Our Mesothelioma lawyers have more than 25 years of years of experience.
• The average cost of Mesothelioma treatment is estimated to be between $400,000 and $800,000.
• Our experienced Mesothelioma lawyers have settled more than 1 billion in asbestos claims.
• We help victims diagnosed with Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases file their claim.
• Navigating through the legal process can be complicated and we will prepare you for this process.
• We will send a Mesothelioma lawyer to your location to explain your legal rights and asbestos exposure.
• Call or chat with us today and get real answers to your questions by a live Mesothelioma lawyer.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Malignant Mesothelioma, getting help from a Mesothelioma attorney is the quickest and easiest way to pursue a monetary settlement against an asbestos company or product that led to your asbestos cancer. A Mesothelioma lawyer can properly document your work and medical history, help you sign all of the necessary paperwork, and file a Mesothelioma lawsuit with the proper authorities. A Mesothelioma lawyer can make sure that all information is gathered and filed appropriately so you can receive the compensation you may deserve.
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