VIKA VIRUS ATTORNEY

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Zika Virus Birth Defects, Zika Microcephaly, Zika Virus Birth Defects Lawsuit |Zika Microcephaly Birth Defect Lawsuit | Zika Virus Birth Defect Attorney Zika Microcephaly, Microcephaly Lawsuit | Pyriproxyfen Lawsuit | Microcephaly Pyriproxyfen.

The Zika virus has been linked to microcephaly, a congenital condition birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and an underdeveloped brain. But a recent Zika virus microcephaly report released by an Argentine physicians group now suggests a poisonous chemical called, “pyriproxyfen,” a larvacide, and not the Zika virus may be the cause of the microcephaly outbreak. Pyriproxyfen, which causes malformations in mosquitoes, was used in 2014 by the Brazilian government to control the mosquito population there.

Pregnant women have been urged to take precautions against the Zika virus, especially in Brazil where the largest number of newborns with microcephaly birth defects were recorded. Zika virus cases have also been reported across the United States, where Sumitomo Chemical, the maker of pyriproxyfen, has subsidiary offices. Sumitomo is also associated with the chemical manufacturer Monsanto.

Southern Med Law is investigating the allegations in the Zika virus report that suggests the chemical larvicide Pyriproxyfen is the cause of the microcephaly outbreak. The firm is especially concerned after the investigating doctors stated in their report that “Malformations detected in thousands of children from pregnant women living in areas where the Brazilian state added pyriproxyfen to drinking water is not a coincidence,”

The report by the Physicians in Crop-Sprayed Towns (PCST) states the Brazilian government injected pyriproxyfen in the drinking water supply to stop mosquitos from breeding in drinking water tanks. The state of Pernambuco, which was the first to notice the Zika virus microcephaly problem, had 35 percent of reported microcephaly cases in the country. Since October, 4,180 cases ofZika virus microcephaly birth defects had been reported, according to the Washington Post. The PCST report said Brazilian health officials did not realize that Pernambuco, which saw the dramatic rise inZika virus microcephaly cases, was also the area where the Brazilian government began using pyriproxyfen, commercially known as Sumilarv and manufactured by the Japan-based Sumimoto Chemical. The PCST report further noted that the birth defect microcephaly has not been linked to any past Zika epidemics in Brazil. Additionally, the birth defect microcephaly has not been associated with Zika virus cases in Columbia.[techtimes.com/articles/133548/20160214/monsanto-larvicide-not-zika-virus-true-cause-of-brazils-microcephaly-outbreak-doctors.htm, Tech Times, February 14, 2015]
[washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/01/29/brazil-may-have-fewer-zika-related-microcephaly-cases-than-previously-reported/, Washington Post, January 29, 2016]

What Is The Zika Virus?

Zika is a disease spread in people primarily through a mosquito bite, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention. While there have been no mosquito-borne Zika cases reported in U.S. states, suspected Zika virus cases reported in the United States have been associated with traveling to South America. With the recent Zika virus outbreaks, however, the CDC predicts more cases will be reported due to the number of people traveling to and from the United States. In addition to Brazil, thousands of Zika virus cases have been reported in Colombia, and South America.
[cdc.gov/zika/disease-qa.html, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 12, 2016]
[usnews.com/news/articles/2016-01-20/zika-virus-cases-appearing-in-us, US News, January 20, 2016]

Zika Virus Symptom

According to Report the symptoms include

• Fever
• Rash
• Joint pain
• Conjunctivitis (red eyes)

Symptoms last from several days to a week and people usually do not require hospitalization. Death by Zika virus is rare.
[cdc.gov/zika/disease-qa.html, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 12, 2016]

Zika Virus Microcephaly Birth Defect

Southern Med Law is currently investigating Zika virus microcephaly birth defect lawsuits associated with Zika virus or the chemical, pyriproxyfen, If you or someone you love gave birth to a newborn with the birth defect microcephaly linked to the Zika virus or the chemical, pyriproxyfen, contact Southern Med Law to inquire about filing a Zika virus microcephaly birth defect lawsuit. Southern Med Law offers Zika virus microcephaly birth defect lawsuit legal consultations to families whose babies were born with microcephaly due to the Zika virus or the chemical, pyriproxyfen. Call 1-205-547-5525 or fill out our online form located on the www.southernmedlaw.com website.

