People with mesothelioma cancer may be unaware for years that they have the illness. By the time people experience symptoms, seek medical treatment, and get diagnosed, the cancer has often progressed to an advanced stage. That is why the survival rate for mesothelioma is so low.
About Mesothelioma
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, mesothelioma is a form of cancer that can affect the pleura, or the lining around the lungs, as well as the linings around the abdomen, heart, and testicles.
Mesothelioma is most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of naturally occurring fibers that were mined and used in a wide array of products, including building materials, fireproof blankets, vehicle parts, appliances, cosmetics, and other household goods. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people suffered exposure to asbestos through work. Workers who came into contact with asbestos on the job often were not provided with protective equipment and developed mesothelioma years later.
In some cases, their family members also developed the illness after they were exposed to asbestos when workers carried the carcinogen home on their clothes and bodies. Consumers who bought products containing asbestos were sometimes exposed to the carcinogen on a daily basis in their homes.
How Mesothelioma Is Diagnosed
Patients often live for years with no idea that they have mesothelioma cancer. They may first suspect that something is wrong when they notice fluid around the lungs or in the abdomen. Doctors can test the fluid and use other tools, including a biopsy, blood and lung function tests, and imaging scans, to make a diagnosis.
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Mesothelioma Treatment Options
The type of mesothelioma, its stage, and a patient’s age and overall health can influence a person’s chance of survival. If mesothelioma is caught early and treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, a patient has a better chance of recovery.
Unfortunately, in most cases the disease is detected at a much later stage and comes as a shock. Many people have no idea that they were exposed to asbestos years or decades earlier and that cancer had gradually been growing in their bodies. When they receive the diagnosis, patients are often told that the mesothelioma has already reached an advanced stage and that they have little hope of recovery.
Getting Legal Support for Your Cancer Diagnosis
If you received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you may be suffering from difficulty breathing and severe pain. You may be feeling overwhelmed by doctor’s appointments and medication, and you may be unable to care for your children and to complete everyday tasks around the house. The medical bills and your lost income may have your family struggling to cover the mortgage and other living expenses. You may be worried about what the future holds for your family and concerned about their financial security.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help. We represent clients who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos at work, through household products, or by other means.
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Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for Help
Once we identify the source of your asbestos exposure, we can decide how to proceed. Our team may file a personal injury lawsuit against the company that was responsible to seek a financial award to compensate you for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Even if the company that was responsible for your mesothelioma went bankrupt, we may still be able to pursue compensation for you. Numerous companies that declared bankruptcy after facing a wave of lawsuits set up trust funds to compensate people who suffered exposure to asbestos and who later developed mesothelioma.
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Explore Your Legal Options with Us
If you are unable to work and overwhelmed by bills your family cannot pay, you may be thinking that you could not possibly afford to hire an attorney. You need not worry about your ability to pay. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm operates on a contingency fee basis. That means that personal injury clients do not have to pay us anything up front. We cover costs related to personal injury cases ourselves and only get paid if we obtain financial compensation on behalf of a client. Call our office today at (800) 307-3113 to talk to a member of our staff about what you are experiencing and how we may be able to help.
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