Mesothelioma Law Firms

Archive for April, 2010

I’m doing some research and have heard that it’s common for mesothelioma, in more advanced stages, to metastasize to the lungs. What symptoms does this cause for the patient?

Thank you in advance.
Whoops, I meant lymph nodes, not lungs. And I am aware what metastasis means, I’m just wondering what metastasis particularly to the lymph nodes would cause.

It’s a disastrous diagnosis – mesothelioma contracted from occupational exposure. It is well known that the symptoms of mesothelioma can appear years, even decades, after occupational exposure, and its effects can be life-changing at best, life-threatening at worst. As soon as you have found competent medical care for your mesothelioma, you should consider filing a mesothelioma lawsuit with an experienced attorney. But what does mesothelioma litigation entail? This article will answer some frequently asked questions about filing your mesothelioma lawsuit.

What does “occupational exposure” mean?

“Occupational exposure” means that you were exposed to the agent that caused your mesothelioma – usually the toxic mineral asbestos in its insulation and fireproofing forms – in the usual course of business. If you worked with asbestos and then contracted mesothelioma, even if it was years after the exposure, you experienced occupational exposure.

What does it mean to file a asbestos exposure litigation?

Litigation is a long and often confusing process. When you contact a lawyer about a potential mesothelioma claim, you will typically present your medical records and diagnosis for his assessment before he can tell you if you have a chance in court. If the lawyer determines that your case is sound and will probably recover some monetary compensation and damages, he will take on your case, usually with a retainer or fee agreement. Your attorney will file for a complaint and summons. The court will set a series of dates for discovery and trial and, if the case does not settle, both parties will begin to work towards building a case. Since mesothelioma is a disease, an Independent Medical Examiner (IME) will probably be involved in your case.

An IME conducts an unbiased medical investigation into your mesothelioma and examines your medical records. The other side will probably request your medical records, as well, in order to determine if you had a pre-existing condition or other medical problems that may relieve them of responsibility for your occupational mesothelioma. Usually a victim will be required to sign and release medical information as part of the case. Your attorney will advise you which documents to sign and which releases to give.

During the discovery process, your attorney may also consult with medical and other experts, who perform a variety of services such as document review and reports, medical examinations and detailed expert testimony on issues related to asbestos exposure, mesothelioma and employment.

If your case goes to trial, expect your lawyer to consult with other experts such as trial preparation specialists, who conduct mock trials and coordinate convincing exhibits, multimedia experts who can help present the evidence at trial in the most convincing manner, and witnesses who can bolster your own testimony in your mesothelioma trial. In an effort to avoid the cost and expense of a lengthy jury trial, many states require a mandatory settlement conference (MSC) or arbitration at which both parties sit down for a last-ditch attempt to resolve your complaints.

This could warrant compensation with a monetary sum. If a jury finds in your favor, you may be eligible for damages above and beyond just your medical treatment; pain and suffering, loss of employment, and other damages may apply.

Do Patients Win Mesothelioma Law Suits?

It can be scary to file a mesothelioma lawsuit, but the most important thing for an indivdual to remember that putting up a fight for the compensation you deserve. Often, employers knew of the health dangers of asbestos but did not warn their workers or enable them to work in safe conditions. This negligence, both willful and accidental, means that employers bear some responsibility for the health damages of asbestos exposure incurred during occupational work. Patients can and do win mesothelioma lawsuits, and many multi-million dollar payouts have been recorded for the victims of mesothelioma and their families. If you have mesothelioma, it is vital to contact an experienced and competent mesothelioma lawyer in order to recover your rightful compensation.

Happy consumer files claim, anyway
I thought I’d hit the jackpot the day I received a postcard informing me that I was a “Settlement Class Member,” and part of a joint Action Law Suit. What could this possibly mean? I hadn’t worked with asbestos and been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Read more on The Norwalk Citizen

Legal firms who specialize in personal injury and class action litigation spend millions of dollars each year on of advertising.  This can actually be a very prudent business decision, since defendants in such cases often pay from millions to tens of millions of dollars in either damages or settlements.  Since the law firm often receives thirty percent or more of the gross receipts, investing in advertising is a prudent business decision.

Television commercials are one popular type of advertising.  They are often targeted toward the late night or daytime audience, when airtime is cheaper than prime time.  Daytime TV is also attractive since people who are on sick leave and unable to work may be watching.  But television advertising is also very expensive, and with more and more channels and entertainment options, its appeal had declined.

However, the popularity of Internet advertising is on the rise.  More and more people are looking online when searching for everything from consumer product shopping to medical research.  In addition to its popularity, online advertising is highly cost effective.  Ads placed on websites that are specifically targeted toward asbestos-related lawsuits can be a great places for a mesothelioma law firm to advertise.

“Asbestos Lawyer List” is a directory website that is designed to help potential legal clients find an asbestos lawyer. It lists law firms by state and by major cities.  Law firms that specialize in asbestos-related cases can list their firm on the website for free.  The website already lists several firms for each state and major metropolitan area.

