Mesothelioma Lawyer

Our Mesothelioma Lawyers Represent Clients Nationwide

A mesothelioma diagnosis is an overwhelming and devastating experience. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and incurable type of cancer caused only by exposure to asbestos. Approximately 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry have faced significant asbestos exposure at some point on the job. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, consult a mesothelioma attorney right away. Our team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has decades of experience in fighting asbestos companies and will help you and your family every step of the way.

The knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyers from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm have five decades of collective experience. We are dedicated to helping mesothelioma patients throughout the country. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars in 10,000+ cases for injury victims and travel to represent clients in all 50 states.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that typically develops as a result of exposure and inhalation of asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a known carcinogen – meaning it is proven to cause cancer – and is heavily regulated by the United States government. The time between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma can be decades. However, once mesothelioma cancer begins to form, it spreads and metastasizes rapidly. A patient can develop different symptoms of Mesothelioma based on where the mesothelioma is located in their body.

Learn more about mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses:

• Asbestosis
• Products containing asbestos
• Map of naturally-occurring asbestos deposits

Mesothelioma Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444

What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is often misdiagnosed as whooping cough, pneumonia, abdominal discomfort, hernias, and other ailments. Each type of mesothelioma incurs a range of symptoms, varying in severity from difficulty breathing to cancerous lumps.

Any of the following symptoms may indicate mesothelioma:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Lower back pain
• Persistent, dry cough
• Fatigue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing
• Fluid in lungs
• Blood clotting abnormalities
• Fluid effusion
• Anemia
• Bowel obstruction
• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Night sweats
• Lumps on testicles
• Accumulation of fluid in the pleura
• No symptoms at all

These symptoms begin to show long after the disease has taken hold. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should inform his or her doctors of the possibility of an asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure.

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Tell Your Doctor if You Have Been Exposed to Asbestos.

If you were diagnosed with a pulmonary condition, had exposure to asbestos, or worked in a high-risk industry, it is wise to request that your doctor run tests for asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. Family members of those who worked in high-risk occupations should also inform their doctors of the potential for an asbestos-related disease, because mesothelioma can be contracted through secondary exposure, from contact with a contaminated worker’s clothing or skin.

Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

A proper mesothelioma diagnosis is obtained through several tests:

• Medical history evaluation: Determines any asbestos or toxic substance exposure
• Chest X-ray: Can show abnormal tissue growths
• CT scans: Can show fluid build-up in the lungs
• MRI: Shows internal tissue with more detail and accuracy
• Biopsy: Questionable tissue is sampled with a fine needle and tested for traces of cancerous cells

These tests allow for a greater chance of early detection.

Once diagnosed, you may want to consider genetic testing. In the past, doctors chose not to conduct genetic sequencing on mesothelioma patients because no targeted therapies existed. Recent genetic analysis of mesothelioma tumors have established specific genetic mutations that can be targeted with existing drugs. For the first time, mesothelioma patients, like patients of other types of cancer, can be tested for genetic mutations that could lead to better, more effective treatments.

With the establishment of a complete genomic profile of mesothelioma comes the hope of long-term survival.

If you receive a mesothelioma or asbestosis diagnosis, contact Pintas & Mullins today to schedule a -free consultation. We fight for your right to compensation for the medical expenses and loss of quality of life that result from your illness. We have a proven track record of success securing maximum awards and settlements for mesothelioma victims and their families. Companies that profited from manufacturing or using asbestos while knowing that the toxic mineral is harming the workers must be held accountable.

What’s the Difference Between Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer?

There are many differences between mesothelioma and lung cancer. While both are serious cancers, some very important differences exist between these two types of cancer.

• Facts About Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is almost always related to the exposure of asbestos and found in the lining of the lungs, lining of the abdomen, lining around the heart, or around the testicles.
• Facts About Lung Cancer – The use of tobacco-related products or exposure to certain chemicals like radon typically causes lung cancer. It is typically not caused by asbestos exposure. However, asbestos lung cancer is possible.