MESOTHELOMIA LAWYER AND YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS

Mesothelioma Lawyers & Your Legal Rights

In response to numerous requests, Asbestos.com now recommends top law firms nationwide. Due to high medical bills, choosing the proper mesothelioma lawyer will be one of the most important decisions that your family makes post diagnosis. The sad truth is that finding a good lawyer to represent you in your mesothelioma case can be a daunting task due to the fact that you are unfamiliar with what distinguishes a good firm from a bad firm. Unfortunately, repercussions of choosing the wrong firm can have a tremendous impact on your family's future economic well being. The good news is that at Asbestos.com we have done the research for you.
Through years of experience and case analysis we are able to determine which firms can best help clients based on their individual asbestos exposure. The truth about mesothelioma claims is that each case is different in that every case rises and falls on its own set of facts. Specifically, most cases depend on whether the injured is able to identify where he or she was exposed to asbestos during their lifetime. Often times a person with mesothelioma has been exposed to multiple asbestos products, all of which contributed, whether in a small or large way, to the development of the mesothelioma cancer.
Please keep in mind that mesothelioma cases are not class actions and each case is unique and should be filed separately. You need to determine which law firm concentrates on the specific type of asbestos exposure that applies to your individual case. For example, if a person was exposed to asbestos via industrial exposure at a chemical plant in Michigan, their case would be distinctly different from someone who was primarily exposed to asbestos while serving on a California-based naval ship. While Firm X may be terrific at the industrial case, they may be ill-equipped to represent someone on a naval exposure case.
If you are choosing among a group of law firms or have yet to undertake the task of finding representation, please take the time to fill out a form or speak to a representative at 1-800- ASBESTOS about your potential claim. We would be happy to do an individual analysis of your case and recommend the firm we feel is best suited to help you.
Why Seek Legal Action?
Every year, thousands of people die or become ill due to the negligence of asbestos manufacturers. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you should contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible. You may have been powerless to prevent current medical problems, but you do have legal options. Hiring a lawyer with extensive experience and knowledge of asbestos claims can help you receive compensation from those responsible.
Mesothelioma, which is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure, and other asbestos-related illnesses are attributed to negligence because asbestos companies knew about the associated health risks and decided not to tell employees or leak this information to the general public. As early as the 1920s asbestos companies were completely aware that their product not only caused harm to human health, but that it held the potential to claim the lives of those exposed to the substance.
By the 1930s and '40s, medical evidence had clearly linked asbestos exposure to lung disease and deadly asbestos cancers. Asbestos companies had been extensively warned of these dangers, but instead of choosing to use alternative substances (and many were available at the time), the industry chose soaring profits over the preservation of human health. It is because of these unethical actions that asbestos manufacturers are held liable for the undue suffering of those dealing with asbestos-related disease. To read more about this illustrious scandal, please see The Asbestos Cover-Up.
As a result, those with mesothelioma have legal options and are allowed to seek compensation through the court system because of these criminal actions. Filing a claim against the entity responsible for your asbestos exposure will not only bring justice to the corrupt asbestos industry, it will also afford the opportunity to be compensated for the costs, as well as pain and suffering, associated with asbestos-induced illness. The following include some of the expenses for which you can pursue compensation:
Lost wages
Medical bills
Group support for you and your loved ones
Funeral expenses
Travel expenses relating to medical treatments
Expenses not covered by health insurance
A mesothelioma lawyer can review even more expenses that could be covered under your lawsuit, as each case varies. Make sure to save all medical and financial records relating to your asbestos-induced illness for this purpose. Aside from providing these sorts of documents and answering questions about your condition and how you may have been exposed to asbestos, you will not have to be involved with other stages of the case. Mesothelioma lawyers understand that their clients are far too ill and concerned with spending time with their families to deal with the details of filing a lawsuit or attending trial. For this reason, mesothelioma lawyers handle every aspect and detail of the case.
There are two types of lawsuits you may rightfully file in asbestos injury cases. If a family member has passed away from an asbestos-induced disease, you can file a wrongful death suit. In a personal injury claim, the individual suffering with an asbestos-related illness must be the one to file suit. Specific rights in these lawsuits depend on the county and state where the case is filed.
Employees of companies who used asbestos are not the only individuals who have rights against asbestos companies. Although the vast majority of cases are between employers and employees, other groups have rights as well. For example, if you have developed an asbestos-related disease because a spouse or family member worked for a company using asbestos, you may also have a case.Asbestos readily attaches to and travels well on clothing and hair, making it easy to track home after working around the material.
Having a mesothelioma lawyer is essential to successfully file suit against a corporation in an asbestos-related case. Although you have the legal right to pursue compensation, the entity being sued also has the legal right to try to disprove your case, and this is why it is so important to hire an experience mesothelioma attorney who has the knowledge and experience to bring justice to those responsible for your illness.
The resources at Asbestos.com offer exceptional referrals for some of the most experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in the nation. For more information on your legal rights and other issues surrounding asbestos litigation, please fill out the form on the right or call us at 1-800-ASBESTOS (1-800-272-3786) to receive a comprehensive and informative packet.
Mesothelioma News
Australian Resident Wins Asbestos-Related Lawsuit Against Ford2008-12-30 17:23:50The Ford Motor Company announced last week that they intend to drop their appeal against an $840,000 asbestos compensation battle involving Antonino Lo Presti. Lo Presti learned the news while he was ...Read More
Washington State Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Asbestos Manufacturers2008-12-22 17:23:28The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled in favor of manufacturers who have failed to warn about the dangers of asbestos used to insulate their products. Involving more than a dozen companies, ...Read More
Ohio Asbestos Bill Could Hurt Mesothelioma Victims2008-12-18 15:56:21A new bill introduced to the Ohio state legislature could potentially limit the rights of asbestos exposure victims in pursuing compensation for their illness.

