About Florida Mesothelioma

A cancer caused by asbestos, mesothelioma affects many industrial and construction workers, as well as teachers and members of the army or navy, exposed to asbestos during the course of their jobs. Mesothelioma may take 10 to 50 years to manifest due to the nature of these cancer cells. Symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to many other illnesses and include—

Shortness of breath Weight loss Pain in the chest Abdominal pain Abdominal swelling

Anemia Bowel obstruction Abnormal blood clotting Fever Neck and face swelling

It is extremely important to consult a physician as soon as possible if you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos and are experiencing any of the above symptoms. A knowledgeable doctor can help determine treatment options based on the cancer's age and location, your health, and your age.

The Facts

While statistics on the dangers of asbestos and mesothelioma's grim nature may seem harsh, they greatly raise awareness about asbestos' widespread presence and negative effects. They are catalysts for change, increasing a victim's likelihood of receiving a favorable court outcome should you choose to sue those responsible for your asbestos exposure.

Some of the terrifying statistics about mesothelioma include the following:

• More than 7,500 Americans died from mesothelioma between 1999 and 2001.*
• Most mesothelioma victims die within 18 months of learning of their cancer because mesothelioma is often thought not diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage.*
• The estimated death rate for mesothelioma victims is approximately 344 times higher than the general population.*
• The average age of people diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 50 and 70. The rate of diagnosed patients between the ages of 30 and 40 has increased in recent years.*
• The shipbuilding and ship repair industries have the highest mesothelioma mortality rates, followed closely by the industrial chemical industry and the construction industry.*
• 85% of mesothelioma deaths are male.*

Hiring a Qualified Mesothelioma Lawyer in Florida

Treating mesothelioma takes a high emotional and financial toll—and is not an experience you and your family should go through alone. The Florida mesothelioma cancer lawyers of Levin, Papantonio, Thomas, Mitchell, Echsner & Proctor, P.A. have helped thousands of asbestos victims seek compensation from their former employers. Our litigation skills, extensive experience, and passion for justice are unsurpassed by other Florida mesothelioma law firms.

More on Mesothelioma

Additional information on the types and origins of mesothelioma is available at http://www.mesothelioma-asbestos-lawsuit.com/, a comprehensive Florida mesothelioma law website run by Levin Papantonio. See also Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Comprehensive Review, published by Cancer Control in 2006, Mesothelioma, published by Winston W. Tan, MD, of Mayo Medical School, and Age and Sex Differences in Malignant Mesothelioma After Residential Exposure to Blue Asbestos, published by The American College of Chest Physicians. Visit our resources page for links to news articles, clinical trials, support organizations and agencies, and hospitals and research facilities assisting patients with mesothelioma cancer in Florida.

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Information
Florida, (FL) - Florida Mesothelioma Attorney

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking. If you, or a family member, have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, one of the most important steps you can make is to contact medical professionals who are trained in and experienced with the latest mesothelioma treatments. While there is currently no known cure for mesothelioma, medical researchers and scientists around the country are working with patients through clinical trials to develop innovative and improved treatme

Asbestos & Mesothelioma – The Facts

The American Lung Association has been raising awareness about Mesothelioma for years, but, unfortunately, many people each year still develop this form of cancer from exposure to asbestos. In many cases, older homes, schools, and workplaces contain asbestos and in some cases, this carcinogenic material can result in serious illness. Being aware of the risks can help everyone stay safer, according to The American Lung Association.

It is important to understand what asbestos and Mesothelioma are in order to reduce risks of exposure. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the cells that line various organs. Mesothelioma is rare and usually attacks the mesothelium, or the cells that line the lungs, although it can also affect the lining of the heart or abdominal organs. The most common form of this cancer is known as Pleural Mesothelioma. In Pleural Mesothelioma, malignant tumours grow on the sac that protects and lines the lungs.

Whichever organs Mesothelioma attacks, the cancer is usually caused by exposure to a substance known as asbestos. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was once very popular as a building material, as the substance is resistant to frame. Builders and those manufacturing the product saw asbestos as a way to make buildings safer from fire, but subsequent research revealed that the material is highly carcinogenic. Even exposure to just a small amount of asbestos or exposure for just a few weeks greatly increases the risk for Mesothelioma.

Asbestos Removal Comes Into Question in Marco Island, Florida

Sgt. D.A. White of the Economic Crimes Unit of the sheriff's office has reported that an investigation has been launched by the Collier County Sheriff's Office and the FBI. The investigation aims to answer questions about asbestos removal on Marco Island. City Manager Bill Moss was informed of the investigation this past week by letter. According to Sgt. White, investigators will be looking at all city contracts pertaining to removal of asbestos.

At the heart of the investigation is a letter sent to the US attorney’s office, the sheriff’s office, and the office of the Florida State Attorney. The letter mentions that park property on Marco Island contains asbestos after a contractor hired by the city to remove asbestos crushed concrete pipe and asbestos on park property. The letter goes on to charge misconduct and negligence by the city and contractor for the incident.

The allegations Stem from the fact that the city permitted Quality Enterprises, the contractor hired for the Collier Boulevard Reconstruction Project, to use park property for materials and work. Residents allege that the company crushed asbestos on the property and left pieces of the toxic material behind. They further allege that Moss and Police Chief Roger Reinke suggested that the asbestos was planted in the park by island residents. Marcos Island has formally stated that it will fully cooperate with investigators.