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Differences Between Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

There are many differences between mesothelioma and lung cancer. Some of the most important differences are listed below.

Growth

Both cancers grow differently in the body. Mesothelioma typically starts as tiny tumor nodules that scatter throughout the mesothelial lining and grow together to form a sheath-like tumor in the lining surrounding the organ. Lung cancer typically starts as an individual mass with a defined boundary. Additionally, pleural mesothelioma shows a pleural thickening (scarring) or pleural effusion (fluid buildup) in the chest cavity. Lung cancer patients may have pleural effusion, but typically they will have no thickening of the chest cavity lining. Mesothelioma can sit dormant for 15-60 years and then grow rapidly, while lung cancer may appear within 10-30 years after the first exposure to either asbestos or cigarette smoke.

Incidence

Lung cancer is the second-most common cancer in the United States, with approximately 220,00 new cases annually. Mesothelioma is rare, and doctors diagnose only 2,800 cases each year, which includes all four kinds of mesothelioma.

Cause

Mesothelioma is nearly exclusively the result of asbestos exposure. Lung cancer is typically due to cigarette and tobacco use, exposure to radon gas, or secondhand smoke. Smoking may increase the risk of asbestos lung cancer, only because the lungs are not healthy and are unable to expel the microscopic asbestos particles. However, smoking does not cause mesothelioma.

Similarities

While there are many differences between mesothelioma and lung cancer, there are many similarities as well. The following are the similarities between these two cancers.

• Both typically take decades to develop.
• Both do not present symptoms until they are in advanced stages.
• Some symptoms of pleural mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer are similar.
• Both types of cancer have similar survival rates, with lung cancer patients having a bit more of an advantage for long-term survival.
• Both pleural mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer have similar diagnostic procedures.
• Both pleural mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer have similar treatments, including a combination of surgery, chemotherapy treatment, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy, gene therapy, and clinical trials.

Only a doctor can make a definitive diagnosis of either mesothelioma or lung cancer. Make sure to always see a specialist if you have any concerns that your symptoms may be related to asbestos, as primary medical care doctors often overlook these rare conditions.

How Do You Get Mesothelioma Cancer?

A strong link exists between mesothelioma cancer and asbestos exposure. Research on asbestos toxicity shows that asbestos exposure causes the type of mesothelioma that affects the respiratory system. Mesothelioma cancer affects your body’s mesothelial cells. Most commonly, these malignancies grow in the lining of your chest cavity and lungs, called the pleura. Doctors refer to this type of mesothelioma as malignant pleural mesothelioma, which makes up most types of mesothelial cancer.

People develop pleural mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. They breathe in asbestos fibers, usually at work, and these fibers accumulate deep inside their lungs, eventually making their way to a person’s pleura. Over time, these fibers damage the lung tissue, and this triggers changes in the cells. While any type of asbestos fiber can cause mesothelioma, the amphibole type increases the risk of this type of cancer with less exposure.

Mesothelioma Affects the Lining of Organs and Body Areas

Almost all malignant mesotheliomas occur in the lining of the lungs or chest cavity. Pleural mesothelioma accounts for eight out of every ten cases diagnosed in the United States. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for an additional one-fifth of all mesothelioma diagnoses. Other areas of the body combined makeup only a small fraction of cases.

Pleural mesothelioma generally begins with one small spot on the chest wall or outside of the lungs. Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma does not grow inside the lung tissue itself. Instead, it spreads on the outside of the organs where the pleura lies.

Is Mesothelioma the Same As Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Mesothelioma is not the same as small cell lung cancer, but they may be confused with each other when they occur because of previous asbestos exposure. While the diseases are different—mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and small cell lung cancer affects the lung tissue itself—they occur in the same way and have the same amount of time to develop.

• Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a cancer of mesothelium tissue. This cancer generally occurs in the thin pleura that lines the lungs and chest cavity. However, mesothelioma can also develop in the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum. This cancer is only caused by asbestos exposure. It very rarely occurs without identifiable exposure to these dangerous fibers. Those with this condition generally either worked with or around asbestos, or had a loved one who did.
• Small Cell Lung Cancer – Small cell lung cancer, meanwhile, affects the lung tissue itself. It can occur because of smoking, pollution, asbestos exposure, or other causes. There are two types of small cell lung cancer: small cell carcinoma, also called oat cell cancer, and combined small cell carcinoma.

Treatment for Mesothelioma and Small Cell Lung Cancer Are Often Similar

While mesothelioma and small cell lung cancer are different conditions that affect different parts of the chest, they have many similarities when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Both are often advanced before diagnosed, and asbestos cancer treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. When possible, surgery to remove the cancer may include:

• Wedge section (for lung cancer) or pleurectomy (for mesothelioma)
• Lobectomy, usually only useful for small cell lung cancer
• Pneumonectomy to remove the entire lung (for lung cancer), and potentially the complete removal of the pleura, and part of the diaphragm (for mesothelioma)

In both small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma, the long-term prognosis is not good. These treatments may extend the time the patient has and their quality of life, but they generally do not cure the cancer for most people. The National Cancer Institute recommends considering clinical trials for patients whose cancer is not discovered early enough for surgery to completely remove the tumors.

Jobs with Highest Risk of Mesothelioma

Sadly, nearly every U.S. industry has exposed workers to asbestos in some way, putting individuals at risk for mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Our nationally trusted mesothelioma attorneys provide representation for individuals injured by asbestos exposure throughout the country. Nearly everyone has been exposed to asbestos at some point. It is our job to determine where, when and how you were exposed.

Below is a partial list of the workers most at risk for asbestos-related illnesses:

• Veterans of the United States Armed Forces
• Shipyard workers
• Firefighters
• Construction workers and contractors
• Asbestos mine/mill workers
• Boilermakers
• Carpenters
• Teachers
• Power plant workers
• Drywall workers/installation experts
• Electricians
• Insulators
• Ironworkers
• Mechanics
• Pipefitters
• Plasterers
• Trippers
• Pelletizers
• Plumbers
• Sheet metal workers
• Steamfitters
• Telephone workers
• Paper mill workers
• Miners
• Welders
• Longshoremen
• Railway and railroad workers
• Engine shop workers
• Aircraft mechanics
• Plant maintenance workers
• Crush workers
• Grinder operators
• Paper machine workers
• Punch pressers
• Warehouse workers

Top Employers Involved in Mesothelioma Cases

At least one company in nearly every American industry is now involved in asbestos litigation. Some companies are more frequently involved in mesothelioma claims than others. This is not a coincidence-companies like Johns Manville suppressed their knowledge of the hazards of asbestos for decades. The mesothelioma attorneys at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm handle mesothelioma and other asbestos-related injury cases throughout the United States.

Our clients trust us because:

• We have a collective 50 years of experience.
• We partner with top litigation firms, developing the best, most effective strategies.
• We have successfully handled more than 10,000 cases.
• We fly out to clients across the country – at no extra cost.
• We do not charge any fees unless we secure a settlement or verdict.
• We have won millions of dollars for our clients and their families.

Employers Commonly Named in Mesothelioma Cases

Repeat offenders include:

AK Steel Holding Corp.
Allegheny Energy Inc.
American Biltrite Inc. (ABI)
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
CenterPoint Energy Inc.
Chase Corp.
Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I)
Circor International Inc.
Columbus McKinnon Corp.
Corning, Inc.
Covidien PLC
CSX Transportation
Cytec Industries, Inc.
Dana Holding Company
Deere & Company
DPL Inc.
DXP Enterprises Inc.
Ensco International PLC
ExxonMobil Corp.
Flowserve Corp.
GenCorp Inc.
General Motors
Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
Goodrich Corp.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Graham Corp.
Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc.
Imperial Industries Inc.
ITT Corp. with subsidiary Goulds Pumps Inc.
Katy Industries Inc.
Ladish Co. Inc.
Leslie Controls Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corp.
Maremont Corp., a subsidiary of ArvinMeritor, Inc.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC)
Mine Safety Appliance Company
Minerals Technologies, Inc.
Olin Corp.
Owens-Illinois Inc.
Quaker Chemical Corp.
Rogers Corp.
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Spectrum Brands, Inc.
Standard Motor Products, Inc.
Transocean Ltd.
Trimas Corp.
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
Tyco International Ltd.
U.S. Steel Corp.
Union Carbide Corp.
WR Grace & Company

What Are Asbestos Trust Funds?

Companies facing significant asbestos lawsuits are often forced into bankruptcy. Under U.S. bankruptcy code, these companies can reorganize and create an asbestos bankruptcy trust system to fund injury claims. The trusts are funded with the company’s assets and victims are paid outside the court system. Asbestos bankruptcy trusts currently hold more than $30 billion.

If you are hesitant to contact an attorney because the company responsible for your injuries is bankrupt, know that financial help may be available to you through an asbestos trust fund.

Thousands of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related injury victims receive compensation through these funds. In 2008, victims of asbestos-related illnesses were provided about $3.3 billion through asbestos trust funds. The median trust payout for a victim of mesothelioma was $180,000. About two-thirds of trust payments go to mesothelioma claims.

You have every right to compensation for your injuries – regardless of the negligent company’s ability to stay financially viable. We’re here to fight for you and to pursue the compensation you deserve We encourage you to speak with our attorneys in a free consultation. Our asbestos trust fund lawyers will explain your legal options and determine whether you are eligible for trust payments

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers

Turn to Our Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyers for Help

Once considered a rare disease, mesothelioma it is becoming more common among those employed or formerly employed in high-risk jobs. Although mesothelioma remains an extremely aggressive and fatal cancer, research continues on how to prevent, diagnose, and treat the cancer.

It is important to know that you are not alone. There are more than 50 mesothelioma-specialized cancer centers in the United States, along with countless support groups, hundreds of clinical trials, and dozens of specialized doctors.

The mesothelioma attorneys at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can put clients in touch with world-class treatment centers in your area, whether you are in Illinois or any other state.

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Illinois Treatment Centers

Please see below for some of the top mesothelioma treatment centers in Illinois. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free case evaluation by one of our nationally respected mesothelioma attorneys – we travel to you.

University of Chicago Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Hedy Lee Kindler, M.D., Gastrointestinal Oncology

Ravi Salgia, M.D., Thoracic Oncology

5841 South Maryland Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60637-1470

(773) 702-6180

Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Malcolm DeCamp, M.D., Thoracic Surgery

Shari Meyerson, M.D., Thoracic Surgery

MaryAnne Marymont, M.D., Radiation Oncology

303 E. Superior Street

Chicago, Illinois 60611

(312) 908-5250

Midwestern Regional Medical Center

Mesothelioma Specialist:

Jonathan Kiev, M.D., Thoracic Surgery

2520 Elisha Avenue

Zion, Illinois 60099

(800) 322-9183

Rush University Medical Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Philip Bonomi, M.D., Oncology/Internal Medicine

Marta Batus, M.D., Oncology/Internal Medicine

Gaurav Marwaha, M.D., Oncology/Radiation

1653 W. Congress Parkway,

Chicago, Illinois 60612

(312) 942-5000

Nationwide Representation

Loyola University Chicago Medical Center, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center,

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Kathy Albain, M.D., Hematology/Oncology

Marcelo DaSilva, M.D., Thoracic Oncology

Wickii Thambiah Vigneswaran, M.D., Cardiothoracic Surgery

2160 S. 1st Avenue

Maywood, Illinois 60153

(708) 216-9000

Leading Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in the Nation

Some of the best traditional hospitals in the United States for mesothelioma treatment include:

University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Anne Tsao, M.D., Thoracic Oncology Mesothelioma Center
David C. Rice, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., Professory of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Mount Sinai Hospital New York City

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Raja M. Flores, M.D., Chairman of Thoracic Surgery
Daniel Labow, M.D., Surgical Oncology
Andrea Wolf, M.D., Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Valerie Rusch, M.D., Department of Surgery
Mary Louise Keohan, M.D., Medical Oncologist

Dana-Farber Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Bruce Johnson, M.D., Medical Oncology
Pasi A. Janne, M.D. Thoracic Oncology

Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Raphael Bueno, M.D., Director International Mesothelioma Program
Scott J. Swanson, M.D., Associate Director of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Program
Abraham Lebenthal, M.D., Thoracic Surgeon

Baylor College of Medicine

Mesothelioma Specialist: David Sugarbaker, M.D., Chief of General Thoracic Surgery

University of Pittsburgh Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

J.F. Pingpank, Jr., M.D., Peritoneal Mesothelioma, Surgeon
David Bartlett, M.D., Surgical Oncology
Neil Christie, M.D., Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Matthew Schuchert, Cardiothoracic Surgery
James Luketich, M.D., Thoracic Surgery
David Koch, M.D. Regional Perfusion Cancer Therapy Center

H Lee Moffit Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Bradford Perez, M.D., Radiation Oncology
Jacques Fontaine, M.D. Thoracic Surgery
Tawee Tanvetyanon, M.D. Medical Oncology
Scott Antonia, Cellular Immunology
Lary Robinson, Thoracic Surgery

Columbia University Mesothelioma Center

Mesothelioma Specialist: Robert N. Taub, M.D. Ph.D., Director Columbia University Medical Center

Leading Mesothelioma Treatment Centers by Region

Leading mesothelioma treatment centers on the East Coast:

NYU Lagone Medical Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Harvey Pass, M.D., Thoracic Surgery
Daniel Sterman, M.D., Pulmonary Medicine, Director of Multidisciplinary Pulmonary Oncology Program

Duke Cancer Institute (NC)

Mesothelioma Specialist: David Harpole, Jr., M.D., Vice Chief of Surgical Services

University of Maryland Medical Center

Mesothelioma Specialist: Joseph Friedberg, M.D. Thoracic Surgery

Fox Chase Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialists:

Walter Scott, M.D. Thoracic Surgery
Stacey Su, M.D., Thoracic Surgery
Prashant C. Shah, M.D. Thoracic Surgery
Hossein Borghaei, M.D. Medical Oncology
Gregory Lubiniecki, M.D. Medical Oncology
Joseph Treat, M.D. Medical Surgery

Leading mesothelioma treatment centers in the Midwest:

Ohio State University

Mesothelioma Specialist: David Carbone, M.D. PhD, Professor of Thoracic Oncology

Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute

Mayo Clinic

Creighton University

Mesothelioma Specialist: Brian W. Loggie, M.D., C.M., Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF)

University of Michigan

Mesothelioma Specialist: Gregory Peter Kalemkerian, M.D., Medical Oncology

(previously mentioned)

Leading mesothelioma treatment centers on the West Coast / South West:

UCLS Medical Center

UCSF Helen Diller Family Comp Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialist: David Jablons, M.D., Ada Distinguished Professorship in Thoracic Oncology

Swedish Medical Center Seattle

Mesothelioma Specialist: Eric Vallieiers, M.D. FRCSC, Thoracic Surgery

Pacific Meso Center

University of Arizona Cancer Center

Mesothelioma Specialist: Linda Garland, M.D., Director Clinical Lung Cancer Program

University of California Los Angeles

Mesothelioma Specialist: Robert Cameron, M.D., Surgical Oncology

Leading mesothelioma treatment centers in the South:

