Veterans and Mesothelioma Exposure

March 1, 2010 on 6:11 am | In Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma | No Comments

Mesothelioma is one of the leading causes of cancer among veterans in the United States. The disease is most prevalent in veterans of the era of the 40s through to the 60s when the use of asbestos was wide spread in the construction of military equipment. Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms as a direct result of continuous exposure to asbestos particles. Upon inhalation, the asbestos particles find their way into the deep annals of the lungs where they become logged amongst the tissue and cells. Here they remain ant interact with antibodies released by the body as a direct result of the irritation caused by the asbestos particles and transform the surrounding cells into cancerous cells. This process continues until the entire lining of the lung becomes damaged. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is not easily diagnosed resulting in many veterans being unaware of their condition until the disease becomes irreversible.

Between the 1930 through to the 1970s, the use of asbestos was prevalent in many military constructions. As a result, military veterans from all sections of the armed forces who served in World War 2, Korean War and Vietnam now exhibit after effects of asbestos exposure. The main exposure came from equipment such ships, submarines and airplane in which asbestos was used for insulation purposes.

Navy

US Naval veterans have one of the highest rates of mesothelioma among US veterans. Most of these individuals served in shipyards where they were involved in the construction of ships and submarines for use in the fleet. These vessels were laced with asbestos from end to end due its excellent heat resistance qualities. The asbestos was placed in walls, floors, valve gaskets and around boilers. However, due the lack of knowledge available at the time about the dangers of asbestos exposure, these individuals worked fearlessly to get their orders out.

Army

Although members of the army did not use utilize ships or submarines during their operations, this did not save them from asbestos exposure. Asbestos was a cheap material that could be used in many applications. As a result, asbestos was used to construct sleeping barracks in many locations overseas. It provided good insulation in cold countries, however as the wars progressed, many of these building aged or were damaged by enemy fire causing the asbestos particles to be released into the environment. These side effects still exist for those individuals who still live in the war-ravished areas who still use some of these buildings for living purposes.

Marines

It is a tradition for marines to work closely with the navy as most of their deployment depends on the assistance of the navy. As a result, these marines become exposed to the same contaminated conditions on asbestos-laced vessels. In addition, many of the buildings used the marines while on land were also built from asbestos products.

Air Force

Asbestos is a relatively light material that provides good insulation that was perfect at the time for use in airplane construction. As a result of being enclosed in these small cockpits for extended periods during wars and training, world war 2, Korean and Vietnam veteran pilots have gained the unfortunate post of being second only to navy veterans with the highest rate of mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure

Best Mesothelioma Attorneys in California

February 3, 2010 on 6:22 am | In Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Attorney | No Comments

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen and chest. When you are exposed to asbestos particles in the air, you are going to develop malignant Mesothelioma. With asbestos-related lawsuits, it is quite important that you are fully aware of your legal rights.

Nadrich & Cohen LLP

With Nadrich & Cohen LLP, you get the right legal solution to your mesothelioma case. Aware of what is involved in a legal battle, Nadrich & Cohen LLP offers excellent networking and information resources. This will make you feel comfortable throughout your case.

Whether it is the fault of your employer or the doctors who failed to diagnose you properly, mesothelioma attorneys will give you support in every step. While you are being treated, the attorneys of Nadrich & Cohen LLP will prepare your case so that there are no issues in terms of settlement claims. Unlike other California law firms, the attorneys of Nadrich & Cohen LLP have skills and experience rather than just standard book knowledge. The asbestos lawyers of Nadrich & Cohen LLP have extensive hours of practice with regard to settling claims. As a mesothelioma victim, you deserve the right legal and medical treatment; at Nadrich & Cohen LLP you get exactly that.

Law Offices of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason

With experience of more than 25 years in handling Mesothelioma cases, Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason provides quality legal services at affordable rates. At Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason, you will find that they do not take many Mesothelioma cases. This ensures that you are going to get individual attention from the attorneys.

