* FACT: It is estimated that more than a million schools in the US contain some form of asbestos even today.Asbestos comes from Greek and means ‘inextinguishable’. This ‘miracle mineral’ is naturally tough and 100% fire resistant, which accounts for its overwhelming popularity in the period between the late 1800s and late 1900s. During this time, asbestos found its way into most of the materials lying around us from pipes to buildings, kitchens, fire-proof curtains, coffee pots, burner pads and ovens. However, by the late 1900’s, enthusiasm for asbestos was on the verge of a huge decline.

In the 1970’s, surveys began to show that asbestos could kill. When asbestos is exposed to heat, friction or damage, it does not break but simply releases microscopic fibers that are about one-tenth the thickness of a strand of hair. Human beings exposed to asbestos breathe the fibers which are floating freely in the air. Once the fibers get inside the body, they cling to the lining of the lungs and cause a number of deadly diseases like mesothelioma, which is one of the leading causes of painful death in people who have been exposed to asbestos dust.

* FACT: In the last 100 years, more than 35 million tons of asbestos went into building homes, commercial buildings, shipyards, fireproof materials and industrial sites. Quite a good percentage of this is still in use.

What makes asbestos exposure difficult to detect is the simple fact that exposure does not lead to disease directly. Diseases related to asbestos exposure remain dormant for about 15-20 years. In case of mesothelioma, the lag period may even go up to 30-45 years. This means that a person exposed to the deadly fiber may start developing symptoms well after retirement or after they are past the age of gainful employment.

Another alarming feature of asbestos fiber is its portability. Microscopic fibers attach themselves tenuously to hair, skin, clothing and shoes. Thus, people who work around asbestos often act as free agents, carrying the deadly dust with them and subjecting others in the family to lethal diseases through secondary exposure.

Most people who die of exposure leave huge debts due to the expensive treatment they have undergone. This is where asbestos cancer lawyers can help. While nothing can bring back a dead person, asbestos cancer lawyers can assure that the person undergoing the disease gets proper treatment and that his near and dear ones are looked after, in case of death.

* FACT: Every year, approximately 2000-3000 new cases of mesothelioma are reported in the US alone

Asbestos related diseases can bring your life to a sudden full stop, and nothing can ward off the pain that lies ahead. However, an experienced asbestos cancer lawyer can help you meet the financial burden this dreaded condition brings. If you suspect that you or anyone in your family may have been exposed to the deadly dust, you need to contact an asbestos cancer lawyer immediately.

Mesothelioma is a curious ailment where the cells of mesothelium, a membrane that swathe and safeguard internal organs, become cancerous and start splitting up without control. These cancerous cells gradually affect other organs of the body too. The membrane usually gets affected by cancer due to exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring group of minerals, mined from underground and used for insulation. These minerals are fibrous in nature and these fibers have the tendency to spread in the air when disturbed. They enter the body through the respiratory system or mouth and slowly start chipping away at the mesothelium around our internal organs.The risk of developing mesothelioma differs from person to person. Some have lived long lives in asbestos quarries and factories where they are used, but never developed the illness, whereas some contracted the cancer in a short time span. This proves that there is no hard and fast rule about the duration of exposure required for getting affected.

Mesothelioma is basically of two types, the pleural and the peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs, is again subdivided into two, the malignant one or lung cancer and the non cancerous. While non-cancerous ones affect local parts and are easily curable, the cancerous ones can be life threatening. The symptoms of being affected, which may come about in combination or singular, are breath shortness, loss of taste and weight, pain in chest and back, cough, problems in swallowing and weakness.

No full remedies have been invented so far to treat mesothelioma lung cancer. However, early detection has saved many people from the clutches of death. It all depends on how far the tumor has spread and the readiness of the body to respond to medication. Some victims succumb in months while others live longer to tell the tale.

However, research and development activities in the field of mesothelioma treatment have brought about hope for people who were fortunate enough to detect the ailment at the early stages itself. Different types of therapies and treatment are applied. Drug based treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are resorted to. Some new measures like gene therapy, immunotherapy and angiogenesis inhibitors have been brought out on an experiment basis, but for the time being, their trustworthiness is debatable.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is another type of cancer, affecting the peritoneum, which is a thin membrane surrounding the organs of the stomach. The only known cause for its occurrence is exposure to asbestos. Like the pleural mesothelioma, this is also classified as the benign or malignant. The symptoms shown by the victims are the same, with equal chances of survival.