Ochsner Cancer Institute

Mesothelioma Specialists:

W. Charles Conway, M.D., Peritoneal Surface Malignancies
Brian Pettiford, M.D. Pleural Mesothelioma

Emory Winship Cancer Institute

Mesothelioma Specialist: Dong Moon Shin, M.D., F.A.C.P., Medical Oncologist

Leading VA mesothelioma treatment centers:

Boston VA Healthcare System

Miami VA Healthcare System

Mesothelioma Specialist: Dao Nguyen, M.D., Thoracic Surgery

Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System

Mesothelioma Specialist: Robert Cameron, M.D. Surgical Oncology

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Many patients are turning to alternative hospitals, cancer centers, and institutions for treatments. These new models for cancer care – referred to as a “hybrid approach” – offers patients more local access to clinical trials with a focus on multi-disciplinary care.

The hybrid approach is gaining popularity and attracting prominent doctors, researchers, and institutions. Advocates believe the new models offer patients better care than they would receive in a traditional community setting.

Doctors are attracted to this hybrid model because it allows them to practice medicine and conduct research at the same time, without systemic barriers of traditional settings.

Five prominent hybrid treatment centers in the United States are:

Baptist Health South Florida’s Miami Cancer Institute

The Miami Cancer Institute recently announced a partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which is among the most renowned cancer centers in the country. The Center is directed by Michael Zinner, M.D., formerly chief surgeon at Bingham and Women’s Hospital and clinical director of the Dana-Farber Cancer Center. The Miami Cancer Institute is the third member of Sloan Kettering’s “cancer alliance,” joining Lehigh Valley Health Network and Hartford Healthcare. This alliance allows the Miami Institute access to Sloan Kettering’s clinical trials, physicians, and educational resources.

Christiana’s Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute – Newark, Delaware

Headed by Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., since 2001, the Graham Cancer Center was selected as an NCI Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) site. More information on the NCCCP can be found at the bottom of this page, under Resources. Graham established Delaware’s High Risk Family Cancer Registry and Center for Translational Cancer Research, which led the state’s reduction in cancer mortality. Graham is under consideration to be an NCI-designated Cancer Center. The decision is expected by 2018.

Spartanburg’s Gibbs Cancer Center – South Carolina

Gibb’s Cancer Center was also selected as an NCCCP site. Timothy Yeatman, M.D., formerly of Moffitt Cancer Center, directs Gibbs Cancer Center. Yeatman created the Guardian Research Network to match patients to clinical trials. Gibbs is currently constructing a new facility in which each floor will focus on a certain cancer site (such as the lung) rather than specialty (such as surgery or chemotherapy).

Carolinas Healthcare’s Levine Cancer Institute – North Carolina

Derek Raghaven, M.D., directs the Levine Cancer Center to help patients in rural and suburban North Carolina and fully integrate into these communities. Dr. Raghaven formerly headed the Taussig Cancer Center at the Cleveland Clinic. The Levine Center currently operates about 25 sites in North and South Carolina, employing 130 clinicians and placing thousands of patients into clinical trials each year.

Inova’s Schar Cancer Institute – Northern Virginia

Directed by the former president of Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Donald “Skip” Trump, M.D., the Schar Cancer Institute is dedicated to advancing cancer care through genomics. It is part of a multihospital system and collaborates with pharmaceutical companies, with the goal of developing its own oncology drugs.

Contact an Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyer You Can Trust

Many people with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers mistakenly believe that the asbestos companies did not know their products caused cancer until it became newsworthy in the 1970s. In fact, there is evidence that manufacturers of asbestos products knew as early as the 1930’s that workers were at risk for lung cancer and mesothelioma from asbestos exposure.

With over five decades of combined experience, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has extensive knowledge about many types of toxic substance cases, especially asbestos exposure. Our team of Illinois lung cancer attorneys has a vast database of companies, products, occupations, and sites that used asbestos across the country. We can find the source of your exposure for you, so you can focus on your health. We are prepared to ensure that you receive the best representation and the largest settlement possible.