The website also has articles and other information related to asbestos, mesothelioma, and related topics. An additional benefit to the law firms listed is that posting a link to the firm’s website in their directory listing may also contribute to the search engine optimization of the firm’s website.

In addition to free advertising that’s gained by placing a listing in the asbestos attorney directory, firms may contact the website developer for information on how to purchase premium placement banner advertising.Learn about our services at www.URLhere.com.

Dr. Case describes the symptoms of mesothelioma that lead to a diagnosis, the types of procedures that are used, and what a patient can expect. This video series is sponsored by a site that offers a free DVD with all the segments. There is a distrubing image of a lung with mesothelioma.

www.kazanvideo.com Kazan Law is among the oldest, most dedicated Asbestos cancer Mesothelioma law firms. Our attorneys have been awarded for their experience and dedication in Asbestos litigation. If youve been exposed to Asbestos and fear a Mesothelioma risk, Kazans expert lawyers fight to get you Asbestos cancer Mesothelioma compensation. Visit www.kazanvideo.com or call 877.622.5246.

www.simmonsfirm.com – the mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons law firm have helped over 2000 families affected by mesothelioma & asbestos exposure and are dedicated to supporting the medical community in the search for a cure for mesothelioma. If you have questions about mesothelioma, please call us today at 877-304-MESO (6376).

www.kazanvideo.com Kazan Law is among the oldest, most dedicated Asbestosis Mesothelioma law firms. Our lawyers have represented Asbestosis patients all over in Mesothelioma law suits, and weve acted in Mesothelioma class action suits, getting all members compensation. Kazan is a pioneer in Asbestosis Mesothelioma litigation. Call 877.622.5246 or visit www.kazanvideo.com to learn more.

In this video, Dr. Case describes the differences between mesothelioma cancer and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos and is around the lung, while lung cancer is inside the lung. Shown with graphics.

Mesothelioma stages are categorized in the medical community for evaluative benefit for the physician, the medical institution, participation in clinical trials, and advancements in mesothelioma treatment options. Staging systems are used to define mesothelioma stages; however, mesothelioma stages are far more descriptive for pleural mesothelioma than for peritoneal mesothelioma or pericardial mesothelioma. Mesothelioma staging systems have changed over time. As medical knowledge increases, mesothelioma staging systems advance.

By sectioning a progressive disease into stages, doctors can evaluate mesothelioma treatment options that have been proven successful. By defining mesothelioma stages in a universal staging system, international mesothelioma life expectancy statistics can be gathered. When a staging system gains international acceptance, it contributes greatly to the advancement of mesothelioma treatment options. Grouping similar variables for evaluation is beneficial to developing mesothelioma treatment options for different mesothelioma stages.

In 1976 the Butchart staging system identified four mesothelioma stages for diffuse pleural malignant mesothelioma by location. At stage one, the tumor is in one side of the pleural lining. At stage two, the tumor is malignant and has entered both lungs, and has the potential to spread. In stage three of Butchart’s mesothelioma stages, the tumor has entered the peritoneum (abdomen region), and at stage four, the cancer has spread through the blood stream.

It was simple, thus gained acceptance. However, it fails to address crucial issues. Medical experts suggest it fails to make survival correlations with mesothelioma stages. The Butchart mesothelioma staging system in its originality is obsolete for mesothelioma life expectancy statistics, however other mesothelioma stages have been developed from it, and many cancer institutions modify it for their evaluative purposes.

In the 1980s Chahinian added detailed tumor stages, lymph node stages and metastases stages to the pleural mesothelioma staging system. This staging system is referred to as TNM and is used within elaborative staging systems. In 1990 the UICC (Union Internationale Contre le Cancer) expounded on Chahinian’s mesothelioma stages. The Butchart, Chahinian and UICC mesothelioma staging systems were based on specific institution experience.

In 1999 the Bingham Hospital introduced a pleural mesothelioma surgical staging system in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. The IMIG (International Mesothelioma Interest Group) in a 1995 Journal of Chest from the American College of Chest Physicians proposed international acceptance for a detailed universal staging system. This staging system demands precise tumor location, and is based on TNM and the International Lung Cancer Staging System.

Medical institutions will use the mesothelioma stages and staging system practical for their internal evaluative purposes. But the mesothelioma patient should be aware when discussing mesothelioma life expectancy and prognosis that mesothelioma staging systems differ, and staging systems still undergo scrutiny. No staging system includes all variables for treatment and prognosis. Factors such as tumor subtypes can make a significant difference in prognosis.

In its basic form, mesothelioma has two stages – localized and advanced. In most staging systems, localized mesothelioma is considered stage one. Stages two through four are advanced mesothelioma stages. Mesothelioma stages are generally defined by location, the severity of the tumor, or surgical needs. The stages of mesothelioma are dependent on the staging system used.

Mesothelioma stages are important considerations in treatment and prognosis. An accepted universal mesothelioma staging system can expedite medical research to find effective mesothelioma treatment options. Advances in clinical research will continue to contribute to the development of defining mesothelioma stages until precise correlations can be made. Until then, staging systems are a universal answer to evaluating mesothelioma treatment.