Asbestosis, Mesothelioma and the Law

Court Decisions that Protect and Compensate Asbestos Workers

Asbestos is a dangerous substance that causes the debilitating disease of asbestosis, and the fatal cancer, mesothelioma. Asbestos workers are exposed to scarring asbestos fibers in excessive amounts on a daily basis. Employers who ignore the dangers won’t be ignored by the courts.

Asbestosis and mesothelioma affects asbestos workers around the world. National and international lawyers and judges are making room on their desks for voluminous stacks of medical records that are entered as evidence in mass litigation proceedings for asbestos workers who were unaware, and unprotected, from the dangers of inconspicuous deadly asbestos fibers. Employers have the responsibility to protect the safety and health of the employees, and in today’s modern societies, it is legally mandatory for employers to protect their employees from danger. Company fines and business closures can result for those companies that put profit over people, and so can litigation resulting in millions of dollars of compensation paid to injured workers.

Asbestos workers have joined together to set precedent court decisions in asbestos cases that will facilitate faster trial decisions and undermine confusion in the interpretations of the occupational laws.

Many workers, however, do not receive just compensation. Lack of medical records, multiple possible causes of lung disease, unawareness of the right to legal compensation, or the lack of legal representation, prevents many asbestos workers from receiving their just compensation for asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Although workers compensation cases have been recognized in the courts since the 1920s, the first US trial against an asbestos product wasn’t held until 1966 by plaintiff Claude Tomplait. The case lasted three years, and the decision was made on behalf of the defendant. In 1969, Claude’s lawyer then represented Clarence Borel, a co-worker of Claude’s, against the same defendant. This case lasted four years, and in 1973, a historical landmark decision was made on behalf of the plaintiff, Clarence Borel (Borel v. Fibreboard Paper Prods. Corp., 493 F.2d 1076 (5th Cir. 1973). It was officially deemed that not only must manufacturers must warn consumers of danger, but they are responsible for staying informed with regard to scientific discoveries that have an impact on their products. If a manufacturer fails to do so, they will be liable for physical harm. Since 1973, there have been well over 100,000 asbestos cases filed in US courts. Asbestos cases are currently the longest mass tort in US Court history. In 1982, court opinion in Beshada (Beshada v. Johns-Manville Products Corp., 442 A.2d 539 (N.J. 1982)), humanely stated, “the burden of illness…should fall on those who profit from its production…”, throwing out a “state of business practices at the time” defense that defendant asbestos companies were praying upon for relief.

Around the world, the deadly consequences of working with asbestos is gaining increased recognition, and asbestos workers are gaining increased support in their court bids for compensation of asbestosis and mesothelioma. In 1989, Australia established the Dust Diseases Tribunal for asbestos cases, and in 1991, Australia banned asbestos. In 2005, the European Union followed with their own ban on asbestos. In the UK, a compensation fund for asbestos workers diagnosed with mesothelioma has been established within the Department of Societal Development. This fund disperses payment to mesothelioma patients within a week of the diagnosis of mesothelioma and reduces the risk of a mesothelioma patient dying before receiving a settlement (which frequently happens with lengthy civil trials).

Asbestosis and mesothelioma patients suffering from incurable and fatally progressive diseases due to employer negligence and manufacturer’s disregard for danger are due compensation for their pain, and employers are beginning to pay. Sadly, employers have to pay with their bank accounts, but asbestos workers have to pay with their life.

Reference: Lina Smith

Steady....

Back to hospital today to talk to the doctor and cancer nurse Alana about taking part in the clinical trial of Velcade. More tests and measurements (bloods, weight, ECG, temp, BP, CT scan and X ray - I think that was the lot) to check that Steve is a suitable candidate for the trial, and yet another wait of several days to get the test results back which will give the green light for treatment to start, or not, as the case may be.

Steve has a little red book setting out the main side effects/symptoms to look out for, when/how to contact the doctor if any go into the red/danger zone, and how to minimize the risk of infection once the treatment starts (as his immune system will be weakened by the chemo).

On the way home from hospital, I went to the chemist to stock up on a couple of essentials: an “in-ear” thermometer to check if he develops a fever; alcohol-free mouth wash to help reduce the risk of mouth ulcers and a soft toothbrush, to minimize gum damage when he cleans his teeth. He’ll have to give up his live yogurt for the time being, but can drink alcohol if he feels like it. Oh, and dentists visits are out for the duration - there had to be a sliver lining somewhere!

If he’s accepted on the trial, he’ll start next week with a double dose of cisplatin and velcade the day after the last radiotherapy session, followed by velcade only next Friday, then two more velcade sessions the week after, followed by a week’s “rest”. The second 21 day cycle is due to start on 28 July, with a similar pattern of one double dose of drugs, followed by three single doses. At the end of the second cycle, there are more tests and CT scans to assess the effects of the treatment. If it’s positive and Steve is managing any side effects without too much of a problem, the chemo treatment continues for four more cycles. By my reckoning, the last dose of Velcade is due to be given on 30 October and end of the final cycle of treatment would be 9 November.

The potential side effects do not make particularly pleasant reading, but there are ways to help deal with the most common problems. Even so, it’s a bit unnerving to think that the chemo may make him feel rotten, bearing in mind that he feels OK at present.

We find ourselves being pulled in opposite directions - on the one hand, Steve was getting frustrated by the time it has taken to get everything in place to start treatment which felt like an age even though it will begin within three weeks of diagnosis, which is actually very fast. On the other hand, now it’s about to start, we are both feeling apprehensive about what effect the treatment will have on him, both in terms of unpleasant, potentially life-threatening side effects and the long term outcome - will it really slow down the growth of the cancer cells, prolong life expectancy and improve quality of life? If it does, then it will be worth it.

Until it begins, we have no idea of how Steve will react. The frequency of hospital visits also makes it difficult (but not impossible) to fit in trips away from home, assuming he feels up to it, so we’re still unable to make firm plans to do anything much, apart from putting treatment days on the calendar and taking it as it comes.

And it starts tomorrow - watch this space…..

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Information

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the peritoneum of the human abdominal cavity. Hence, this medical condition is also called as abdominal mesothelioma.

But before seeing more about peritoneal mesothelioma, let us first take a look at the classifications and functions of the peritoneum membrane.

Peritoneum is classified into visceral and parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum envelops the abdominal organs and forms the periphery of the intestinal tract. On the other hand, parietal peritoneum covers the abdominal cavity. The purpose
of these layers is to protect the internal organs and to secrete a lubricating fluid that eases the movement of internal organs in the abdominal cavity.

Causes of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Even though not a definitive explanation, it is widely considered that asbestos is the main cause for peritoneal mesothelioma. According to medical experts, in two ways asbestos dust could reach the intestine lining one through involuntary ingestion during working long hours and days amid asbestos, and secondly, through the lungs while breathing and hence along the lymph nodes to the peritoneal cavity. Either way, it is injurious to the human body, and may invariably lead to this cancerous condition if exposed to for a longer period of time.

Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma, like the other forms of mesothelioma, shows a very long latency period and it wont be until 20-30 years since the asbestos-exposure days before any typical symptoms becomes apparent. But by then it will be too late to check the disease or provide any constructive medication or treatment. Further, a delay in diagnosing the disease can happen due to the fact that most of the symptoms of mesothelioma is not-specific and may resemble that of some other common and less serious diseases. For example, the common mesothelioma symptoms include anemia, fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, and bowel obstruction, and it is highly likely that the doctor initially may consider other options than contemplating cancer.
Therefore, the patient telling the doctor about any previous asbestos exposure in the first one-to-one interaction itself is very crucial, and that helps the doctor to think of a possible mesothelioma threat even before considering other
possibilities.