If you or a loved one has suffered from asbestos exposure, contact us today at (800) 307-3113. We can provide you with a free no-obligation consultation and travel directly to you.

What Is Asbestos?

The term “asbestos” refers to a number of naturally occurring mineral fibers. These fibers are strong, durable, poor conductors of electricity, and heat resistant. Because of these properties, asbestos was widely used in manufacturing and construction through the mid-1970s. Although the use of asbestos was first regulated in the 1970s by the U.S. government, its use continued in asbestos cement products, automotive brakes, and gaskets into the 1990s.

Asbestos has been used in consumer products, such as:

• Baby powder and talcum powder
• Cigarette filters
• Hair dryers
• Crock pots
• Toasters
• Coffee pots
• Popcorn poppers
• Potting soil

Most asbestos exposure victims are industrial and construction workers, but asbestos fibers can travel home on workers’ clothing and affect family members as well. Children and spouses of industrial workers can develop mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis from exposure in the household. This is known as secondhand, take-home, or household exposure.

What Are Some Dangers of Asbestos?

Exposure to asbestos can lead to the following health conditions:

• Asbestosis occurs when inhaled asbestos fibers are trapped inside the lungs. The body produces an acid in an attempt to dissolve these fibers, which causes scarring around the lung tissue. Eventually, this scarring becomes so severe that it disrupts lung function. The latency period – or amount of time between inhalation and diagnosis – for developing asbestosis is estimated at 25 to 40 years.
• Lung cancer is an illness characterized by uncontrolled growth in the lung tissue. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing, and weight loss. Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer in people who have been exposed to asbestos, but lung cancer can affect anyone. Even former or present smokers may be eligible for a lung cancer claim.
• Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium-the lining around the heart, chest, abdomen, heart and testicles that produces fluid to cushion and protect the organs as they move against each other. Each year approximately 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. This is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer divided into four types based on what part of the mesothelium shows cancer growth.
• Head & Neck Cancers along with esophageal, throat, and thyroid cancer can all be caused or worsened by exposure to asbestos. Head and neck cancer describes a number of malignant tumors that develop in or around the throat, mouth, larynx, nose and sinuses.

Health risks from asbestos increase with longer and heavier exposure. The industries most associated with asbestos-related illnesses are:

• Automotive – Asbestos is still used in clutches and brake pads. Until the 1970s, asbestos was widely used in transmission components, electric motor components, and heat-protective products. Asbestos materials remain in many automobiles built before 1975.
• Military – Asbestos was used throughout all branches of the military, but was most prevalent on ships and in Navy yards.
• Construction – Asbestos was extensively used in construction, from ceiling and floor tiles to joint compounds and cements. Exposure is likely among demolition workers, drywall removers, and do-it-yourself enthusiasts.
• Commercial and industrial sites – This includes power plants, steel mills, textile factories, chemical plants, and oil refineries.
• Shipbuilding – Asbestos was an ideal material for the shipbuilding industry, used everywhere from boilers to galleys.
• Mining and milling – United States consumption of asbestos peaked in 1973, with hundreds of mining operations throughout the country. One mine continued operation until 2002.

Award-Winning Advocacy Just a Phone Call Away – Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm

Our 24-hour call-in line is available to help start your case. All cases begin with a free initial consultation and are handled on a contingency fee basis, so we ONLY get paid if we get you compensation. To begin your mesothelioma case, call (800) 307-3113 or contact us online. Our lung cancer attorneys handle cases across the United States.

Resource Links

• National Cancer Institute: Mesothelioma – Visit this link on the National Cancer Institute’s website to learn more about mesothelioma. The National Cancer Institute is part of the United States National Institutes of Health.
• National Cancer Institute: Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk – Visit this website to learn more about asbestos exposure and cancer risk.

Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form