Most instances of mesothelioma are seen in the lungs or stomach, but other body parts are also not immune to the attack of asbestos. Malignant mesothelioma occurs occasionally in the heart and testicles too. It has also been found that two out of every three victims are women.

Asbestosis is a detrimentally complicated disease that often results in death. Asbestosis is very similar to having the inside of the lungs burned over a long period of time. Asbestos fibers, used for decades as fire-retardant and heat-resistant insulation materials, cause a rare form of cancer. Miniscule pieces of these fibers break off and float through the air. Asbestosis is a progressive disease which may develop fully in 7 to 9 years and may cause death as early as 13 years after the first exposure. In many cases, though, the latency period is 20 years or more.Asbestos Law and claim responsibility do vary from state to state. Most states are, however, very similar to one another with the basic procedures. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which has been used for a very long time to make various products. The substance is fire resistant and this is an essential property because it acts as an insulator. Asbestos is known as the miracle mineral for this reason. They are used in the manufacturing of numerous products such automobiles, building, construction, railroad, shipyard, factory and the like.

Mesothelioma lawyers are experienced professionals who have dealt with several successful mesothelioma lawsuits. Mesothelioma lawyers are in demand and graduating from a top law school will help you help others that are suffering. Mesothelioma lawyers are specialists who have been trained specifically in the field of mesothelioma lawsuits and mesothelioma settlements. They are therefore well equipped to deal with victims of this cancer, and can offer expert legal advice with regards to compensation and a settlement.

Mesothelioma lawyers are now part of many major legal firms and most will offer you a free case review. During this consultation, the lawyer can assess your case and provide a recommendation about how you should pursue your case. Mesothelioma lawyers are specialized asbestos attorneys who only provide legal assistance to those who suffer from malignant mesothelioma . Asbestos litigation revolves around all injuries incurred as a result of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma lawyers are the best source of mesothelioma information to help take a stance and make a difference.

Pleural mesotheliomas are more common than peritoneal ones. Mesotheliomas are usually diffuse and malignant while a few cases are localized and are benign. Pleural mesothelomia has around four stages while peritoneal mesothelomia is not staged.

To find out more about mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers, do visit our resource link.

When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, they may find that they need an attorney to help them with their case. This is a disease that is rare, and there is little to be said about the condition. The rate of this disease is on the increase and there are new mesothelioma attorneys that are trying to settle many cases for different people. They have stepped in for the rights of the people to help them with their case.These lung cancer patients deserve to have the respect and the care that they deserve for all their duties while in the work force. It is important that these patients and their families have the necessary information that they deserve to be well informed about the entire process. Malignant mesothelima is a rare form of lung cancer that is brought on by asbestos.

Handling asbestos causes mesothelioma. This comes from working in an environment that is affected by this deadly material or by someone that is contracted to remove it. Most of the time, the workers are made clear of the dangers that can be caused by working with this type of material. However, some employers will allow little or no protection from the material when the employees are handling it. These workers are entitled to compensation for their work.

For most people, they will not get any better and will have to live with this type of problem for the rest of their life. When someone has to go through that much pain and suffering in their life because their company did not tell them that they were in danger, they will deserve a settlement for their time and their pain. Mesothelioma attorneys will fight for their patients to have all of their medical bills paid and to have a little extra money to help them with the rest of their life. This is an important procedure that will determine how well you settle out.

You need to be confident in your attorney so that the facts can be presented and the client will have a fair and good case. In some cases the patients will die before the case is settled. In these cases, the families of them will be entitled to the remaining settlement. They will have to live without their family member for the rest of their life due to this terrible form of cancer and they will deserve to be compensated well for that reason. Mesothelioma attorneys will help them fight for what their loved one wanted so much. In the end, the money and the settlement cannot make what is wrong turn right. It is not going to bring back the loved one. However, it will be telling these companies that they did something wrong and that they did not get away with it. You will be fighting for rights of the workers and the responsibilities of the employers.

A campaigning lawyer has stated that a new High Court ruling is a landmark victory for dozens of asbestos victims in the Stroud Valleys.Lawyer, Peter Hankins has looked at industrial injuries compensation for more than 30 years for ex-employees of former Chalford-bases asbestos firm Fibrecrete and their families, who were commonly made terminally ill having worked for the company.