HOW IS MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA DIANOSED

If there is a reason to suspect you may have mesothelioma, your doctor will use one or more methods to find out if the disease is present. The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is recognizing your symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Early symptoms of mesotheliomas are not specific to the disease. People often ignore them or mistake them for common, minor ailments. Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for only 2 to 3 months before they are diagnosed. About one-fourth of people have symptoms for at least 6 months before they are diagnosed.
Over half of patients with pleural mesothelioma have pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest. Many report shortness of breath. A smaller percentage have trouble swallowing, cough, fever, sweating, fatigue, and weight loss. Other symptoms include hoarseness, coughing up blood, swelling of the face and arms, muscle weakness, and sensory loss.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal (belly) pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. There may also be fluid or a mass in the abdomen.
If you have any of these symptoms and have been exposed to asbestos you should see a doctor right away.
Medical History and Physical Exam
A complete medical history (interview) is taken to check for risk factors and symptoms. This will include questions to determine if you have been exposed to asbestos.
A physical exam will provide information about signs of mesothelioma and other health problems. Patients with pleural mesotheliomas (mesotheliomas of the chest) often have fluid in their chest cavity (pleural effusion) caused by the cancer. Some will have fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites) in cases of peritoneal mesothelioma, or fluid in the pericardium (pericardial effusion) in cases of pericardial mesothelioma. All these might be detected during a physical exam. Otherwise they will be found by imaging studies.
Rarely, mesothelioma can develop in the groin and look like a hernia.
Imaging Tests
Imaging studies such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans will help determine the location, size, and extent of the cancer.
Chest x-ray: This may show irregular thickening of the pleura, calcium deposits on the pleura, or fluid in the pleural space. These findings suggest asbestos exposure leading to the development of a mesothelioma.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: The CT scan is an x-ray procedure that produces detailed cross-sectional images of your body. Instead of taking one picture, like a conventional x-ray, a CT scanner takes many pictures as it rotates around you. A computer then combines these pictures into an image of a slice of your body. The machine will take pictures of multiple slices of the part of your body that is being studied.
CT scans are often used to make the initial diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, and are helpful in staging the cancer (determining the extent of its spread).
Often after the first set of pictures is taken you will receive an intravenous injection of a "dye" or radiocontrast agent that helps better outline structures in your body. A second set of pictures is then taken.
CT scans are more tiring than regular x-rays because they take longer and you need to lie still on a table while they are being done. But just like other computerized devices, they are getting faster and your stay might be pleasantly short. Also, you might feel a bit confined by the ring you lie within when the pictures are being taken.
You will have an IV (intravenous) line through which the contrast "dye" is injected. The injection can also cause some flushing (redness and warm feeling). Some people are allergic and get hives or rarely more serious reactions like trouble breathing and low blood pressure. Be sure to tell the doctor if you have ever had a reaction to any contrast material used for x-rays. You may be asked to drink 1 to 2 pints of a solution of contrast material. This helps outline the intestine.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: In this test, radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into your vein. Because cancers use sugar much faster than normal tissues, the cancerous tissue takes up the radioactive material. A scanner can spot the radioactive deposits. This test, which is still being studied, is useful for telling whether a thickening of the tissues is cancer or merely scar tissue. It can also spot spread of the cancer.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scan: MRI scans use radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays. The energy from the radio waves is absorbed and then released in a pattern formed by the type of tissue and by certain diseases. A computer translates the pattern of radio waves given off by the tissues into a very detailed image of parts of the body. Not only does this produce cross sectional slices of the body like a CT scanner, it can also produce slices that are parallel with the length of your body. A contrast material might be injected just as with CT scans, but is used less often. Sometimes MRI scans are useful in looking at the diaphragm (the thin muscle at the bottom of the lung cage that is responsible for breathing) where the mesothelioma may spread.