Treatments

Once the disease has been diagnosed, the doctor recommends the treatments based on several factors such as the extent of the damage, age and medical history of the person and overall health. The traditional treatments for mesothelioma include surgery if the tumor has spread out and is beyond radiation-curable radiation therapy (external and internal radiation),and
chemotherapy, which includes using a pill or needle to insert anti-carcinogen drugs into the body.

With the advancement in science and technology, newer treatment techniques have been introduced, and some of it is looking promising as well.

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is one such newer method that uses special drugs and light to destroy cancer cells. This method is used to study the earlier phases of mesothelioma in the chest.

Further, Immunotherapy is a way of boosting the immunity of ones own body against the spread of cancer. Also, recently, researches have found that Gene Therapy is effective in correcting the faulty genes causing mesothelioma. But these two methods are still in the clinical trials and are yet to be implemented in hospitals.

Even though a wide range of treatments are available for mesothelioma, clinical experiences reveals that none of this alone is capable of checking the disease effectively.

Reference: Christain Louis

Ready......

If you have ever been on a Log Flume at a theme park, you’ll have some idea of how we are feeling at present. The last two weeks have felt like the long, slow haul up the slope, when you become increasingly aware of how far up it is, you know that there’s no escape, and you feel excited and scared in turn at the prospect of what awaits you.

Today we reached the top of the slope, and have leveled out for a few moments to allow preparations to be finalized and the treatment programme put in place, before it’s all systems go.

The pneumococcal jab this morning should help Steve fend off the worst chest infections he is likely to encounter over the summer. There will be a winter flu jab with his name on it waiting for him when the chemotherapy course is over later in the year.

He spent some time in the “simulator room” at the hospital this afternoon, not pretending to fly planes but getting used to lying down the hard, narrow bench so that he knows what it will feel like when the radiotherapy starts later in the week. He’s been measured up for zapping using circular plastic templates to focus the electrons on the vulnerable “port” areas where the chest drain and thoracosopy camera were inserted, and now has a little abstract design on the side of his chest in ink, which will wash or rub off soon. No mask as such (pity - that would have made a good photo and a talking point at halloween parties).

We even have a pass to allow us to park the car for free on the three return visits for treatment on Wednesday and Friday this week, and on Monday next week.

Preparation for Phase 1 is now complete and ready to go.

Back to the hospital again tomorrow to prepare for the Phase 2 chemotherapy treatment which will follow on. More on that soon…..

Treatment Options for Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is directly linked to asbestos exposure. By the time this cancer is diagnosed the disease is usually well advanced. Signs and symptoms may not appear until 20 to 60 years after being exposed to asbestos. If diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is imperative to become informed about the different forms of mesothelioma treatment due to the aggressive form of this disease.

Mesothelioma attacks the mesothelium or the protective lining that covers and protects many of the body’s internal organs. One form of this deadly cancer is peritoneal mesothelioma. It invades the peritoneum or the membranous lining that houses the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas and intestines.

Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for less than a quarter of all Mesothelioma cases. It is the second most common form of mesothelioma after pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include, but are not limited to, abdominal pain, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal swelling and bowel obstruction.

In order for proper mesothelioma treatment to begin, several factors must first be taken into consideration. Details such as the extent of the cancer, the patient’s overall health, past medical history and age, should be evaluated. These details need to be taken into account to determine the best mesothelioma treatment for an individual diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.

The most common forms of treatment for an individual diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and palliative therapies. Surgery may be performed to remove part of the lining and tissue from the abdomen, depending on the advancement of the cancer and the size and location of the tumor(s).

Another form of mesothelioma treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma is radiation therapy. Immense energy x-rays are used for the purpose of shrinking tumors. Radiation can be administered either externally or internally. Externally, a machine is placed outside the body to emit radiation to the source of the cancer. A source of radiation can also be internally placed on the affected area in the hope of destroying cancerous tissue.

Chemotherapy is another type of mesothelioma treatment used to combat Peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of treatment uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. These can be given either in tablet form or intravenously. The chemotherapy drugs enter the blood stream and kill off cancerous cells as it makes its way through the body.

Palliative therapy is also used as a form of mesothelioma treatment. Ascites, or fluid accumulation, often takes place in the abdomen when an individual suffers from peritoneal mesothelioma. To relieve pressure and to make the patient more comfortable fluid is extracted by use of needles and suction.

Once your diagnosis is confirmed and you have begun treatment, it is imperative that you seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in asbestos-related illness. If a past employer negligently exposed you to asbestos, you are most likely to be entitled to a monetary award to cover your medical bills, your pain and suffering, and even punitive damages against a negligent employer. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to treat; you can rely on your attorney to act in your best interests.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is attributed to asbestos exposure. If diagnosed, it is imperative to be informed of all treatment options. As more research is performed in the area of mesothelioma treatment, other ways to combat this deadly disease will become available

Reference: Nick Johnson.

Tomorrow

Another family get-together today, this time in Bristol to visit Steve’s mum who has a birthday coming up next week. She had already been told about the mesothelioma diagnosis by Steve’s brother last weekend.  This was the first time we had seen her face to face since then.  I think she was relieved to see Steve looking his “normal” self - well and apparently healthy - and to hear about the treatment plan, even though it stirred up some painful memories.  

Steve’s not the first in his family to have the disease; his dad died as a result mesothelioma in the early 90s, probably due to exposure to asbestos when he worked in the ship-building industry, before Steve was born.  His mum therefore knows what to expect at some point in the future.  However, unlike Steve, my father-in-law had been diagnosed with mesothelioma too late for treatment to be worthwhile.  At least Steve has a fighting chance of living longer with a better quality of life.  

Which brings me to tomorrow, the day when preparations begin to put the treatment plan into action, starting with a visit to the GP for a pneumococcal jab to help him fight any chest infections that come our way in the next few months and finishing up at hospital with the radiotherapy people.  To find out what happens there, you’ll have to come back tomorrow…..

The Second Most Common Form of Mesothelioma: Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly disease which in most cases is preventable. It is precisely this preventability that has raised the visibility of this disease. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is a good idea to acquire the assistance of a mesothelioma lawyer or attorney to discuss the feasibility of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit as you may be eligible to receive a mesothelioma settlement. Also, if someone you know has mesothelioma or has died of the disease, talk with them or their family and recommend that they follow-up with a mesothelioma lawyer.

Within the family of asbestos related diseases called mesothelioma, there is a particular form of cancer which attacks the abdominal lining known as peritoneal mesothelioma. The cause of peritoneal mesothelioma has been identified as exposure to asbestos and asbestos products. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen called the peritoneal and because of this, when an individual is diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, they may also have medical issues related to other organs surrounding the abdomen as well.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the body’s ability to protect the organs in this region by compromising the ability to keep the organs lubricated which enables them shift around and function appropriately. If you research peritoneal mesothelioma, you will discover that it can also be described as diffuse peritoneal mesothelioma. When you hear this term it simply means that the cancer has left the peritoneal lining of the abdomen and has affected other organs nearby. Peritoneal mesothelioma is credited to be the cause of almost ten percent of all mesothelioma cases and, because of this, it ranks second as the most common form of asbestos related mesothelioma.

