Malignant mesothelioma is a severe and potentially fatal disease often caused by working in specific jobs. This often deadly disease can take decades to progress and finally appear in its victims. Once it manifests fully, mesothelioma victims usually have a relatively short life expectancy. If you or a loved has gotten received a mesothelioma diagnosis, talk to a personal injury attorney immediately.
What is Mesothelioma?
Here are some important things you need to know about mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a cancerous (malignant) tumor caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. It is most commonly seen in the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Mesothelioma is often hard to diagnose because it can take several decades for problems or symptoms to develop and manifest. When symptoms do finally appear, they are often similar to symptoms that could occur with less severe issues like the common cold or minor breathing problems.
Some of the symptoms of mesothelioma include;
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the chest or stomach
- Muscle weakness
Mesothelioma is diagnosed through imaging tests, such as CT scans or x-rays. Once the tumor is revealed through imaging, a biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis.
Who Is at Risk for Developing Mesothelioma?
As mentioned above, inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to mesothelioma. Therefore, any worker who is around asbestos or deals with asbestos can be harmed. In decades past, people thought it was safe. However, now the medical community understands that people in specific professions are most at risk for developing this type of cancer. This can include:
- Factory worker
- Construction workers
- Shipbuilders
- Insulation manufacturers
- Gas manufacturers
- Railroad workers
- Miners
Sadly, people who worked around asbestos are not the only people at risk of developing it. Family members who washed the asbestos off workers’ clothing or people who did renovations and inhaled asbestos can also contract the disease.
Why Should I Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney About My Mesothelioma?
If you or a loved one has a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you are well-advised to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you talk to a personal injury attorney right away, you can find out whether you have a valid case and learn how to move forward. You would do well to do it quickly, as you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after your mesothelioma is diagnosed.
If you fail to bring your mesothelioma claim forward promptly, you can lose your right to the compensation you deserve. Payment awarded through a monetary settlement can help to pay for treatment, medications, lost wages, travel expenses related to treatment, and pain and suffering. An experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can fight fiercely and aggressively to help you recover the money that you deserve for your harm.
You should probably not attempt to file mesothelioma personal injury case on your own. Doing so comes with significant challenges, including knowing who to bring the case against. In many circumstances, the employer or corporation who subjected you to asbestos exposure should be held accountable. Finding that company and who exactly to sue often proves difficult for many victims, especially when it is years later. A personal injury attorney can help you with this and every other aspect of your claim.