MRI scans are particularly helpful in examining the brain and spinal cord. MRI scans are a little more uncomfortable than CT scans. First, they take longer — often up to 1 hour. Also, you have to be placed inside a tube, which is confining and can upset people with claustrophobia (fear of enclosed places). The machine also makes a thumping noise that you may find disturbing. Some places will provide headphones with music to block this out.
Blood Tests
As mentioned above, blood levels of a protein called osteopontin are elevated in people with mesothelioma. But this blood test is probably more useful for following a patient’s progress during and after treatment. It is not used to diagnose the disease, although an elevated level may raise suspicions.
Tests of Fluid and Tissue Samples
If you have a pleural effusion (a build up of fluid) a sample of this fluid can be removed by inserting a needle into the chest cavity. A similar technique can be used to obtain abdominal fluid and pericardial fluid. The fluid is then tested to see its chemical make up and viewed under a microscope by an expert in diagnosing cancer (pathologist) to determine whether cancer cells are present. If cancer cells are present, special tests are needed to diagnose whether the cancer is a mesothelioma, a lung cancer, or another type of cancer.
A tissue sample of a pleural or pericardial tumor can be obtained using a relatively new technique called thoracoscopy. A thoracoscope (telescope-like instrument connected to a video camera) is inserted through a small incision into the chest. Your doctor can see the tumor through the thoracoscope, and can use special forceps to take a tissue biopsy. Similarly, laparoscopy can be used to see and obtain a biopsy of a peritoneal tumor. In this procedure, a flexible tube attached to a video camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity through small incisions on the front of the abdomen. Fluid can also be collected during thoracoscopy or laparoscopy. The biopsy specimen will be sent to the pathology laboratory where the pathologist will examine it to determine if it is cancer.
Surgery, either a thoracotomy (which opens the chest cavity) or a laparotomy (which opens the abdominal cavity), allows the surgeon to remove a larger sample of tumor or, sometimes, to remove the entire tumor.
If you might have pleural mesothelioma, the doctor may also do a bronchoscopy. In this procedure a flexible lighted tube is inserted through your mouth, down the trachea, and into the bronchi to see if there are other masses in the airway. Small samples of abnormal-appearing tissue can be removed for testing.
You may also have a mediastinoscopy. A lighted tube is inserted under the sternum (chest bone) at the level of the neck and moved down into the chest. Mediastinoscopy allows the surgeon to view the lymph nodes in this area and remove samples to check for cancer. Lymph nodes are bean-sized collections of immune system cells that help the body fight infections and cancers. Cancers in the lung often spread to lymph nodes, but mesotheliomas do this less often. Tests on lymph nodes can give the doctor information on whether a cancer is still localized or if it has started to spread, and can help distinguish lung cancer from mesothelioma.
It is often hard to diagnose mesothelioma by looking at the cells from the fluid around the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is even hard to diagnose mesothelioma with tissue from small needle biopsies. Under the microscope, mesothelioma can look like several other types of cancer. For example, pleural mesothelioma may resemble some types of lung cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma may resemble some cancers of the ovaries. For this reason, special laboratory tests are often done to help distinguish mesothelioma from some other cancers.
These tests often use special techniques to recognize certain markers (types of chemicals) contained in mesotheliomas. One test called immunohistochemistry looks for different proteins on the surface of the cells. It can be used to tell if the cancer is a mesothelioma or a lung cancer, which can appear to start in the lining of the chest cavity. A newer test is called DNA Microarray analysis. This test actually looks at genes in the cancers. Mesotheliomas have different gene patterns than other cancers.
The electron microscope can sometimes help diagnose mesothelioma. This microscope can magnify samples more than 100 times greater than the light microscope that is generally used in cancer diagnosis. This more powerful microscope makes it possible to see the small parts of the cancer cells that distinguish mesothelioma from other types of cancer.