The most common form is called pleural mesothelioma.
The greatest problem with any form of mesothelioma is that it is infamous for having a long incubation or latency. During this period it is in the body growing unbeknownst to the individual and not affecting health and functioning.

More often than not, peritoneal mesothelioma cells lie dormant for years before they become active and create obvious symptoms. When symptoms do appear it regrettably indicates that the disease has advanced to a late stage. In most cases the delay in the appearance of symptoms and subsequent diagnosis of the disease adversely affects the prospects for the individual.

One reason for the late diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma has been given to the fact that the first or earliest symptoms of the disease are so similar to other less traumatic diseases and ailments that an individual spends a great deal of time being treated for the wrong ailment. It is a general approach for all medical situations to rule out the less virulent causes of an illness before jumping to the conclusion that a more serious situation is present.

So a physician most likely will take the approach to rule out more common reasons for symptoms and only when these don’t pan out will he begin considering more serious roots for the illness. When this stage of diagnosing is reached, a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma will be considered.

Mesothelioma is rare, even though it may not feel that way if you or a loved one has been stricken by it. It is exactly this rareness that makes it a diagnosis made by ruling our more common potential illnesses. If the physician takes a comprehensive medical history and discovers an individual has worked in an occupation where they have likely been around or exposed to asbestos or related products, he will know to investigate meosthelioma as a potential cause of the illness. If an individual is aware that they have worked around asbestos, it is a good idea to bring this information up with a physician as soon as there is an illness where the cause is not known.

It is well known that all cancers, as well as other illnesses, present with a variety of symptoms that may be peculiar to that disease and/or to many other diseases. Generally speaking, though someone suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma will complain of abdominal pain, they will become frail or weak, have a loss in weight, be nauseated and vomit, have a loss of appetite, exhibit swelling of the abdomen and may have an obstruction in the bowel.

Because peritoneal mesothelioma spreads to adjoining organs, symptoms other than abdominal may be exhibited such as difficulty breathing and extreme pain.

Contact a mesothelioma attorney if you have mesothelioma.

Reference: Nick Johnson

Peritoneal Mesothelioma– are You Informed?

The protective lining that covers internal organs of the body is very important. It acts as the ‘skin’ that keeps the organs protected from unwanted infiltration, excess acids and other hazards. This layer is called the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a very sensitive layer, but also very strong. The mesothelium develops from the embryonic stages of man, and is used to line up the important body cavities in order that they may produce fluids that between the cells provide a slippery protection and fluid transport between the wall muscles.

In this case, the mesothelium layer is very important in the facilitation of proper lubrication and functions of body parts such as the lungs. Here they play an important role to ensure both the protection of the lung from collapse, and the proper maintenance of fluidity on the surfaces.

So, if the mesothelium is so important, what is the effect of disease on it? The answer comes short and shocking, if disease ravages the mesothelium, what you get is a weakened protective layer, which will lead to malfunction of the vital important cavities and organs.

Mesothelioma

This is a form of cancer. It is caused, unlike lung cancer, by extensive exposure to asbestos. Asbestos, is a stone that has both strength and its particles can be extremely harmful to the body. With exposure to asbestos for a period of time, the body is faced with the advent of Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma cancer is a type that causes the mesothelium to swell with fluid around the organs it is supposed to be protecting.

There are several kinds of mesothelioma including Pleura, which is the swelling that takes place mostly around the lungs, and the inner small intestines. This will cause a lot of discomfort in breathing. There is also the Peritoneal Mesothelioma which attacks the lower abdomen, and tunica vaginalis.

All these types of mesothelioma must be detected and be taken care of in early stages, but the cancer itself is full of tricks, it has an incubation period of over twenty years, and may affect one fifteen to twenty years since exposure to asbestos particles and fibers. This is a subject of study and scientists are working on methods of detecting the cancer before it can cause a lot of damage.

Do you know where to find Help?

It is often important that if you have been working with asbestos, though many countries are trying to remove the use of asbestos and find a material with its same quality and much more safety, you should immediately begin visiting the doctor for regular CT scans to establish any abnormal growth in your body. This will enable the doctor concentrate on the right detection and be prepared to administer the right kind of relief. Or you may fall to dreaded malignant mesothelioma.

There are many societies and organizations in around the world dealing with advice and care of Mesothelioma cancer. Be prudent and find out in time, if you can gather as much information as you can. This helps you to make take care of yourself in the right way and to be sensitive to your body changes.

The law also has protected you and you should find out what the law says about this cancer.

Reference: http://www.health-niche.com/

One in ten / I'm a survivor

Search on mesothelioma survival rates and you will find a huge variation in life expectancy depending on which website you visit, from 4 months - 5 years.  About 40% of mesothelioma victims live for at least a year after diagnosis, whilst 10% survive at least five years.  A few people live significantly longer.  Survival rates are much better than 20 years ago and have continued to improve over the last five years. People who choose take part in clinical trials tend to survive longer.  

I said in an earlier post that Steve’s prognosis is uncertain due to the many variables involved and the crudity of applying such data to individuals.  However, we now know that Leo is living just in one lung.  Steve’s age, otherwise generally good health (when was the last time you 60-somethings ran 3-5km?) and the fact that he stopped smoking over 20 years ago all weigh in his favour.  Plus (we hope) he’ll be taking part in a clinical trial.  This suggests that he has a good chance to number amongst the one in ten who live for at least five years post-diagnosis.  

Leo - you’d better watch out.  Steve’s a fighter. He’ll take you on one day at a time and he’s got a great team supporting him.

California Mesothelioma Lawsuits, Mesothelioma Claims and Insurance Companies

Insurance companies don’t like to pay for things, and if there is any way around their obligation to foot the bill, they will. That is how they stay in business. They need to have a large percentage of money coming in and a very small percentage going out. Insurance adjustors are not humanitarians, they are business people. California mesothelioma claims are a huge liability in the eyes of the insurance companies.

California mesothelioma lawsuits run the risk of drying up the insurance companies limited resources. Juries are willing to award victims of Mesothelioma and their families large amounts of money based on the company’s previous knowledge of the asbestos exposure, which is the sole proven cause for it.

Nearly all California mesothelioma lawsuits are filed by people who have held laborious positions all their life, including factory workers, those in the automotive industry, demolition crews, and construction crews. These men and women worked hard every day of their lives and in so many cases the company was well aware of the asbestos risks and did little or nothing to inform or protect their employees.

It’s just another example of the wealthy taking advantage of the average. Juries listen to testimony and more often than not are willing to award excessive sums of money to the victims of Mesothelioma. Insurance companies are then forced to pay the claims, only in much higher amounts than would have been necessary had they simply paid the initial claim.

Insurance companies have much more stringent requirements than juries. Insurance companies have the right to initially deny claims until they are forced to pay. Juries are asked to form opinions based solely on reasonable doubt and presented evidence. Juries are fallible. Juries come with their own thoughts and feelings and experiences that create the filters in which they hear evidence being presented.

A jury reviewing a Mesothelioma case that is comprised of upper echelon and society’s elite is likely to award nominal sums for cases than a jury comprised of laborers, artists, and retirees reviewing the same Mesothelioma case.

