Mesothelioma
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control, over 2,500 people died from Mesothelioma in 2015. From 1999–2015, a total of 45,221 deaths with malignant mesothelioma mentioned on the death certificate as the underlying or contributing cause of death were reported in the United States. Mesothelioma is a very serious problem, and according to the CDC, it isn’t going away anytime soon.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops over a long period of time in the linings of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It can take as long as 20-50 years to appear. Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for mesothelioma.
There are three types of mesothelioma:
- Pleural Mesothelioma
Plerural mesothelioma is mesothelioma that has developed in the lining of the lungs. This is the most common type of mesothelioma, accounting for 80-85% of diagnosed mesothelioma cases.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is mesothelioma that has developed in the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma accounts for 15-20% of diagnosed mesothelioma cases (400-500 patients a year).
- Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is mesothelioma that has developed in the heart area. It is an extremely rare form of mesothelioma, accounting for less than 1% of diagnosed mesothelioma cases.
What Is Asbestos?
Mesothelioma almost always develops as a result of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used for thousands of years for its fire and heat resistance, strength, and low cost. Asbestos fibers are tiny fibers that can be inhaled or ingested while handling asbestos or products created with asbestos. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining of organs and cause inflammation and disruption of normal cell growth.
Until the early 1980s, asbestos was widely used in several industries and thousands of products, including cars, ships, pipe, construction, military, and many others. Tragically, records indicate that many companies who used asbestos in their facilities and products knew that the material was dangerous. As a result, many lawsuits have been brought against these companies on behalf of mesothelioma victims.
Faced with this mass of litigation, many of these companies found they could not sufficiently pay the settlements and jury awards that came out of these lawsuits and were forced to set up trust funds that provide compensation to victims of asbestos exposure. Estimated at over $30 Billion, these trusts are set up to pay mesothelioma claims quickly and efficiently. Most of these trusts make it easier for people suffering from mesothelioma to receive the compensation they deserve.
If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you may be entitled to recover money from companies that caused you to be exposed to asbestos. Our Mesothelioma team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