ASBESTOS ATTORNEY

The word Asbestos comes from Greek, meaning “not flammable”. It refers to the fibrous form of several minerals and hydrous silicates of magnesium. Like other fibers, asbestos can be molded or woven into fabrics to make fireproof products such as safety clothing for fire fighters and insulation products such as hot-water piping.
California, Vermont, and Arizona are the leading asbestos-producers in the United States, most commonly through open-pit mining. About 6 percent of the mined ore contains usable fibers, which are separated from the ore by crushing, air suction, and vibrating screens. These fibers are sorted into different lengths, or grades to be used in fabrics, building-construction materials, textiles, missile and jet parts, asphalt and caulking compounds and paints, brake linings or molded goods, such as pipes and gaskets.
Today, it seems sadly ironic that the Romans made cremation cloths from it. Due to the nation's need for the special qualities that asbestos possesses, the roster of those at risk for asbestos exposure reads like a Who's Who of American Trades and Unions:
Auto and Truck Brake & Clutch Mechanics
Boilermakers
Carpenters & Joiners
Electricians
Heat & Frost Insulators & Asbestos Workers
Insulators
Ironworkers
Laborers
Masons & Bricklayers
Metal Refining Operations
Millwrights
Operating Engineers
Painters & Plasterers
Plumbing & Heating Contractors
Roofers
Sheetmetal Workers
Shipfitters
Steamfitters
Tilesetters
Workers in Foundries, and Steel Mills
Besides the construction workers involved in new construction or working near new construction prior to the 1970's, workers today are at risk in the renovation of older buildings. Mechanical systems, piping, duct work and equipment, were assembled and sealed with asbestos products. Asbestos sprays were used for fireproofing and sound proofing of decking and structural steel. Walls, roofing, electrical wiring and flooring contained asbestos components through the 1970's and, in some cases, even later.
"Asbestos related diseases" is the phrase used in medicine for the damage, pain and suffering caused by inhaling these deadly, generally microscopic fibrous slivers of mineral. Exposure can cause two different types of illnesses: malignant diseases (cancers in organs which have come into contact with ingested asbestos); and non-malignant diseases (scarring processes of organs which have come into contact with ingested asbestos). Scar tissue is a protective mechanism of the body. Cells collect around these tiny foreign bodies and try to seal them off. Unfortunately, scar tissue cells do not have all the properties of normal healthy cells. As they increase, body function decreases. Lung scar tissue has no elasticity and becomes unable to exchange oxygen cells. It becomes increasingly difficult to take a breath. Pleural plaques usually begin as very small areas of scarring but can grow and harden over time.
Asbestosis: Sometimes called pleural asbestosis, asbestos-related pleural disease, pleural plaques, pleural thickening, or pulmonary asbestosis, this is one of the most common of the asbestos related diseases. Actually scarring of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. It is untreatable and incurable. It may progress to a more severe condition, depending on other health factors of the victim.
Atelectasis: Pleural scarring causing a portion of the lung to fold onto itself. Inhalation can become extremely painful.
Cancer of the respiratory or gastro-intestinal tract: Asbestos may come in contact with the esophagus, larynx, stomach, colon and rectum. Airborne asbestos particles may be inhaled through the nose and mouth.
Lung Cancer: The Risk of death from lung cancer (also known as bronchogenic carcinoma) caused by asbestos exposure is 50 to 90 times higher for smokers who were exposed to asbestos. Non-smoking victims of exposure to asbestos died at a rate of 5 times greater than the general population. All lung cancer cell types such as adenocarcinoma, bronchoalveolar, small cell, large cell, oat cell and squamous cell carcinoma, can be caused by asbestos.Malignant mesothelioma: Even low exposures to asbestos can lead to the development of malignant mesothelioma, an inoperable cancer of the chest and abdominal lining. Carcinogens (cancer causing agents) are normally shown to be more dangerous as length or dosage of exposure increases.
Lung cancer or cancers of the respiratory or gastro-intestinal tract may be asbestos-related regardless of whether a person is also diagnosed with asbestosis or asbestos-related pleural disease.
In the past, the standard diagnostic procedures for asbestos related disease was through x-rays. Today, we are fortunate to have two newer procedures: low-dose spiral computed tomography and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) - both of which are based on computer tomography (CT). that provide earlier detection. Earlier detection has increased not only survival rates, but also cure rates.
There are two things that you can do if exposed to asbestos.
Contact a physician to evaluate your risk of developing an asbestos-related disease, and to document your exposure to asbestos. Examination is painless. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can be fatal.
Contact a personal injury attorney who can counsel you in this complex legal situation. Your situation must be evaluated carefully in order to protect your rights fully. The law has established deadlines for filing claims or lawsuits for an asbestos-related disease. They are strict, and the clock begins ticking as soon as you are aware of the exposure. Several areas of personal injury law may apply to your case, such as:
Product Liability: Your exposure to asbestos may have been due to a faulty or defective product such as brake linings or asbestos lined gloves. Your asbestos attorney can evaluate your legal rights and advise you of possible compensation.
Professional Malpractice: Medical malpractice or negligence, leading to delay in treatment, incorrect treatment or missed diagnosis can be especially lethal in an asbestos related disease. Your lawyer can protect your rights and represent your interests.
Workers Compensation: Your asbestos exposure may have been job-related or happened on the job. Even though the company that you worked with when exposed to asbestos has filed for bankruptcy or has been bought by another company, you may still be entitled to compensation. Many of these laws are special federal laws relating to asbestos.
Wrongful death: Your family member may have died from an asbestos-related disease. Seek legal counsel before the statute of limitations becomes an issue.
Special Note: Prior to accepting an insurance settlement in a case of asbestos exposure or disease, it is wise to speak with a personal injury lawyer to evaluate your situation and to ensure that your interests are protected. Most personal injury attorneys provide free initial consultations and most will only be paid if you win your case and receive a judgment. Most often, personal injury attorneys will receive a percentage of the settlement awarded to you. Legal advice can save you time, trouble and money and can insure that you are treated fairly.