Mesothelioma has had enough press that most people recognize that it is caused by asbestos and typically can only be ignored by the people who hold a position of power. Asbestos laws are not stringent enough to prevent future cases of Mesothelioma. People with annual income of less than $75,000 are more likely to identify with victims than those with annual incomes over $100,000. Those who fall in between are likely to hear the case for what it is.

The insurance companies aren’t willing to place their financial future in the hands of juries quite so readily any longer, and legislation is continually making it more difficult for hard working middle to lower class people to present their Mesothelioma cases in court.

More often than not, insurance companies have various rules in place that protect them. Speaking to a California mesothelioma lawyer immediately after diagnosis even if you have not yet decided to file a lawsuit is recommended. Should you choose to file, the lawyer has already advised you of the basic requirements necessary to continue with the filing of the Mesothelioma lawsuit.

Without this information, it is possible to make an innocent mistake that can cost you the right to your benefits. The insurance company is willing to work very hard to deny you the basic coverage under asbestos related laws, it only make sense to respond with someone working hard on your side to protect your rights against insurance company regulations. It is not a disease that can be contracted by a poor diet or unhealthy habits. Mesothelioma has been proven to be caused only by prolonged exposure to asbestos.

Whether you are not receiving fair benefits or treatment from your insurance company in regards to your Mesothelioma or not, you may be able to file a lawsuit. It is possible that you are entitled to many benefits that you are unaware of. Unfortunately, it is a crippling and terminal disease.

Often in these cases there are more benefits available to the victim within their rights provided by the law than they are aware of, and it is not likely that the insurance company is going to make the offer. A qualified California mesothelioma lawyer can fully explain the benefits available to you and your family in a much more user friendly fashion than even the best insurance company.

Reference: Nick Johnson

No longer in denial

He’s been in denial since March 2007, but today Steve faced up to the fact that he is now a “senior citizen”.  He walked into town, claimed his concessionary bus pass, was pleased with the photo on it (better than his last passport picture, he says) then promptly walked all the way home again carrying a heavy backpack, rather than take a free bus ride.  Best walk he’s had in ages.  He’s feeling good, in spite of the grey skies.  

The Truth About California Mesothelioma Settlements And Awards

Understanding what a Mesothelioma diagnosis means takes much longer than the brief time your doctor spent with you as they broke the news to you that you were suffering from it. Understanding a diagnosis and what to do and how to react will take some time.

Unfortunately, it is fatal in all but a few rare cases. It can be detected in three various parts of the body, and those three areas have their own specific name for Mesothelioma. Pericardial Mesothelioma strikes the heart’s mesothlium. Peritoneal Mesothelioma strikes the abdominal protective lining, or mesothlium. The most common form of it is known as Pleural Mesothelioma and is known to attack the lung’s mesothelium. It is a drastic and aggressive cancer that is only known to be caused by the inhalation and ingestion of asbestos.

Post diagnosis of Mesothelioma creates many questions, and some of the answers to those questions can be answered through self research, but not everything you read on the internet is true, so it is recommended that a newly diagnosed victim consult with two specialists, a Mesothelioma doctor and then a Mesothelioma lawyer.

A doctor can guide you through your treatment options and help you decide what is best for you in the face of it. A lawyer can assist in helping you to understand your rights as a victim of it.

There will be many changes in your life after the diagnosis of Mesothelioma. Just like all victims of deadly diseases, victims feel the need to make intelligent choices with how they handle their physical, emotional, and financial health as their progresses.

Hiring a California mesothelioma lawyer can eventually mean the difference between being able to pay for top of the line treatment and winding up with a physician who has never seen a case of it before. While not every case can be brought to the center of a courtroom, many cases are the result of obvious and blatant disregard for human health and life that victims are able to win large sums of money to help cover the costs of expensive victims, pay for private nursing that help the families of Mesothelioma victims, and assist families from having to declare bankruptcy after the death of their loved one.

California mesothelioma settlements and awards can never truly compensate for the pain and suffering of a victim, nor can they ever even come close to compensating for the loss of a family member to Mesothelioma, but they can at least help to provide the best care possible and ease the transition that occurs between life, illness, and death. Mesothelioma is a journey, and it is a difficult and painful journey. Though the percentage is very low, there have been survivors of it.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, and thus it has not received the research attention that other forms of cancer have received. It is a cancer that is resistant to conventional forms of treatment, although conventional forms of treatment are really the only available treatment options.

Victims of Mesothelioma have reported feeling that there time was well spent after filing a lawsuit, hoping that their journey could help spare lives from it in the future. Even if the only way to effectively do so is to bankrupt the companies responsible one by one. This may or may not be an accurate statement, but who can discount the feelings of a victim? Only a victim of it can really determine how their time that they are left with will be well spent.

It is very unfortunate that the only true recourse for justice victims have is the filing of a lawsuit. Many family members or friends of Mesothelioma victims feel that the truer justice for victims would be compensation and jail time for those who decided that it was not a significant enough risk to protect their employees from asbestos exposure.

Regardless of personal feelings that Mesothelioma victims, their families and friends assert, there is not always a cut and dry case waiting for them. There have been changes to current legislation which may very well prevent the majority of lawsuits from being filed in the future. It is vital to file a lawsuit as early as possible after diagnosis. Victims need not lose hope. There are always new advancements in technology and medicine that may eventually prevail in finding a treatment aggressive enough to send a much higher percentage of California mesothelioma cases into remission.

Reference: Nick Johnson

Upfront and open or silent and secret?

When we first heard that Steve had mesolthelioma, we had to make the first of many big decisions - whether to be upfront, open and tell people about it, or keep it a secret and stay silent.  There is no right answer.  It’s down to the individual.  

We knew that the diagnosis would have a radical impact on our lives and that sooner or later, people who knew us would work out that something was wrong. Steve decided to tell the family as soon as possible, preferably face-to-face, or if that was not possible, to break it to them by talking on the phone.  I think I can honestly say that telling our nearest and dearest was one of the most difficult things we have ever had to do.  

A few close friends also found out soon after simply because they happened to get in touch with us or visit by chance around the same time.  Telling the news to these people was nearly as difficult as breaking it to the family.  They were the ones who bore the brunt of our emotions, without first having had the opportunity to come to terms with the news themselves.  

My work colleagues were the next to know - you can’t just disappear for the best part of three months without an explanation.  I choked trying to talk to people, but found it a little easier to put things in writing, which is when I started this blog.

Once we had some idea of what we were facing, Steve decided to spread the word to our other friends electronically, mixing the bad news with more positive things and letting people know about this blog so that they could find out more and keep up-to-date with news - or not - as they wished.  

Today, we met several of those friends face-to-face for the first time since spreading the word more widely.  Although they had been shocked by the e-mail, it had broken the ice.  There were no embarrassing moments wondering how to reply to the question “how are you?” or how to respond to an unexpected answer. Just hugs and kisses, an arm round the shoulder or a firm handshake, depending on the individual, and a genuine warmth and concern about this cruel twist of fate, before moving on to/catching up with other news.  Which is the way we wanted it. Thank you.

And thanks to Edith for inviting us to the retirement tea party and for the delicious cakes.  Many happy returns for next week!  It was lovely to see so many old and not-so-old friends, albeit for a short space of time.  Here’s to more such occasions!

Trail Blazer

It seems like an age since Monday (although its only four days) but at long last we have received details of the drug trial Steve has been offered. 