This is not the first case of a lawsuit stemming from asbestos removal in the US and this new case raises an interesting point: when most people seek damages for asbestos-related personal injury, they seek damages from contractors and manufacturers responsible for installing the toxic materials in buildings. In some cases, lawsuits are launched because employers are aware that asbestos is present in the workplace but take no steps to protect employees.

However, contractors hired to remove asbestos can also cause personal injury that results from exposure to asbestos. Illegal or incomplete asbestos removal can actually stir up toxic asbestos fibres that can cause serious illness later on. Mesothelioma, the cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure, takes decades to appear, so it may not always be evident that asbestos was incorrectly removed.

Preventing Florida Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cases in Florida Homes

Mesothelioma, a fatal cancer caused by asbestos exposure can be prevented in Florida’s homes. Mesothelioma occurs decades after asbestos dust enters a victim’s lungs. Although laws today restrict asbestos, the material was frequently used in construction and industry in the past. Many of the buildings and materials that once were made with asbestos are still in use today, so exposure can still occur.

More than 2,000 Americans are affected with mesothelioma annually, according to current statistics. Much exposure occurs in the workplace and at home. Exposure leads to many personal injury claims each year. Florida homeowners can help prevent this potentially fatal asbestos exposure by:

1. Learning how to spot asbestos. When bringing products into your home, check the labels to see whether they contain asbestos. Floor adhesives, vinyl floor tiles, textured paint, door gaskets, boilers, furnace ducts, fireproof gloves, and some cement roofing all may contain asbestos. If you are not sure what in your home may contain asbestos, consider having a healthy home audit done of your property. Look in your Yellow Pages under “asbestos removal” to find companies who can diagnose asbestos problems and can advise you how to eliminate these problems.

2. Check for quality of asbestos materials. If you do have asbestos materials in your home, a professional may tell you that it is safer to keep these asbestos products there (if they are not easily removable and are in good shape) rather than risk creating asbestos dust by removing them. If this is the case, make sure to periodically check for possible damage to these materials as well as wear and tear. If you see these materials breaking up, cracking, peeling, or otherwise becoming damaged, call a professional for a re-assessment right away.

Choosing the Right Mesothelioma Attorney

If you have developed mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure, you will want to hire a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. A good attorney is important if you want to ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled to under the law. A fair settlement is crucial if you want to provide for your family and get quality care.

Choosing the right personal injury attorney for your mesothelioma case can mean the difference between a settlement that can help you and your family and a settlement that does not allow you to enjoy good medical care. The first important quality you will want to look for in a personal injury attorney is passion for their job. Attorneys are eager to see justice in mesothelioma cases because they know that companies producing asbestos products have known for 6 decades that the product was dangerous. However, these companies kept this information quiet in order to increase profits. Good attorneys are rightfully angered by this form of injustice and work tirelessly to ensure that it is corrected.

When choosing a personal injury lawyer for your mesothelioma case, find an attorney who has handled a number of mesothelioma cases. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer knows how to handle a case successfully. In addition to experience, you will want to look for an attorney who has shown results in pursuing mesothelioma cases. That is, you will want an attorney who has seen many cases go to trial and who has been able to secure many fair settlements for his or her clients. Ideally, find an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases.

When selecting your mesothelioma attorney, be sure to ask whether the attorney you are interested in having represent your case will handle your case him or herself. Some Florida lawyers will refer your case to another law firm, which can be a problem since you will not have much control over who represents you.

Asbestos News Big in Florida

A number of news stories have been reported in Florida recently about asbestos. Earlier this month, for example, he Cass Street Bridge in Tampa was reopened after it was closed for months for asbestos removal. Employees working on a highway construction site close to Fort Myers found very large quantities of asbestos at the site as well as concrete that was laced with asbestos. Ocala City Hall closed late last year after mold and asbestos was found in the building.

The asbestos cases resulted in one investigation, against a construction company. Posen Construction, working on the Summerlin overpass, was accused of using asbestos illegally after large amounts of the substance were found at the site. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection stopped the company from proceeding on the project while an investigation took place. The filler used in the project is allegedly made with a high amount of asbestos, and the county is blaming the construction company for the asbestos. If an illegal amount of asbestos is found at the site, it will have to be removed, although it is not yet clear who would be responsible for the costs.

The news highlights the prevalence of asbestos in our cities and towns. The substance was once used quite commonly because it was a fire retardant and was considered a safe building material. However, research showed that asbestos exposure leads to a form of cancer known as Mesothelioma as well as to other personal injuries and ailments. Today, many people who develop Mesothelioma or other serous ailments as a result of asbestos exposure seek help from the courts to get the financial resources they need for medical care. Companies are often eager to blame others – manufacturers or subcontractors – when asbestos contamination is found. This can make it hard for victims to recover the compensation they are entitled to by law.

Another problem, according to experts, is a lax attitude about asbestos on the part of lawmakers. In 1989, the Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule was created to eventually ban asbestos. However, the legislation was overturned. While the US has strict rules about the use of asbestos, it does not have a ban, like many countries do. This makes it legal to use asbestos in some applications and some projects (including road construction). Some experts believe that since asbestos has been proven so unsafe, a full ban is more practical.