ASBESTOS LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Asbestos Legal Assistance - Asbestos Law Firm
Did you know? It is estimated that 27.5 million Americans were exposed to asbestos between 1940 and 1979. Welcome to the leading source on connecting you with mesothelioma lawyer help.
This site is dedicated to providing important information on asbestos & mesothelioma cancers. We help mesothelioma patients and families make educated decisions about how to proceed with filing asbestos and mesothelioma claims.
Those dealing with asbestos and mesothelioma face a number of challenges, including the tremendous costs of treatment. If you were unknowingly exposed to harmful levels of asbestos, you have legal rights and there is help available for you.
Asbestos Law Firm - Experience
Law firms that we work with concentrate only on asbestos mesothelioma cases. We have experience with placing people with experienced asbestos law firms for five years. We will actually walk you though the process of connecting you with an experienced asbestos mesothelioma law firm in your state.
We help asbestos and mesothelioma patients and their families get in touch with legal and medical professionals. We help keep the public aware of new discoveries in treatments for Mesothelioma and Asbestos cancers. We also maintain a current online Mesothelioma Dictionary of Legal & Medical Terms and we keep you up to date on current legal settlements for asbestos cases.
Asbestos Law Firm - Choices
Deciding which law firm to represent you and your case is very important. Choosing the right law firm will also be important to your settlement. You are entitled to an experienced mesothelioma law firm who has a track record of success in asbestos lawsuits
Asbestos Law Firm - Loss of A Loved OneIf you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestos mesothelioma, or a family member has died as a result, you may be entitled to recover compensation from the companies that made these asbestos products.
Asbestos Law Firm - Filing a Lawsuit
It is not uncommon for there to be 10-20 parties that are named in a asbestos lawsuit that are located across the United States. For example, a worker in California may have been exposed to asbestos from asbestos products shipped from Libby, Montana or from an iron ore plant in St. Paul Minnesota. This is why it is very important to obtain an experienced asbestos mesothelioma law firm that knows all of the companies in each state who have responsibility for your asbestos exposure.
New Asbestos Cases
It has been well documented for many years that asbestos exposure can result in the development of deadly cancers, particularly Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos. It is estimated that there will be about 250,000 cases of Mesothelioma before 2020.
There are currently about 3000 new cases of Mesothelioma diagnosed per year, mostly in men over the age of 40. About 4,000 People die from Mesothelioma every year, the rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. During the 20th century, some 30 million tons of asbestos were used in industrial sites, homes, schools, shipyards and commercial buildings in the U. S.
Through 2003, more than 700,000 People have filed claims against more than 6,000 Asbestos companies. These same companies knew of the dangers for many years before ever warning the public of those risks. It is thought that around eight million people in the United States have been exposed to asbestos over the past half a century, and many more cases - are expected to be reported in the next 25 years.
The National Institute of Health in 1978 estimated that eight to eleven million U.S. workers had been exposed to asbestos by that date. In fact, by 1970, it is estimated that some 25 million tons of asbestos were used in the U.S.
The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.
Mesothelioma is most common in the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos. There are funds available for asbestos victims.
What You Need Top Know About Asbestos