Velcade (Bortezomib) is a biological therapy for treating cancer which works by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.  

This is an extract from the cancerbackup website which explains how it works:

Proteosomes are a group of enzymes found in all cells in the body. They have an important role in controlling cell function and growth. By interfering with how proteosomes work, Velcade may cause cancer cells to die and may stop the cancer from growing. Cancer cells are more sensitive to the effects of Velcade than normal cells.

Up to now, Velcade has been mainly used to treat myeloma - a cancer which affects the bone marrow’s ability to produce normal white and red blood cells and blood platelets.  Due to its success in targeting myeloma cells, researchers are looking at how effective it is when used to treat other types of cancer - which is where Steve comes in…

Like all drugs, Velcade has side effects.  However, it seems to us that taking a drug which specifically targets cancer cells in this way is worth a shot.  So that’s the plan.  

We’ve yet to see the treatment programme, but when that’s available we hope to be in a position to sort out our social/travel/ activity arrangements around it.  Will keep you posted!

Mesothelioma And Getting Legal Representation

Filing a Mesothelioma lawsuit can be a long and arduous road. Most of your energy needs to go to focusing on your health, and the simple thought of going after a Mesothelioma settlement is simply too taxing and exhausting. Many people suffering the ill effects of asbestos feel this way, and often turn their back on the opportunity to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit. While the fatigue and the pain of dealing every day with an asbestos related illness is quite legitimate, there are many reasons why you should consider following through with a Mesothelioma lawsuit.

Many people who suffer from the ill effects of asbestos may or may not find themselves protected under worker’s compensation laws, and often the illness becomes too great and consuming to continue to be able to provide an income. Without the protection of a good Mesothelioma lawyer, your rights and protection may disappear right before your eyes.

Competent and qualified Mesothelioma lawyers have handled many cases concerning asbestos related illnesses and they understand how much of your life has already been robbed by this cruel disease. While no Mesothelioma lawyer can do the entire job by themselves, there is no reason to believe that they won’t do everything they can to make the process of attaining a Mesothelioma settlement as painless and comfortable for you as possible.

Winning a Mesothelioma lawsuit and being granted a Mesothelioma settlement can take a tremendous burden from your tired shoulders, and of course, create a better future for you and your family. A Mesothelioma settlement can allow you to focus entirely on your treatment, your health options, and above all, your ability to fight for your health.

Despite the circumstances surrounding the contraction of your asbestos related illness, the more Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed the more the message gets out to contractors, builders, regulators, and lawmakers that victims of Mesothelioma are fighting back and intend to win. With this horrible health crisis facing our nation, it would seem prudent that the asbestos used in new construction become highly regulated and mandatory Mesothelioma settlements be implemented after diagnosis. It takes a lot of heart and courage of a cancer-stricken patient to fight back for their rights, but you and the right Mesothelioma lawyer can do a lot of good out in the world of asbestos management. While it will be a long and arduous road, it will of course become your battle of dignity.

Reference: Nick Johnson

Roller Coaster

On the radio this morning, someone said “If you are always happy, how will you know when you’re not?”  Yesterday was one of those times when we knew we were not.  

It should have been a good day - bright sunshine, blue sky and an almost spontaneous decision to go to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London. Although it started well, Steve had a coughing fit on the underground probably triggered by being up close to someone wearing perfume or carrying something on their clothes which his lungs didn’t like.  Same again walking along Piccadilly, which was heavily congested.  It really brought home to us how difficult it must be to live with asthma all the time.  Frustrating search for chairs/table at lunchtime - why do people hang about for so long after they have finished their meals, when they can see others clutching a tray of food desperately looking for somewhere to sit down and eat?

To avoid a long wait at Paddington, we caught the stopping train home.  Not a good idea without a good book or newspaper - too may opportunities for gloomy thoughts to creep into the mind, without any such distractions.  By the time we got home, both of us felt rather tired and emotional.  To makes matters worse, there was no letter or message on the answerphone from the hospital with appointment dates for treatment, without which our plans to do nice things are still on hold - we’re back in limbo again.  

Steve said he felt he was slipping out of “fighting back” into “resignation” mode.  I found myself thinking “This is as good as it gets - things won’t get better, it can only go downhill - what is there to look forward to?”  Martin, if you read this, you’ll understand why I didn’t feel much like chatting when you rang.  I’m so sorry.  We really do appreciate and need our friends to be there for us.  Thanks for getting in touch - we’ll talk again soon, when the emotional roller coaster goes back up.

Thanks also to all out other friends who have sent messages of love, support and best wishes.  It really really does help - even though it feels a bit overwhelming to be on the receiving end of so much goodwill and positive thinking.  

And of course, as you would expect, thing’s don’t look nearly so bad this morning. Although we’re not on our way to Turkey as hoped, the sun has come to us instead.  The travel insurance company has got back to us and the GP is happy to complete the medical declaration.  All being well, we’ll recover the cost of canceling the holiday.  

Ruth, the “haven” in Vietnam sounds very inviting - perhaps when we know more about the timing of Steve’s treatment programme, we’ll be able to arrange a visit, just one of MANY things to look forward to - how wrong I was yesterday.

We hope to see some of you at Edith’s retirement celebration tomorrow, others at Ludo’s 60th birthday party and yet more at Roger and Stella’s lunch in the garden later in July.  We’ll pick up on invitations to see other friends (and Sue’s chickens) just as soon as we have hospital dates to work around.  

The sun is still shining.  Murray hasn’t been knocked out of Wimbledon.  Although not in the eastern Med as planned, I am still “on holiday” from work and Steve is back to “normal” after yesterday’s blip.  Time to get on and enjoy life again.

Steps To Surviving Mesothelioma

Determining where to go after the diagnosis of Mesothelioma can be about as conflicting as how it happened to you in the first place. Mesothelioma is an equal opportunity disease, afflicting anyone who has a long history of asbestos exposure. Just because you may or may not have worked directly with asbestos doesn’t mean that you weren’t placed at risk.

Adults who had a parent who worked in a high risk environment are now developing Mesothelioma. As children they hugged their parents as they came in through the door, and the chronic exposure was enough to entice Mesothelioma into action. Children’s bodies are far more sensitive to these types of risk factors.

While your head is spinning with the factors that presented you with Mesothelioma in the first place, whether it was work environment or disaster related or parental hugs that landed you here, it is imperative to act quickly to find yourself the best medical care possible. Unfortunately that typically means finding the best Mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible as well. Companies are less than forthright about their own culpability in Mesothelioma cases and often insurance companies are looking to find another avenue of fault.

Mesothelioma doctors estimate that the death rate from this horrid disease will peak within the present decade. It has been expected that there will be cases of Mesothelioma well into the next one hundred years since legislation does not currently require tight enough restrictions on asbestos. Mesothelioma doctors have found that nearly three times as many men contract Mesothelioma as women, but there has been no determination as to why this is the case. Some link higher rates of Mesothelioma rates in men to the past standard for working women, and fewer women were once exposed. Mesothelioma doctors state that there is no significant difference in the death rate of Mesothelioma victims when determining gender based factors.

Mesothelioma requires a specialist, and often the medical expenses associated with Mesothelioma are higher than exorbitant. It often requires a competent Mesothelioma lawyer to be able to assist victims in attaining medical funds which are rightfully theirs not to mention money toward living expenses, and compensation for the wrongdoing of American big business.

