Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that develops in the thin layer that covers internal organs, such as the lungs, heart and stomach, is primarily associated with asbestos. People exposed to asbestos at work or those who live with them (secondary exposure) make up a significant percentage of people who develop the disease. However, some people fall into these groups, yet they don't get mesothelioma. How is this possible? Here is how this can happen: Mutated BAP-1 BAP1 is a tumor suppressor gene, which means it inhibits tumor development – it controls cells from growing uncontrollably. When this ge ..read more

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is a life-changing event that may affect not only you but also your entire family. However, a professional diagnosis of mesothelioma can be valid grounds for pursuing a claim against the party responsible for your harmful exposure to asbestos. Choosing to file a mesothelioma claim is the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering. Pursuing a mesothelioma claim can be a complex process, though, so there are a few key things to remember that can help you understand how best to proceed. 1. Claims are often paid by insurer ..read more

Mesothelioma develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body's organs, including the lungs. Accordingly, most of its symptoms are breath-related, including shortness of breath. Here is what you should know about this symptom: Fluid build-up    Mesothelioma can cause fluid to build up in the pleural cavity - the space between the two pleura of the lungs. The fluid can press on the lungs, leading to breathing difficulties, such as breathlessness and pain when breathing.  The fluid build-up is referred to as pleural effusion. Can it be controlled? Pleu ..read more

Asbestos exposure does not happen as much in recent years due to regulations put into place to help prevent injuries from this hazardous substance. However, since the results of exposure take years or decades to show up, many cases are still working through the court system. One such case, Perkins v United States, has had its ups and downs, but it has survived through multiple objections from U.S. attorneys. Overview of the case This case involves Geraldine Rabb Perkins. She was the wife of a man who worked at the Puget Sound Navel Shipyard from 1968 to 1974 as a member of the U ..read more

People have known for a long time that working with asbestos, or being exposed to it in some other way, can lead to mesothelioma. So why are so many people still, today, finding out they have this incurable disease? Firstly, even though many manufacturers knew about the dangers of asbestos since the 1960s at least, they sought to hide and discredit that information in order to pursue profits. So many people happily carried on working with it, unaware of the risks. Secondly, it’s because mesothelioma has a very long latency period and many people are only now finding out the effect of their asb ..read more

If a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important to know that this is an aggressive type of cancer. That’s why you may need to act quickly, both to seek treatment options and to consider the type of financial compensation you need. Treatment options are improving annually, but they can still be very expensive. The survival rate for someone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma usually ranges from about 4 to 18 months. That being said, there have been people who have lived for more than a decade after a diagnosis. So it is clear that everyone’s situation is a bit different ..read more

For decades, Johnson & Johnson has faced claims that it has knowingly sold asbestos-contaminated products. Asbestos is a harmful substance that can cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Here is more on the current case against Johnson & Johnson. History of asbestos use The three Johnson brothers founded Johnson & Johnson in 1886. At first, they manufactured sterile surgical supplies. Today, it largely produces healthcare-related products. That includes personal care supplies, like talc-based powders, which cause current mesothelioma lawsuits. Testing products for asbestos Througho ..read more

Being diagnosed with any disease is bad enough. However, being diagnosed with a terminal condition like mesothelioma can turn your life upside down. Unfortunately, close to 3,000 Americans get diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. This malignant form of cancer develops following exposure to asbestos, although it can take years to manifest.  Here are two things you need to do as soon as you learn about your diagnosis: 1. Find a mesothelioma specialist While a positive mesothelioma diagnosis may come as a shock, this information can be crucial for your survival. With knowledge of what you ..read more

Lawsuits are not much fun for either party. They can also consume a lot of money, time and energy. If you are suffering from the effects of asbestos exposure, those are three things you might not have much of. You might also hate the thought of taking your old employer who you were fond of to court.  This is where an asbestos trust fund comes in. It can save you money, time and energy and avoid the need to go to court.  The government long ago worked out that the potential for asbestos-related lawsuits against certain employers was massive. The obvious outcome, if they did nothing, w ..read more

These days, the risks of asbestos are well-known people. People know that it can lead to lung cancer and mesothelioma. These are very dangerous conditions and aggressive types of cancer. That’s why it’s so important to protect yourself from asbestos exposure if you think there’s ever a chance that it may be around you. For two reasons, it’s a good idea to know what asbestos was used for before it was banned. First and foremost, this can shed some insight into why it was seen as valuable, despite being so dangerous. Secondly, it can let you know where to look for this risk so that you can avoid ..read more