What You Need to Know After Being Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
I’m Ed Smith, an El Dorado Hills asbestosis and mesothelioma lawyer. Once you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it takes some time to get over the initial shock. For most people, worry over what comes next and then how your family will afford the treatment is overwhelming. Depending on your situation, there are multiple ways of recovering the funds that are needed. This includes a personal injury lawsuit. Let’s take a look at what mesothelioma is, where it originates and how individuals are compensated.
Incidence of Mesothelioma
Approximately 3,000 people are newly diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. However, this reflects a stable number since the incidence is no longer increasing. The disease is linked to asbestos exposure. The age at which diagnosis is most likely to occur is in the late 60s. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. Many women in the past have developed the disease when they washed clothes contaminated with asbestos.
Survival Rate After Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
The survival rate is dependent on when the disease is discovered. For instance, if the disease is found in the early stages and is still localized, the two-year survival rate is about 43 percent. However, if it is discovered late and has spread, the chance of survival is lessened. This depends on the extent of spread. If the disease has spread locally, including to adjacent lymph nodes, the chance the person will survive for five years is between 26 and 38 percent. Alternately, if it has already spread to distant areas, the survival rate is estimated at 17 percent.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that grows in the tissues that line the organs in the chest and abdomen. This tissue is called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is categorized by the area in which it grows. There are three main areas:
- Pleural mesothelioma: This involves the lining of the lungs and pleural cavity. It is the most common form of mesothelioma. It is caused by inhalation of asbestos. Patients develop breathing difficulty and chest pain. It is treated by surgery to remove the affected parts of the lung and the pleura or lining of the chest cavity. This is combined with the administration of chemotherapy and radiation. Survival time is generally 12 months. Some have survived longer, up to 20 years in rare cases.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma involves the lining of the abdominal cavity. In this case, asbestos is either inhaled or swallowed and becomes trapped in the peritoneal lining of the abdomen. It affects about 500 people a year, and survival rates are poor. It is treated with surgical intervention, radiation and chemotherapy.
- Pericardial mesothelioma: This occurs when asbestos is entrapped in the lining of the heart cavity. It is the rarest type of mesothelioma and involves under 2 percent of patients. The outcome is poor with a low survival rate. Many cases are not discovered until the person has died. Treatment is aimed at removing the pericardial lining. Other treatment is aimed at relieving pressure on the heart by extracting fluid buildup.
Compensation for Mesothelioma
There are several ways to be compensated for the financial cost associated with mesothelioma, including treatment. Some individuals who were injured on the job by working with asbestos are able to apply for workers’ comp benefits, although exposure probably happened years ago. This may be a complicated situation. Some businesses might have closed years before or gone bankrupt. Only an experienced mesothelioma lawyer, who is adept at dealing with this issue, can provide the necessary insight.
Product Liability
Businesses that employed workers to build ships, manufacture brake linings and other asbestos-heavy industries are not the only ones who may be responsible. This category of legal challenge involves retailers and manufacturers who sold and made products with asbestos. Product liability in California includes everyone in the chain of production and sales.
Premises Liability
Owners of both commercial and residential buildings may be responsible for exposing people to asbestos materials. If an occupant developed mesothelioma due to living or working in the building, a case against the owner may be possible through a premises liability lawsuit.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Filing a personal injury lawsuit demands that the plaintiff be able to prove negligence. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer is able to show that asbestos was the cause of the injury as well as identifying the source of exposure. This involves extensive investigatory skills and the use of medical experts.
El Dorado Hills Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an El Dorado Hills asbestosis and mesothelioma lawyer. If you were injured by asbestos and developed mesothelioma or a family member died because of it, you have the right to receive compensation. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice.
I’ve helped numerous El Dorado Hills residents with all types of accidents, including wrongful death.
I belong to the Million Dollar Advocates. Our forum is comprised of trial lawyers who have won in excess of $1 million for a client.
If you would like to know more about my practice, look at the following pages for information:
Check out my settlements and verdicts page to see how I resolved previous cases.
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