Mesothelioma patients who undergo complete mind, body, spirit treatments do better than those who only undergo treatment that focuses only on killing cancer cells. Mind, body, spirit treatment is typically a misunderstood approach. It simply means that there is more than just chemical warfare waged on the body. It means that nutrition, physical therapies, counseling, focus groups, stress management, and all forms of health are focused on to encourage the patient to have the best possible outcome.

Mesothelioma is a disease with the capability to wipe people out emotionally just as easily as it can physically. Research has proven that Mesothelioma patients who adhere to whole-istici approaches to their treatment have a higher success rate at either surviving the disease or living a higher quality of life for longer than originally anticipated.

There are many decisions that need to be made in a short amount time when diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma settlements can take a long time to reach and lawsuits involving Mesothelioma do not necessarily happen within appropriate timeframes. Patients often find themselves in the painful position of having to retain a Mesothelioma lawyer in effect to fight on their behalf after they are gone in the hopes that the family they left behind will be financially compensated. It is not terribly uncommon for a Mesothelioma lawsuit to transform itself into a Mesothelioma wrongful death suit.

Mesothelioma lawyers should also be able to speak on your behalf should you no longer be able to present yourself for any required hearings or testimony. Some Mesothelioma lawyers will accept power of attorney and attempt to counsel between the family and medical professionals in an attempt to do what is right for the Mesothelioma victim.

There are no guarantees that the best doctors with the best approaches can successfully treat Mesothelioma. There are numerous factors that go into this low survival rate disease. However, finding top notch Mesothelioma doctors who understand the importance of holistic practices, nutritional therapies, stress therapies, and various forms of alternative treatments to use in conjunction with aggressive conventional treatments can seriously alter a Mesothelioma patient’s chances of survival.

Reference: Nick Johnson

Mesothelioma Hope and Help

The detrimental nature of being diagnosed with mesothelioma has become widely recognized, and the unfortunate fact that asbestos-related illnesses are far reaching is only lately becoming understood. While most mesothelioma patients have had jobs where they have had a higher than average contact with asbestos, it is now apparent that they brought home more than just hugs to their family members at the end of a long day.

Asbestos-related illnesses including mesothelioma take many years to show their full effects, and often family members are now reporting cases of mesothelioma simply from their exposure on the clothing their hard working loved one.

After over 50 years of unregulated asbestos usage throughout the United States, the number of mesothelioma lawsuit cases skyrocketed. Attorneys were forced to become asbestos specialists, and mesothelioma lawyers soon realized they were dealing with a long term epidemic.

In April 2003, it was suggested that the number of mesothelioma cases had peaked, but mesothelioma lawyers disagree as their rate for filing mesothelioma lawsuits has once again begun a steady incline. mesothelioma lawyers fear that their clients will not be able to bring enough companies into accountability as there is an overload of mesothelioma lawsuits floating through district specific courtrooms.

New York mesothelioma lawyers predict there will be a huge influx over the next ten years when the devastation of 911 is taken into account. The free floating asbestos that circulated through the city can have staggering effects on mesothelioma lawsuits nationwide and perhaps even worldwide.

If you are in need of reaching a mesothelioma settlement in order to take care of your medical needs as well as your family’s financial future, mesothelioma lawyers can assist you in understanding your rights to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. mesothelioma settlements are designed to protect your family in the event of your financial loss, as well as protect your family from the financial devastation that asbestos related cancers can cause on a family’s income and ability to provide.

Mesothelioma lawyers predict that many people who were affected from the 911 destruction do not realize they have the right to sue the city. While numerous people, whether it was their job or not, risked their lives for the sake of others, the city has yet to come to a reasonable mesothelioma settlement with those who were there to protect and serve, including those in governmental positions at the time. Do not hesitate to contact a mesothelioma lawyer even if you simply suspect you are carrying an asbestos-related illness. Time is precious, and a mesothelioma lawyer can help you make the most of your time.

Reference: Nick Johnson

The action plan takes shape

Back from today’s visits to the hospital - both of us feeling more positive as the action plan to treat Steve’s mesothelioma begins to take shape.  

The good news is that his right lung remains clear of fluid, so the pleural effusion was effective.  

We saw the CT scan and faced the uninvited guest.  Not quite what we expected - there is no tumour/lump as such.  However, the thickening of the lung lining can be seen in places on the right side - more like layers/sheets than a single ball-like mass.  

Phase 1 of the plan is to zap the “ports’ where the chest drain and camera were inserted with high intensity radio waves - this has proved to be very effective at preventing the cancer cells spreading into these vulnerable areas.  Side effects are few (possible tiredness, occasional nausea; the skin in the area can become red and itchy, but nothing that can’t be dealt with by a dollop of aqueous cream - and long term change of skin colour, but not in a place where it’s noticeable when dressed).  The treatment involves four hospital visits - one to target the area precisely and three to do the zapping - every few days as an out-patient. Should get an appointment for the course of treatment in the next few days.

Phase 2 of the plan is to start chemotherapy when the course of radiotherapy has been completed.  Steve has been offered the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial of a drug which has proved successful at managing other cancers, to see whether it works as effectively on mesothelioma. We are going to be sent more information on that option, but our initial reaction is that’s it’s worth a go.  If it proves not to be effective, he can go on to the more usual treatment - a combination of two drugs (pemetrexted/Alimta and cisplatin) with supplements of vitamin B12 and folic acid. This is is usually given in six 21-day cycles (1 day treatment, 20 days rest) over a period of five months.  There are various side effects and risks, but the evidence suggests that these are outweighed by the benefits in terms of quality of life after the course of treatment

Ongoing monitoring on a regular basis (every few months) with chest X rays to see what effect the therapy is having.

Alternatives - there are several other non-traditional options which we can explore if the standard approach doesn’t work for him.

Prognosis is uncertain - the honest answer is that nobody knows.  Survival rate statistics are skewed by an enormous number of variables - so shouldn’t be applied crudely to individuals.  

The important thing is that Steve is being actively treated.  We are learning to LIVE with Leo the cancer, not thinking in terms of him dying because of it. 

PETAL (see earlier post) is a good philosophy to live by under any circumstances, so help us to be positive by treating Steve as a normal human being (I know it’s hard - he can be a bit of a pain at times!) rather than someone with a terminal illness.  

Future plans - Please come and see us (but check first in case we’re off galavanting somewhere!). Only stay away if you have a nasty cough/cold/infection - it’s easier to deal with one illness at a time!  Don’t feel awkward, or be worried about what to say - a big hug and kiss is enough to show us you care, then carry on as normal.  Invite us to your parties and celebrations - we promise not to bring everyone down.  Don’t be alarmed if we suggest visiting you - mesothelioma is not catching.  Steve doesn’t look like Dracula (just his normal handsome self) so he won’t frighten the children or pets.  Being human, there are bound to be times when we find things a bit difficult in spite of cultivating a positive mental attitude, so bear with us if/when that happens - we will bounce back again, especially with the help and support of family and friends.  

Steve is working on his goals/targets/to do list - more of that some time in the future.  

Monday, Monday

The weekend is over.  Both our children and Steve’s mum now know the diagnosis.  