By 1970, it is estimated that some 25 million tons of asbestos were used in the U.S. A history of asbestos exposure in the workplace is reported in about 80 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Eight million people in the United States have been exposed to asbestos over the past half a century.
Studies estimate that approximately 3,000 different types of commercial products include asbestos.
The National Institute of Health in 1978 estimated that eight to eleven million U.S. workers had been exposed to asbestos by that date.
Through 2003, more than 700,000 People had filed claims against more than 6,000 Asbestos companies. Many building materials used in both public and domestic premises prior to the banning of asbestos may still contain asbestos. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. In 2005, 2.2 million tons of asbestos were mined worldwide. Russia was the largest producer with about 40% world share followed by China and Kazakhstan.The first documented death related to asbestos was in 1906. In the early 1900s researchers began to notice a large number of early deaths and lung problems in asbestos mining towns.
The term Mesothelioma was not used in medical literature until 1931, and was not associated with asbestos until sometime in the 1940s.Asbestos exposure becomes a health concern when high concentrations of asbestos fibers are inhaled over a long time periodAsbestos was used in the first 40 floors of the World Trade Center towers causing an airborne contamination among lower Manhattan after the towers collapsed in the attacks on September 11th, 2001
Inhaled asbestos fibers remain in the body and cannot be expelled. Because of this, the fibers can easily penetrate body tissues and may deposit themselves in airways and in the lung tissue.
It is estimated that 27.5 million Americans were exposed to asbestos between 1940 and 1979. Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years after the first exposure to asbestos. Many asbestos-containing products remain in buildings, ships, industrial facilities and other environments where the fibers can become airborne. Mesothelioma from asbestos occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age. Family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos related diseases. If you are a grieving family member or executor of the will of a person who has died from asbestos-related disease or mesothelioma, you may be eligible to file a claim as well.
Asbestos Lawsuit - Note of Urgency
The first known asbestos lawsuit was in 1929 in New Jersey. The first diagnosis of asbestosis was made in England in 1924. The first known US workers' compensation claim for asbestos disease was in 1927.Asbestos litigation is the longest, most expensive mass tort in U.S. history, involving more than 8,400 defendants and 730,000 claimants as of 2002 according to the RAND CorporationAnalysts have estimated that the total costs of asbestos litigation in the USA alone is over $250 billion.In 1999 recorded a whopping 200,000 cases pending in the Federal court system of the United States It is estimated that within the next 40 years asbestos cases may grow to seven hundred thousand cases. These numbers help explain how there are thousands of current pending cases.An experienced Asbestos Lawyer understands the unique complexities involved in this kind of litigation lawsuit, including asbestos product identification, specific asbestos-related medical issues, and specific time constraints that narrow the window of opportunity to file a claim. It's important to find the right Asbestos lawyer before your state's statutes of limitations expire, leaving you and your family grieving and empty-handed. There's no time to wait - contact our Asbestos lawyers today for a free case review.
It is not uncommon for there to be 10-20 parties that are named in an Asbestos lawsuit that are located across the United States. For example, a worker in California may have been exposed to asbestos from asbestos products shipped from Libby, Montana or from an iron ore plant in St. Paul Minnesota. This is why it is very important to obtain an experienced Asbestos lawyer knows all of the companies in each state who have responsibility for your asbestos exposure.