The Law Office of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason was founded to make sure that individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma get the best possible legal help. By taking the services of the Law Office of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason, you are going to get much needed financial, physical and emotional support. Aware of the stressful nature of Mesothelioma, the attorneys make an extra effort ensure that clients do not face any problem during the lawsuit process. The paralegals, administrators and investigators of the Law Office of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason will give 100% in every stage.

As the attorneys of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason have handled Mesothelioma cases for a long time; they have developed a knowledge base regarding asbestos products and Mesothelioma diagnosis. The Law Office of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason has been successful in handling asbestos lawsuits.

The Mesothelioma attorneys at the Law Office of Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason are of the opinion that knowledge is important and there is no substitute for work experience. To make your case stronger, the attorneys employ all sorts of legal routines. To give their clients the best possible legal solution, the Mesothelioma attorneys follow tailored approach where the chances of failure are minimal. In addition, they can get quick financial settlements from a number of asbestos companies so you can concentrate solely on your health.

Georgia Mesothelioma Lawsuits

January 28, 2010 on 3:58 am | In Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawsuit, Mesothelioma Lawyer | No Comments

Mesothelioma is a serious disease; often making its presence felt twenty or thirty years after exposure. You need to start the medical treatment immediately in order to have more than a one year survival rate. When filing Georgia Mesothelioma lawsuits, you need to have a proper understanding of all the intricacies that are associated with filing lawsuits. Make sure you hire a qualified and experienced Mesothelioma lawyer because only then can you attain success in your lawsuit.

Occupational Exposure

With Mesothelioma lawsuits, you must know the meaning of occupational exposure. This is normally caused by the toxic mineral asbestos in its fireproofing and insulation forms. Individuals who have worked with asbestos and later were diagnosed with Mesothelioma can file a lawsuit, even if it has occurred twenty years after the exposure.

Georgia Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Litigation is a confusing and often long routine. When you hire a Mesothelioma attorney, you need to provide your medical details for assessment. After the assessment, the lawyer can tell you if there is a good chance that you can get some compensation. It is the responsibility of a Mesothelioma lawyer to file a complaint in the court on your behalf. Before filing, the Mesothelioma lawyer will interact with you on various issues.

Once your case is filed, the court will set dates for the proceedings. If there is no agreement between both parties, a decision will be made on the basis of court proceedings. Because Mesothelioma is a disease, there is going to be some involvement of an Independent Medical Examiner. It is the responsibility of this medical examiner to implement an unbiased medical investigation into your Mesothelioma case and take a closer look at your medical details.

Role of the Mesothelioma Lawyer

Your Mesothelioma lawyer will play a prominent part in the outcome of your case. If your case is managed properly, there is a good chance that you are going to attain success during the court proceeding. On the other hand, if there is any discrepancy in the case preparation, you are not going to get a positive result. Generally, your Mesothelioma lawyer will take the services of other experts in dealing with your case including trial preparation specialists and multimedia experts.

The main responsibility of trial preparation specialists is to conduct mock trials. Multimedia experts are given the responsibility of presenting evidence in the court in a positive manner. If evidence is not properly presented, your Mesothelioma lawyer is going to struggle during the court proceeding.

You Can Win

You can certainly win Georgia Mesothelioma lawsuits if you have an experienced Mesothelioma attorney. It may sound stressful initially, but once you get accustomed to it, you are not going to face any problem. To win a lawsuit against your employer, it is quite important that you act on the basis of your lawyer’s advice rather than making quick decisions on your own. Do not hide anything from your attorney otherwise it can have a negative impact on your Georgia Mesothelioma lawsuit.

Mesothelioma Lawyers in US

January 21, 2010 on 4:52 am | In Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawyer | No Comments

Mesothelioma is known as a silent killer or old people’s disease as a result of its incubation period. In its early stages, it presents similar symptoms to those of regular respiratory ailments and it can be treated long term as the wrong disease. As a result, when patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma, are in their older years and the disease is at an advanced stage.