Steve’s mum (who’s in her 80s) said that she would “go” before him, mesothelioma or not.  Our son was at pains to point out that we shouldn’t take too much notice of life expectancy statistics - too many variables with a disease like mesothelioma to be be reliable.  Our daughter was more subdued and we had more hugs than usual.  But apart from that, it’s been a “normal” weekend - meals, shopping, a walk, some housework and gardening.  Life really does go on.  

Today is a bit different, however.  It will be the first trip back to hospital post-diagnosis.  This morning Steve is due to meet his radiotherapy doctor to discuss zapping  the “ports” where the chest drain and camera were inserted with high intensity radio waves.  Apparently this minimizes the risk of cancer spreading to that area.  

This afternoon, we are due to meet the oncologist to discuss prognosis and treatment.  We are both feeling very apprehensive about this, Steve in particular.  But we have a list of questions and things we want to talk about, and are going armed with information about treatments which others in Steve’s position have found beneficial.  Many thanks Debbie, for telling us about chemoembolization and the Park Attwood Clinic, and to Sarah for telling us about the mesothelioma centre of excellence at Leicester Uni.

When we have a better idea of what stage the cancer has reached and the treatment plan proposed , we’ll tell others what’s happened - hopefully with some positive news about how the tumor can be slowed down/managed, along with the bad news.  

Steve has called his tumor Leo.  It’s a way of externalizing the uninvited guest in his body, whilst acknowledging that it is there and will have to be dealt with.  Leo - you’d better behave yourself…..

Facing Mesothelioma Without a California Mesothelioma Attorney

The diagnosis of Mesothelioma will leave a victim in California in a state of perpetual challenges. Mesothelioma is a gravely difficult disease to contend with, and there are numerous issues which will unfortunately arise along the way.

The absolute best chance a California mesothelioma victim has at minimizing stress and discouragement is finding the best Mesothelioma team available. This includes Mesothelioma doctors and a top notch California mesothelioma lawyer.

Finding the best mesothelioma attorney in California can be a challenge, and the more information you are armed with, the better the chances you have of finding the Mesothelioma lawyer that is right for you. One of your top priorities is knowledge.

Knowing everything there is to know about Mesothelioma, the current California mesothelioma laws which will apply to you and your Mesothelioma case, and knowing what other people in your area have determined about their Mesothelioma representation can paint the picture of what your Mesothelioma attorney should be able to do for you.

While California mesothelioma attorneys should definitely be more knowledgeable than you when it comes to Mesothelioma law, having enough information to know whether or not the Mesothelioma lawyer you are interviewing has a solid knowledge base can help you determine the attorney’s credentials.

Searching for a good Mesothelioma lawyer is exactly that, a search. Searching entails things like the use of the internet, meeting with several California mesothelioma lawyers, and determining which Mesothelioma lawyer has the best chance of representing you within the confines of the law and aggressively as possible while holding your best interests as their top priority.

So often, whether it is doctors, lawyers, or counselors we pull a name from the phone book, make an appointment, and just assume that we have found a quality professional to handle our needs. Finding a highly qualified specialist takes more effort than that. Keep in mind that there are two types of Mesothelioma attorneys. California mesothelioma lawsuits tend to be awarded or settled quite high.

Jury awards for California mesothelioma lawsuits have historically been very high. Some Mesothelioma lawyers are interested in finding justice for their clients, and they are naturally compassionate and caring about the process and sensitive to becoming the best Mesothelioma lawyer they can possibly become. The second type of Mesothelioma lawyer is interested mostly in their share of those very high Mesothelioma settlements and awards.

This type of Mesothelioma lawyer will be lacking compassion and sensitivity to a Mesothelioma victim’s journey and their needs. It is usually noticeable right away whether or not you are greeted professionally but compassionately to discuss your Mesothelioma case or if you are greeted with callousness and a lack of basic integrity. Good Mesothelioma lawyers understand the disease, the complications, and most often the difficulties you are going to face even more than you do. A disassociated Mesothelioma attorney has simply plastered the words “Mesothelioma attorney” under his or her name in the phone book.

Word of mouth is an excellent form of Mesothelioma attorney research. For the most part, Mesothelioma victims can offer each other advice about finding a capable California mesothelioma attorney. Bear in mind that every case is different and each personality is unique, and there are instances where a referral from a fellow Mesothelioma victim just doesn’t suit you. That’s okay. Most of the time, however, Mesothelioma victims can be truly beneficial in helping each other find these very highly recommended Mesothelioma lawyers.

It is perfectly appropriate to insist the Mesothelioma attorney provides an accurate case history that can allow you to evaluate their basic performance record. Researching their self proclaimed results can be a little time consuming, but when it is a question of integrity and honesty, the research is very important. Mesothelioma lawyers are basically honest, but you don’t want to risk ending up with the laughing stock of the profession.

Researching your selections for a Mesothelioma lawyer may take some time, and Mesothelioma victims and their families do not have ample time, but the time it takes to research the quality of a Mesothelioma lawyer is invaluable considering the time and financial resources which can be lost when the research is not completed.

Facing Mesothelioma with a California mesothelioma attorney you can not trust will simply make the challenges which lay ahead in dealing with Mesothelioma more difficult. You may need your Mesothelioma to speak on your behalf in the event that you are not capable of doing so, and not having an established and trusted relationship with a Mesothelioma attorney to begin with may make that an impossible situation.

This is not the time to pull a random name from a phone book. Treating the search for a California mesothelioma attorney much like the search for the perfect employee is the only way to feel confident enough to allow you to focus on other issues regarding your health rather than babysitting your attorney.

Reference:Nick Johnson

Important Tips About Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in California

Filing a California mesothelioma lawsuit is a reasonable response to being diagnosed with Mesothelioma as it is common knowledge that this disease is only caused by asbestos exposure.

However, there are a few things that Mesothelioma victims should be aware of prior to attempting to file a California mesothelioma lawsuit. A qualified Mesothelioma lawyer can help walk a suffering victim through the process.

A Mesothelioma lawsuit can be filed after diagnosis or a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed if a family member has died from Mesothelioma. Most people who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma have worked in jobs that carry a high likelihood for asbestos exposure. People often hesitate to file a Mesothelioma lawsuit because there is the possibility of being exposed to asbestos in several locations during their various employments.

A California mesothelioma lawyer can often help to resolve this scenario just by knowing which questions to ask to narrow down the possibilities. In rare cases, a private investigator may be acquisitioned to determine the source of the asbestos.

It is imperative that you are able to produce some form of proof that you worked for the company in question during the time period in question. There are serious issues related to individuals who held under the table positions, illegal positions, and positions which for some reason did not require the proper paperwork previously to filing.

Only a Mesothelioma lawyer can truly advised a client as to whether or not there is any recourse for Mesothelioma victims with a questionable work history.

Selecting a California mesothelioma attorney is a little more difficult than simply plucking the first name you find out of the phone book. It is recommended that you sit down in front of the computer and really do some solid research on the law firm or the Mesothelioma lawyer you are considering for the position.

You want someone who will represent you aggressively and fairly, someone who isn’t afraid to step out on the courtroom floor and deliver a performance worthy of a standing ovation. Lawsuits are unfortunately always about just the evidence. Powerful people make powerful statements. Selecting a Mesothelioma lawyer that can make that powerful statement is equally as important as selecting one who is knowledgeable and compassionate.

Diagnosis and prognosis updates are imperative. These things are not always comfortable to talk about in a professional setting, but it is very important that your Mesothelioma lawyer understand where you are with your current health condition in order to adequately direct your Mesothelioma lawsuit in the direction that he feels will suit you best. You are simply going to have to trust your Mesothelioma lawyer to work on your behalf.

