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Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, Plural Plaques

HAVE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ANY OF THESE ASBESTOS RELATED ILLNESSES:

  • MESOTHELIOMA
  • ASBESTOSIS
  • LUNG CANCER
  • PLEURAL PLAQUE

THE ROBERTS LAW FIRM, P.C. CAN HELP

St. Louis Mesothelioma Lawyer

WHAT IS MESOTHELIOMA?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops within the protective lining that covers many of the body’s internal organs. It is considered rare because on average, less than 2,500 cases are diagnosed a year. Experts have stated that they believe that it is possible that diagnosed cases will rise to approximately 4,000 per year by the year 2012. The most common site of the cancer is the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall, but it can also occur in the lining of the abdominal lining, in the sac that surrounds the heart or the sac that surrounds the testis.
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WHAT IS ASBESTOSIS?

Unlike
lung cancer or malignant Mesothelioma , asbestosis is not a cancerous disease, nor is it considered an asbestos cancer, but is instead a type of lung fibrosis. This means that the sacs in the lungs where fresh oxygen is transferred to the blood stream and used carbon dioxide is filtered out become filled with fibroid tissue. The fibroid tissue, which is like scar tissue, builds up until the lungs cannot expand properly in order to allow the sufferer to take in full breaths of air. What air does make it to the lungs can’t transfer into the blood stream. As a result the person has a debilitating and potentially fatal respiratory illness.
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WHAT ARE PLURAL PLAQUES?

Plural plaques develop in exposed individuals within 20 to 40 years of initial asbestos exposure. This development is thought to be related to the body’s immune system reaction to the fibers once they become imbedded in the membranes or organs. Plural plaques develop after many years of exposure even if the exposure was low and intermittent. If the long-term exposure was high-level and continuous Plural plaques can still be found but the most common asbestos-related condition is then asbestosis. Almost everyone who has ever been exposed to asbestos will suffer from plural plaques. This is because the asbestos fibers work their way into the pleural lining (outer lining of the lung) where they cause chronic inflammation and eventual scarring from that inflammation. The plaques are a direct result of the pleural scarring. Thankfully these plaques are always benign in nature, and will not ever change from plaques to cancer. However, there is some current scientific evidence that suggests that any individuals that are plagued by pleural plaques do have an increased risk for developing mesothelioma.
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WHAT CAUSES MESOTHELIOMA, ASBESTOSIS AND PLURAL PLAQUES?

Most people who develop mesothelioma, asbestosis and plural plaques have worked in environments that are contaminated by asbestos or who have inhaled glass particles. The most common exposure happens in the workplace, however it has been suggested that washing clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos or glass particles can put a person at risk. Some jobs that are more dangerous in terms of asbestos exposure include:

  • Shipbuilding
  • Mining
  • Heating
  • Construction
  • Automobile Industry
  • Mills
  • Oil Refineries
  • Iron and Steel Workers
  • Railroad
  • Aircraft Mechanics

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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MESOTHELIOMA?

On average, symptoms of Mesothelioma develop 30 to 40 years after exposure. As a result of the slow development and long delay between exposure and cancer growth the initial symptoms are often overlooked. Furthermore, the symptoms often mimic the symptoms of less serious illnesses leading to a delay in seeking treatment. For this reason it is vital that anyone who suspects past asbestos exposure to seek medical screening for the disease, particularly if they experience any of the symptoms listed below. Early symptoms of Mesothelioma include the following:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fluid between the lung and chest wall
  • Chronic Chest pain
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Coughing up blood
  • Fever
  • Difficulty swallowing

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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ASBESTOSIS?

Usually there are no symptoms or very mild symptoms of asbestosis at first, followed by a gradual building of the number and severity of symptoms. One of the early specific symptoms of asbestosis is shortness of breath, or dyspnea. As the scar tissue builds up in the lungs and they become more and more stiff, it requires more physical effort to force them to expand to allow the taking of a breath. These problems are diagnosed and measured by conducting lung function tests; tests that measure the lungs’ ability to hold air, and the amount of air that can be exhaled with force. Other symptoms include a persistent dry cough, chronic fatigue, chest pain that gets worse on a full breath, also called pleuritic pain, unexplained weight loss, and a crackling sound in inhalation when a doctor listens to the lungs with a stethoscope. A less common symptom of
asbestosis is a thickening of the ends of the fingers called clubbing, and sometimes associated with this are changes in the appearance of the fingernail.
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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PLURAL PLAQUES?

Although the rate of plural plaque development for anyone experiencing asbestos exposure is high, the number of individuals who know they are suffering from the condition is low. This is because the disease known as plural plaques does not produce any symptoms. Without evidence of side effects and symptoms, the condition can go undiagnosed until another possibly unrelated condition produces symptoms. Oftentimes it is only when an individual seeks medical attention for another condition that the plural plaques are found in the pleural lining.
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HOW THE ROBERTS LAW FIRM CAN HELP YOU

We believe that if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis or plural plaques you should be fairly compensated for your damages. Men, women, children and their families have had life-changing experiences as a result of the exposure to asbestos and resulting diagnosis of mesothelioma, asbestosis and plural plaque. Damages can include:

  • Medical Bills
  • Permanent Injuries
  • Emotional Suffering
  • Loss in the Quality of Life
  • Potential Risk of Future Medical Complications
  • Increased Health Insurance Costs
  • Lost Wages

Many companies in these industries acted irresponsibly, continuing to expose employees to the dangers of asbestos long after they were made aware of the risks associated with exposure. The Roberts Law Firm, P. C. would like to assist you in pursuing compensation for your injury or the injury of a loved one. We are currently evaluating claims on behalf of those who were exposed to asbestos and have subsequently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis and plural plaque. We represent injured parties on a contingent fee basis which means that there are no legal fees owed unless you are awarded compensation for your injury. For a free, no obligation case review please call 866-585-4570 toll free or fill out our
online contact form and we will contact you to answer any of your questions. If you or a loved one has been injured after exposure to asbestos, The Roberts Law Firm, P.C. may be able to help.

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The Roberts Law Firm, P.C. does not intend, by this web site or otherwise, to provide medical advice to or dissuade anyone from taking medication without their doctors’ approval. Please consult your doctor on matters relating to your health. It could be dangerous to stop taking medicines, especially abruptly.

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