History of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma has become a widespread problem in the United States. The recognition of Mesothelioma began in the early 1900s when what was thought of as a miracle creation, asbestos, was introduced to the US. Asbestos was hailed as the answer to the need for a lightweight, inexpensive and readily available material that could be easily fitted to just about anything that needed insulation.

However, shortly after its discovery, its creators found out the dangers associated with the inhalation of its particles could lead to disease. Unfortunately, this discovery was made at the time of the two World Wars during which asbestos was heavily used in the manufacturing of ships, planes, submarines and portable housing for soldiers. As a result, the information regarding the dangers was suppressed. By the time the general populous became aware of the effects of asbestos, asbestos use was widespread and it had been installed in almost every major building in the US. This put many people in danger of developing Mesothelioma without even knowing they had been exposed.

Mesothelioma Claims in the US

To date, records show that at least 600,000 Mesothelioma claims have been made within the United States alone since the passing of the 1970 Clean Air Act. These claims were made with the support of qualified lawyers who were capable of building credible cases to prove that the mesothelioma developed in patients was due to their exposure to asbestos. These lawyers had to don their battle boots to face many the high profile legal teams set up by asbestos manufacturers to defend their cause. As a result, patients had to choose diligently which lawyers to represent them, as these lawyers should possess certain characteristics to obtain favorable results.

Choosing a Mesothelioma Lawyer

According to US law, patients who have developed mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure are entitled to compensation from the asbestos industry. However, they must be able to prove their claim and for this they need the services of a sound mesothelioma lawyer who is knowledgeable about the industry, the disease and its effects. These mesothelioma lawyers will be able to get you the highest possible compensation available. However when choosing a mesothelioma lawyer, one should:

  • Make a thorough check on the attorney’s credentials. Do not follow television infomercials and billboards that exaggerate the accomplishments of mesothelioma lawyers and their claim sizes. Investigate their real success rate in winning claims and their client base.
  • Do not become overwhelmed by big names as association with big name mesothelioma lawyers comes with a big price tag. This will make a significant cut in the amount of claim money you actually receive.
  • Ensure a fee is agreed on before signing any contracts. Remember it is the lawyer who knows the law and may make things seem rosier than it actually is. Get everything in black and white.
  • Ask the lawyer to explain the legalities of the case, potential claim size and your chances of winning the claim.

Asbestos Removal – US Fights back Mesothelioma with $ 2Billion Aid

January 19, 2010 on 5:14 am | In Mesothelioma | No Comments

By the time information on the dangers of asbestos inhalation reached the main masses, millions of individuals have already been employed in companies whose buildings contained asbestos. Asbestos was seen as a revolutionary material because of its relatively cheap cost and it high insulating properties. As a result, it was widely used in ducting, piping and wall installations were there was a need to reduce heat transfer. However, it was later realized that manufacturers were concealing the after effects of asbestos exposure due to the high financial gains they were receiving from its production.

Beginning of the end for Asbestos

The awareness of the dangerous side effects of asbestos exposure began in 1966 when a group of workers at an asbestos factory sued the factory for compensation due to their exposure to asbestos. They lost the original case, but the case was reopened in 1970 when the courts ruled in favor of the plaintiff and awarded him $70,000 that would translate to $500,000 today. This gave rise to the passing of the clean air act of 1970 that made asbestos manufacturers liable for lawsuit due to asbestos exposure. This resulted in many of these companies filing bankruptcy and going out of business. However, due to high installation rate of asbestos during the sixties and seventies, many buildings remain laden with asbestos and still pose a risk to their occupants.