Hankins said that the court ruling for insurance companies to pay out compensation for when a worker was exposed to asbestos and not when the symptoms appeared was a great improvement.

Hankins stated: “It is a milestone. I feel enormous relief for the families involved. This is probably one of the most aggressively fought areas of injury and disease in my professional life.”

Fibrecrete closed in 1971 but asbestos and similar illnesses have an incredibly long tail, or lead in time.

Mr Hankins commented: “If they’d won there would have been nothing more disappointing than finding that, after working through a case with either a very ill person or a widow, that there was no insurance policy to pay out their compensation.”

He furthered: “These men are totally innocent but die dreadful deaths with these illnesses. There are also the wives and daughters who washed their clothes for them and inhaled the asbestos particles. These women had not done anything wrong and yet they too are deprived of their health.”

Currently, it is thought that there are around 1,500 mesothelioma deaths a year in the UK, four or five of which are in Stroud.

Hankins said that he came into the lawyer profession on an ideal to “right all the wrongs” and he expects asbestos claims to increase in 1015.

Due to the BAI rejecting compensation claims many workers have suffered this work disease without court sympathy but BAI admitted that the rejection of hundreds of cases will lead to huge settlements.

Mr Hankins stated: “During the test case litigation BAI admitted that over the last two years they had rejected 284 fatal mesothelioma claims, whose families are consequently still awaiting compensation averaging £125,000 each, which is a total of a staggering £35.5 million.”

Asbestos cases can be difficult Many injury lawyers have found asbestos cases difficult, and until now, these cases were difficult to prove. Adrian Budgen, head of industrial disease litigation commented on his findings and on the new court ruling.

Budgen said that the number of work disease victims were huge: “It was hugely challenging because of the sheer scale of the litigation and the number of parties involved.”

Adrian then commented on the new ruling: “Mr Justice Burton found that the four insurers (BAI, Excess, Independent and MMI) were liable to provide an indemnity in respect of negligent exposure to asbestos during their policy periods.”

The new court ruling will hopefully give a new lease of life to the families who have lost loved ones to the disease.

Maureen Edwards who lost her father was happy with the decision: “My dad would have been proud that we have finally achieved justice for him, but he would have been disgusted by the lengths the insurers went to get out of paying.”

General-secretary of Unite, Derek Simpson stated it was a “hugely important victory for the victims of the deadly dust and for their families”.

Paul Mancuso, 45, his father Lester, 70, and his brother Steven, 37, all of Utica, New York, were indicted Oct. 16 on several federal charges after illegal dumping asbestos. The charges include:

• Violating the Clean Air Act
• Violating the Superfund Act
• Conspiracy to defraud the U.S.
• Conspiracy to commit mail fraud

Illegal Asbestos Removal and DumpingThe Mancusos are alleged to have performed illegal asbestos removal operations and to have dumped asbestos-containing materials on the sides of roads and other non-permissable locations in upstate New York. Another member of the family, Paul’s brother Ronald Mancuso, pleaded guilty to illegally dumping asbestos and to conspiracy to violate the Superfund Act.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found floating in the natural environment. It is composed of multiple durable fibers that are resistant to heat and friction. When the mineral is broken, the strands of fibers separate, creating a thin, microscopic dust. Once in its broken state, asbestos becomes extremely toxic as it can be swallowed easily. Because of its durability and strength, it does not break down once ingested, but instead accumulates in the lining of the lungs, the stomach or the heart and after time can lead to development of fatal diseases.

Second Set of Criminal Charges for Paul MancusoThis is not the first involvement with illegal asbestos handling for Paul Mancuso; he was convicted of asbestos removal and disposal crimes in 2003, and of insurance fraud concerning his asbestos business in 2004. As part of his sentence for those crimes, Paul was prohibited from engaging in any asbestos abatement work, according to U.S. Attorney Andrew Baxter.

Fraudulent Companies, DocumentationThe recent indictment alleges that Paul later set up illegal companies in the names of his relatives and associates to engage in asbestos projects that contaminated private residences and businesses and dumped the removed asbestos at non-permitted sites such as roadsides.

Brother, Steven Mancuso, an attorney, is charged with preparing fraudulent documentation to give the appearance of legally conducted asbestos abatement by the companies. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Years in Prison, Millions in Fines

Paul Mancuso, if convicted, could be sentenced to 55 years in prison and a fine up to $2.75 million. Lester Mancuso’s maximum possible sentence is 23 years in jail and a fine up to $1.25 million.

(Source: www.mesotheliomatreatmentcenters.org)

Getting Legal HelpIf you’re concerned about asbestos removal or dumping, contact mesothelioma centers to schedule a private, no-cost consultation with an experienced asbestos attorney today. Our attorneys understand the laws governing wrongful asbestos exposure and will fight to ensure your legal rights are protected.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium or the sac like protective covering of internal organs. The main cause is exposure to asbestos. Therefore the best possible prevention is to avoid exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma takes about thirty to fifty years for making itself prominent. People above the age of sixty five have shown an increased tendency to develop asbestos cancer. The mesothelioma is more common in men than women.Asbestos is a mineral that is very commonly used. Due to increased health risks the use of asbestos has been reduced according to government regulations. In spite of all the regulations asbestos is being used in many manufacturing industries where it is mandatory for production. The most effective prevention method is to limit the exposure.

Working in a company which uses asbestos is not safe. Looking for alternate employment would be the safest option. The companies have asbestos related safety precautions and one can ensure they are being followed. The commonly seen jobs that pose the highest risk of mesothelioma are:

1-Insulation manufacturing and installations.

2-Mining

3-Railroad workers

4-Workers in the factories

5-Asbestos manufacturing companies

6-Ship yard workers

7-Automotive repairs

8-Manufacturers of gas masks

Many old homes contain traces of asbestos. If you suspect your home to contain materials made of asbestos they can be tested in the laboratory. There are agencies dealing with asbestos removal and they can be contacted for removing asbestos from your home. Though it can be done by yourself it is safer to let an asbestos abatement or removal contractor perform the procedure.

Asbestos that is not disturbed is not considered a health hazard. But if there is flaking, friable ceilings and plumbing and if the building is built before the 1980s then there are chances that they contain asbestos and have to be removed safely. Public buildings like schools, office buildings, libraries, theatres etc are all prone to this hazard. The problem should be brought to the city authorities’ notice. Living near someone who works near asbestos also exposes you to the mineral.

Asbestos can be transported through clothing, skin and hair. Even a few strands of asbestos can sometimes lead to mesothelioma.

Once you have been exposed to asbestos and have not yet been diagnosed with the fatal condition, there is still hope for you. If care is taken you might not even develop it. Blood tests can be done annually to confirm that you are well. There are other diagnostic tools that can be performed annually on asbestos exposed individuals to reconfirm their health status. These tests also aid in early detection when the condition is curable and can be controlled.

Smoking should be stopped since smokers are more susceptible to the onset of the condition if they have asbestos exposure history. Prevention is the best way out in mesothelioma since it is fatal if not diagnosed early.

To Your Health!

If you work with or around asbestos and aren’t properly protected, there is a chance that prolonged exposure will leave you vulnerable to developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. With mesothelioma, malignant cells grow in the mesothelium, which is the protective lining that covers many of the body’s most important internal organs. The most common place for this cancer to develop in on the lining of the lungs or on the chest wall, although it can develop elsewhere within the body. Because mesothelioma can be prevented by safety equipment and because it is a work-related illness, compensation claims are a big issue.The first claim against an asbestos manufacturer was in 1929, although as part of the lawsuit it was agreed to not pursue any further cases. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that asbestos was officially recognised as the cause of mesothelioma. An article was written in which more than 30 cases of people working with asbestos and suffering from the disease were recorded. Today, many claims are made by employees against employers who have failed to implement strict safety measures, rendering the employer negligent. In the US claims resulting from asbestos lawsuits have now reached into billions of dollars. In the UK claims are less common but the number of lawsuits citing asbestos as the primary cause of mesothelioma is growing steadily.

On the 20 August 2008 Thomas Renfrew of Ardrossan, Ayrshire, was awarded £130,000 in damages for ill health due to exposure to asbestos. He worked as a shipbuilder for 14 years, often coming into contact with asbestos. It was argued in court that Mr Renfrew could live for another 10 years with the disease and that the amount of money rewarded was to make the rest of his life a more pleasant one. The companies that he worked for wanted to pay significantly less because they estimated that he would only live for another 3 years, effectively admitting that his exposure to asbestos had affected his health and predicted life span.