Even if your employer informed you of the risk of asbestos exposure when or after you were hired, chances are that you still have a case. It is likely that if the company informed employees about the dangers of asbestos they did not do so in an adequate fashion.

Employers and company owners were far more aware of the dangers of asbestos and the danger in which it posed, including the possible contraction of Mesothelioma before the general public was made aware of just how deadly this material really was. If the company you worked for presented the information in a manner that made it acceptable to expose yourself to the potential risks of asbestos, they are still liable for misleading you and creating a hazardous work environment.

There really is no justification for exposing employees to asbestos. It is just another example of how large, profitable businesses place company welfare above company employee welfare.

Asbestos exposure is the exploitation of businesses taking advantage of the American worker’s need for employment. Mesothelioma is the result of careless business practices.

Victims of Mesothelioma in California are entitled to compensation not only for their medical bills, but for their pain and suffering. No amount of money can ever replace a person’s health, as without health there really is very little else. Unfortunately, in most cases, Mesothelioma settlements and awards do little more than allow the Mesothelioma victim to pass away knowing that their family members will be provided for.

It is a truly sad state of affairs. Mesothelioma patients typically only survive 24 months after diagnosis. It typically takes at least half that to come to an agreeable Mesothelioma settlement or to bring the responsible parties to the courtroom.

Reference: Nick Johnson

PETAL

Graham Sherlock Brown’s philosophy for living with mesothelioma - sounds good to me!

P = Positive attitude

E = Eating and excercising well

T =Targets

A = Adapting to change

L = Living your life

Blast from the past

On the radio this morning, a blast from the past - Jefferson Airplane singing “Crown of Creation”.  

The last line still resonates:

My life is to survive

and be alive

for you

Mesothelioma Lawsuits Throughout Louisiana

When Hurricane Katrina dropped her massive devastation on the coast of Louisiana and Texas, the property loss was astronomical. Homes, businesses, and buildings were completely destroyed, leaving behind a wave a possible asbestos exposure for the victims who were fighting for their lives.

While buildings built before 1980 were heavily laden with asbestos, even newer buildings carry a high enough asbestos risk that future health effects are probable. Most of the homes and buildings in the devastation zone were built before 1980, providing a huge release of asbestos into the lungs of the surviving victims.

Prior to 1980, asbestos was the building material of choice. Asbestos carries a high level of insulating and heat resistant characteristics which in effect were supposed to create safer, more economical buildings. The potential for the development of Mesothelioma was not enough to deter contractors, companies, and developers from its use until recently. Laws enforced the lowered use of asbestos, but asbestos has far from been eliminated in construction.

Mesothelioma becomes a potential health risk whenever disaster destroys buildings, and the victims of Katrina are certainly at a high risk for Mesothelioma and asbestos exposure related effects. The devastated areas of Louisiana and Texas are now considered hot spots for asbestos exposure and future cases of Mesothelioma.

Many of the materials used to build the houses and buildings may contain very high levels of the asbestos fibers. There are ample samplings of dangerous material still lingering around the devastated areas of Texas and Louisiana, including asbestos-cement corrugated sheet, millboard, cement flat sheet, pipeline wrap, roofing felt, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, asbestos-cement shingle, pipeline wrap, asbestos-cement pipe, and vermiculite-attic insulation.

This debris is only a fraction of the asbestos laden material that poses significant health threats to the people of the affected areas of Louisiana and Texas.

Unfortunately, with the entirely overwhelming degree of devastation coupled with the unnecessary hardships the victims of Katrina have endured, there are immediate needs that seem more pressing than asbestos exposure. While there are still families living in tents and trailers being fed in free soup kitchens there is little option for those still facing potential asbestos exposure.

The unacceptable nature of the re-victimization of the Katrina survivors can only be compounded by the asbestos risk, and Mesothelioma cases in the future are an unacceptable consequence of governmental abandonment that is synonymous with Hurricane Katrina.

Mesothelioma lawyers and doctors, who live in the aftermath of asbestos exposure through their clients, are greatly concerned about the risks of Mesothelioma as it relates to the current levels of asbestos exposure in Texas and Louisiana. The results from this level of exposure will not be evident for decades to come, as Mesothelioma carries a long period of dormancy after exposure to asbestos.

There have been numerous unforeseen consequences to the annihilation endured by Hurricane Katrina, and those who have suffered have done so dearly. Governmental clean up action is already too late, but in the interest of continuing to attempt to protect those who have had minimal exposure. The longer the asbestos remains lingering in these areas, the greater the number of people who will face Mesothelioma and other health risks.

Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath left behind ample devastation and the senselessness of asbestos exposure and the threat of Mesothelioma on top of all that is utterly ridiculous. Clean up efforts should have begun immediately. There is simply no excuse for allowing this toxic debris to linger any longer. Those who have been exposed to the asbestos laden debris will not know whether or not their health has been affected for decades.

Adding just a little more insult to injury, there are ample companies in these states which are still utilizing toxic level of asbestos in their everyday production without regard to employee well being or health. While there are a few exceptions, the vast majority of oil refining companies are marginally protecting their employees against the risks of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma lawyers are recommending that employees take it upon themselves to research their own company’s standard practices to determine whether or not asbestos related illness are a possibility for their future. Mesothelioma is not an acceptable retirement gift, and there is no acceptable excuse for any company not following every conceivable precaution to safeguard employees from asbestos and the threat of Mesothelioma.

Reference: Nick Johnson

How does it feel?

How does it feel to find out that the love of your life has a terminal illness?

Unreal - especially when he appears absolutely “normal”.

Devastated - dreams, plans and expectations come crashing down around you, as soon as you hear the word mesothelioma

Frightened - What will happen? Will you be able to cope? Be supportive? Be positive for him?

Helpless and out of control - this thing has arrived uninvited in your partner’s body and bit by bit, sooner or later, will kill him

Physically sick with worry and anxiety

Angry - what have either have you done to deserve this? Why him? Why now? Why? Why?

Overwhelmed by the enormity of it all - your lives have been turned upside down and inside out and everything goes into slow motion - you can’t see more than a day ahead

Most of all I think, scared of the pain he will suffer/might suffer, how he will deal with the onset of debilitation, and how you will deal with these things too

Grief stricken - your life together will be snatched away - how long will you have ? Will he be there for his next birthday, or yours? Will he live to see your daughter finish university? Your son find a partner?

How do you tell someone that their dad, son, brother, friend, neighbour has an incurable cancer?

There are no easy answers.

But we have been overwhelmed by messages of love and support, positive thoughts and leads to information that might promise an extended period of quality time together from those who already know. Thank you all.

In about an hour, we will have to break the news to our daughter who returns home for the weekend, not knowing what awaits her. Still, better to tell her here, with us, than send a text or e-mail, our only other way to communicate with her in her far-flung hall of residence, without mobile reception. Tomorrow our son will join us and we will have some time together as a family before life goes on as usual. His mum will also hear tomorrow; Steve’s brother has offered to break the news to her. We will see her soon, I hope, but when? I know not.

I must remember why I started this blog. I want to do something positive. When we hear the prognosis on Monday and can discuss the treatment plan, we will have some hooks on which to hang positive thoughts and actions. I hope to share them with you soon.