Asbestos Removal

There are many schools of thought when it comes to how to deal with asbestos. It is a fact that the dangers of asbestos lies in its inhalation. Therefore, if the asbestos is not disturbed, where its particles would be dislodged into the immediate environment, then it does not pose a threat to the environment. To go further, some argue that removing asbestos poses an even greater threat than leaving it dormant. During its removal, it is natural that the asbestos particles will become dislodged. As a result, those in the immediate environment will be at risk.

As a result, engineers have asbestos removal should be reserved only to buildings schedule for demolition were the particles will become air born after the demolition. Otherwise, if the asbestos can be contained, it would have the same effect of removing it. Some of these proposed measures include deep sealing where asbestos that is good condition is encapsulated in some form of semi-plastic or foam that can prevents its release even if disturbed after. Another proposal, again only if the asbestos is in good condition, is to post labels in buildings that have asbestos used in its construction. This will make individuals aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure and then make decisions accordingly. Finally, all new buildings must be constructed without the use of asbestos.

UN leading the way with Asbestos Removal

In its effort to add its voice to the fight against mesothelioma, the United Nations building will undertake a 2 billion makeover of its office in New York. This makeover involves the removal of all asbestos-based materials, repair leaking roofs and install energy saving devices to reduce its carbon footprint. This project slated to begin in 2014 is to be used as a beacon for the fight of mesothelioma.

Rise in Asbestos Related Litigation – Who is Responsible?

January 8, 2010 on 4:04 am | In Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Lawsuit | 3 Comments

Since 1994, the judicial system has seen a significant increase in the number of civil lawsuit cases involving mesothelioma. These cases involving disease of mesothelioma fall under the category of asbestos litigation and entails injuries incurred from the exposure to asbestos.

One of the first success stories for environmental protectionist was the fight against asbestos inhalation in 1970. The pressure applied by these activist lead to the Clean Air Act of 1970 as a direct result of manufacturers unwillingness to provide protection for their customers and employees exposed to asbestos although they were fully aware of its side effects. This act has made these manufactures liable to pay compensation to individuals who have developed asbestos related health problems.

Asbestos Litigation

The effects of asbestos inhalation takes a long time to appear at which time the damage is already done and is irreversible. Although the Clean Air act was passed way back in 1970, the effects of the disease is just being felt. As a result, there has been a sharp increase in asbestos related claims. Proving your case is sometimes difficult as these manufactures have well-oiled legal teams to protect them from these mesothelioma lawsuits based on their projections for peaks in lawsuits. Most individuals have to combine their efforts in the form of past employee and community groups where they can pool their financial resources to solicit the services of lawyers who can counter these high profile company lawyers.

Asbestos Litigation Statistics

Since the passing of the 1970 Clean Air act, asbestos litigation has undergone many changes. Estimates show that over the years, over 100 million Americans have been exposed to asbestos in one form or another. The case brought against asbestos producers was one brought against eleven manufacturers in 1966 by employees exposed to asbestos while on the job. Since 2002, more than 720,000 individuals have filed asbestos related claims against over 8400 entities at a cost of over $70 billion.

This in itself has created new problems for asbestos related disease sufferers as many of these companies immediately file for bankruptcy once they have been made liable for asbestos related compensation. As a result, much asbestos litigation has now been transferred to the bankruptcy court.

Proposed Asbestos Litigation Reform

Because of the many cases brought against the original manufacturers of asbestos, many of these companies have now ceased their operation. This leaves current asbestos exposure victim with a dilemma of who to hold responsible for their exposure. As a result, there is now a new proposal to hold peripheral companies who have relationships with these asbestos manufactures to assume some responsibility for continued expose to asbestos.

This is supported by the view that the worst is yet to come relating to the after effects of asbestos exposure. Many individuals are not aware of their condition until some 25 to 30 years after exposure.

However, this proposal has been facing stiff resistance from companies and the government alike. Many of these manufactures have connections in congress that protect their interest. As a result, the attempt to introduce to congress the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2005 that would have created a $140 billion fund for asbestos exposure victims has been declared dead as since then there has not been a credible replacement.

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