A mesothelioma case is a personal injury lawsuit filed by the victim of mesothelioma against the negligent party responsible for the victim's development of this asbestos related cancer. Approximately 3000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Because this cancer can remain latent for several years- up to forty- there may be a number of people who have this disease but have not yet been diagnosed.
Mesothelioma is a cancer almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. A mesothelioma case affects the mesothelium- the tissue that protects internal organs. Mesothelioma can affect the pleural lining of the lungs when toxic amounts of asbestos are inhaled. The symptoms of plural mesothelioma may include chest pains, shortness of breath, and/or a chronic cough, though often times it is asymptomatic.
A mesothelioma case may also affect the peritoneal tissues surrounding the organs in the abdominal cavity. Peritoneal mesothelioma causes a thickening of the tissues and a collection of fluid in the abdomen. Symptoms may include swelling or pain in the belly, weight loss, bowel problems, nausea, anemia or swelling of the feet. This type of mesothelioma case may also be asymptomatic for several years. This peritoneal mesothelioma case is caused by ingestion of airborne asbestos fibers in the environment.
A mesothelioma case can be difficult to diagnose and treat. By the time an individual is diagnosed with this disease, the prognosis is usually bleak. The average survival time for a mesothelioma victim is one year. Surgical removal of cancerous tissues is often difficult or impossible because the mesothelioma usually spreads significantly before diagnosis.
Anyone who is exposed to asbestos is at risk for developing mesothelioma. People in the shipyard, railroad, factory, construction, automotives, building, and custodial industries may be at risk for toxic exposure to asbestos. Because the disease can remain dormant for so many years, people who were exposed to asbestos as far back as the 1950s are still at risk for developing mesothelioma. The harmful effects of asbestos have been known for over sixty years, though some businesses continue to use asbestos despite the serious health consequences.
If you have been exposed to asbestos and developed serious health problems as a result, you may be eligible to file a mesothelioma case to recover the damages you have suffered. Dependents and beneficiaries of a mesothelioma victim may be eligible to file a mesothelioma case on behalf of a victim who has died from this cancer. Victims in a mesothelioma case can recover damages related to medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. A qualified attorney can advise victims of their legal rights and options in a mesothelioma case, and help protect and maximize a victim's interests in a mesothelioma case.
