Philadelphia Pleural Mesothelioma Lawyers

Fighting for the Rights of Asbestos Exposure Victims Throughout Pennsylvania

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare cancer that develops within the tissue lining the outside of the lungs and inside the chest wall, known as the pleura. The pleura is vital to the lung’s function, protecting the lungs and allowing them to move and safely expand with breath. Air or excess fluid on the pleura prevents the lungs from inflating properly and affects breathing ability.

Pleural mesothelioma is directly related to the inhalation of asbestos. When inhaled, the tiny fibers become deeply lodged in lung tissue, which can lay dormant and asymptomatic for 10 to 50 years. The fibers’ constant irritation creates scar tissue and causes DNA mutations, which lead to cancer. Once symptoms of pleural mesothelioma appear, the disease has most often progressed to advanced stages. Statistically, in the United States, asbestos exposure results in the following:

• Over 80 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pleural.
• More than 1,000 new cases of pleural mesothelioma are diagnosed each year.
• Pleural mesothelioma is more common in men.

Who Is the Most at Risk for Developing Pleural Mesothelioma?

Occupational asbestos exposure is the number one cause of mesothelioma, most notably within the military and blue-collar employment. Pleural mesothelioma cancer develops slowly, typically 10 to 50 years after first exposure. Due to the long latency period, many patients are not diagnosed until after age 70. High-risk occupations for asbestos exposure include:

• Construction workers:The construction industry utilized asbestos more than any other, and its use continues to put crews at risk when remodeling buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1980s.
• Firefighters:In addition to asbestos in burning buildings, firefighting equipment, including ventilators and masks, once used asbestos.
• Industrial workers:Industrial insulation in worksites heavily exposed workers to asbestos.
• Military veterans: The U.S. military widely used asbestos in machinery and construction materials, including as a fire retardant on ships, submarines, airplanes, tanks, and barracks. Servicemembers in shipyards experienced some of the heaviest exposure.
• Power plant workers:Power plant employees throughout the country were exposed to asbestos in electrical insulation, arc chutes, and electrical panels.
• Auto Mechanics: automobile and truck mechanics were exposed to brakes, clutches, and gaskets that contained asbestos.

Asbestos fibers would cling to clothing, tools, hair, and within vehicles, thus regularly exposing whole families to secondary exposure as workers arrived home each day. Individuals knowingly exposed to asbestos should receive regular medical evaluation. Early detection can help extend life expectancy.

What Are Common Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma?

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms do not generally appear until the late stages of the disease. The most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

• Chest pain or painful breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dry, persistent cough
• Chronic fatigue
• Fever or night sweats
• Hoarseness
• Lumps under the skin on the chest
• Muscle weakness
• Pain in the lower back or ribs
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face or arms (edema)
• Unexplained weight loss

How Is Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

Pleural mesothelioma diagnosis begins with an evaluation of symptoms and testing, such as chest X-rays, to reveal any fluid buildup or tumors around a lung. If these conditions exist, patients are typically referred to a specialist for further testing and biopsy of the tissues or any tumors.

A biopsy is the only method of detecting cancerous tissue in the lungs or chest wall. Mesothelioma has three different cell types, identified through the biopsy, to help doctors determine a patient’s prognosis and best treatment options, as follows:

• Epithelioid:The most common mesothelioma cell type and best prognosis.
• Sarcomatoid:A rare type of mesothelioma and a generally poor prognosis.
• Biphasic:A combination of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cell types with varying prognoses based on which cell type is most prevalent.

Additional testing for pleural mesothelioma usually includes:

• Blood tests to identify cancer biomarkers, though blood tests alone cannot diagnose pleural mesothelioma.
• Additional imaging scans, such as MRIs and PET scans, to locate tumors.
• Physical examination is done to look for abnormalities, such as bumps on the skin, and check other parts of the body that feel tender or painful.

How Is Pleural Mesothelioma Treated?

Every mesothelioma case is unique. Pleural mesothelioma stages indicate how far the cancer has progressed, with one being the earliest and four being the latest, most advanced stage. A patient’s stage of mesothelioma, combined with their overall health, can influence available treatment options.

Tissue biopsies, advanced imaging scans, and blood work are needed in combination to confirm a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma. Testing can reveal tumor cell type, stage of cancer, and any unique characteristics, which is vital to developing an effective treatment plan.

Accurately forecasting a patient’s prognosis is challenging due to the complexities of the disease. Pleural mesothelioma is an incurable, aggressive, rapidly progressing cancer, often with a life expectancy of less than 18 months.

Do I Have a Qualifying Mesothelioma Claim?

Due to the thousands of Americans suffering any type of mesothelioma cancer from occupational and secondary exposure to asbestos, there are many different legal options for victims and their families. A mesothelioma claim is a legal action that victims and their families can use to seek compensation for their injuries and related expenses. The most common types of mesothelioma claims include:

• Personal injury lawsuit: Mesothelioma lawsuits are a form of personal injury claims in which a judge or jury can award financial damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
• Wrongful death claim: Wrongful death claims are filed on behalf of a deceased victim’s estate, typically family members, after a loved one has died of mesothelioma. Compensation can be recovered for funeral and burial costs and cancer-related expenses.
• Asbestos trust fund claims: Many companies have established asbestos trust funds to compensate people with asbestos diseases and to avoid additional lawsuits, particularly those who have filed for bankruptcy to avoid legal action and additional expenditures. Pursuing an asbestos trust fund claim can help survivors recover significant compensation.

To file a claim, you must have a definitive mesothelioma diagnosis from a physician. Compensation for mesothelioma claims varies, depending on the type of claim and extent of the illness.

If you have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, you are entitled to hold the companies and manufacturers responsible for your asbestos exposure accountable for your injuries and losses. As soon as possible, you must speak with an experienced Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer with extensive knowledge of handling and resolving these complex cases.

Our Philadelphia Pleural Mesothelioma Lawyers at Shein Law Help Clients Seek Compensation for Asbestos Illnesses

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, our experienced Philadelphia pleural mesothelioma lawyers at Shein Law can help you hold the responsible company accountable and seek the compensation you deserve. Call us at 877-743-4652 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.