Today, an increasing number of claims are being made due to mesothelioma. One of the reasons for this may be that the symptoms often don’t appear until 20 to 50 years after the asbestos exposure. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent coughing, chest pains, weight loss, abdominal swelling and a wide range of other problems. In the later stages of the disease tumours develop throughout the body, although usually these tumours are located primarily in the lungs. As the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses, they can often be misdiagnosed. Obviously, as you can see in the case of Mr Renfrew, life expectancy is reduced dramatically.

If you have worked with asbestos in the past and you experience any of these symptoms then you should consult a doctor immediately. You may also wish to contact specialist claims lawyer who has experience with asbestos cases. As you can see from the Renfrew case, claims of asbestos poisoning and the contraction of mesothelioma are taken very seriously indeed. It is important to have a specialist lawyer working for you, as they will understand the legal proceedings that will directly apply to a claim of this nature. They will also be aware of past cases that can have a bearing on your own case.

Court Decisions that Protect and Compensate Asbestos WorkersAsbestos is a dangerous substance that causes the debilitating disease of asbestosis, and the fatal cancer, mesothelioma. Asbestos workers are exposed to scarring asbestos fibers in excessive amounts on a daily basis. Employers who ignore the dangers won’t be ignored by the courts.

Asbestosis and mesothelioma affects asbestos workers around the world. National and international lawyers and judges are making room on their desks for voluminous stacks of medical records that are entered as evidence in mass litigation proceedings for asbestos workers who were unaware, and unprotected, from the dangers of inconspicuous deadly asbestos fibers. Employers have the responsibility to protect the safety and health of the employees, and in today’s modern societies, it is legally mandatory for employers to protect their employees from danger. Company fines and business closures can result for those companies that put profit over people, and so can litigation resulting in millions of dollars of compensation paid to injured workers.

Asbestos workers have joined together to set precedent court decisions in asbestos cases that will facilitate faster trial decisions and undermine confusion in the interpretations of the occupational laws. Many workers, however, do not receive just compensation. Lack of medical records, multiple possible causes of lung disease, unawareness of the right to legal compensation, or the lack of legal representation, prevents many asbestos workers from receiving their just compensation for asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Although workers compensation cases have been recognized in the courts since the 1920s, the first US trial against an asbestos product wasn’t held until 1966 by plaintiff Claude Tomplait. The case lasted three years, and the decision was made on behalf of the defendant. In 1969, Claude’s lawyer then represented Clarence Borel, a co-worker of Claude’s, against the same defendant. This case lasted four years, and in 1973, a historical landmark decision was made on behalf of the plaintiff, Clarence Borel (Borel v. Fibreboard Paper Prods. Corp., 493 F.2d 1076 (5th Cir. 1973). It was officially deemed that not only must manufacturers must warn consumers of danger, but they are responsible for staying informed with regard to scientific discoveries that have an impact on their products. If a manufacturer fails to do so, they will be liable for physical harm. Since 1973, there have been well over 100,000 asbestos cases filed in US courts. Asbestos cases are currently the longest mass tort in US Court history. In 1982, court opinion in Beshada (Beshada v. Johns-Manville Products Corp., 442 A.2d 539 (N.J. 1982)), humanely stated, “the burden of illness…should fall on those who profit from its production…”, throwing out a “state of business practices at the time” defense that defendant asbestos companies were praying upon for relief.

Around the world, the deadly consequences of working with asbestos is gaining increased recognition, and asbestos workers are gaining increased support in their court bids for compensation of asbestosis and mesothelioma. In 1989, Australia established the Dust Diseases Tribunal for asbestos cases, and in 1991, Australia banned asbestos. In 2005, the European Union followed with their own ban on asbestos. In the UK, a compensation fund for asbestos workers diagnosed with mesothelioma has been established within the Department of Societal Development. This fund disperses payment to mesothelioma patients within a week of the diagnosis of mesothelioma and reduces the risk of a mesothelioma patient dying before receiving a settlement (which frequently happens with lengthy civil trials).

Asbestosis and mesothelioma patients suffering from incurable and fatally progressive diseases due to employer negligence and manufacturer’s disregard for danger are due compensation for their pain, and employers are beginning to pay. Sadly, employers have to pay with their bank accounts, but asbestos workers have to pay with their life.