MATTERS OF THE HEART: Helping a Family Member with Heart Disease

When someone we love is hurting, it's only natural to want to help them in every way possible. If a family member is dealing with a cardiac disease, our ability to help can be hindered by a number of factors. But with a little effort, we can overcome these challenges and provide the right kind of support.
"When doctors send our patients home, we often assume that everything we say and suggest and prescribe is going to be followed up on," admits Dr. Cam Patterson, chief of cardiology at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill. "But there are all kinds of ways an excellent clinical plan can be derailed."

To keep that from happening, Patterson suggests that family members do the following:
1. Understand the illness. The most common obstacle is not having enough information on the condition. Start by consulting with the cardiologist about your role in rehabilitation and recovery. It's also a good idea to talk to your loved one about how much she or he is willing to share with you, and by gauging how well she or he understands the condition.
2. Manage medications and follow-up appointment. With new routines and medications, patients can get frustrated. This is where family members can be a huge help. Make sure you understand the purpose, dosage and side-effects of each medication, and that you are aware of all appointments for doctor visits and cardiac rehab sessions.
3. Participate in lifestyle changes. Most cardiac patients have to make significant changes in exercise and diet. Success rates skyrocket when a family member or friend participates. For instance, the American Heart Association reports that people are 76 percent more likely to stay on their walking program if someone else is counting on them.
4. Watch for emotional responses. It's not uncommon for cardiac patients to become depressed or go into denial. If your loved one becomes angry or withdrawn, or if you notice other major changes in his or her personality, talk about it together. And if you're really concerned talk to the cardiologist, nurses or any primary care provider. Even clergy members can help.
5. Get active. Activity levels will be limited for most patients, but it's important for family members to help them get on with their lives. Reintroduce your parent or spouse to what they do on a day to day basis, like going back to church or working on a hobby - the things that make life fulfilling.
And there's something you can do for yourself, too. Since heart disease has a genetic component, it's important for children and siblings to know their heart health status by making an appointment with a physician. For spouses, it's important to make sure you have your own support system -family, friends, clergy, support groups, etc. - to help you manage the emotions you may encounter in caring for a loved one. You can't help if you're not healthy yourself!
"It's important to realize that your family's going to have to make adjustments because of this severe illness, but you can't let it get in the way of being a family," Patterson says.
Patients with serious conditions like heart disease often feel alone or don't want to be burdens on their families. Following these steps can help you support your loved one on the road back to a full and meaningful life.
Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine