What Is Asbestos?

The term asbestos refers to a family of magnesium-silicate mineral fibers. In the past, asbestos was used widely for insulation because it does not conduct heat well and is resistant to burning. As the link between asbestos and mesothelioma has become more well known, the use of this material has decreased. However, up to eight million Americans may already have been exposed to asbestos. Although asbestos has not been used in construction since approximately 1975, the products already in place present a danger to individuals involved in repair work and the demolition of structures containing asbestos products.

People exposed to asbestos at an early age, for a long period of time, are most likely to develop Mesothelioma.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor of the mesothelium, the tissue made up of specialized cells that line the chest cavity, abdominal cavity and cavity around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal organs. Mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks any of these mesothelial regions.

It is possible that asbestos causes cancer by physically irritating cells rather than by a chemical effect. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, the long, thin fibers may reach the ends of the small airways and penetrate into the pleural lining of the lung and chest wall. These fibers may then directly injure mesothelial cells of the pleura, and eventually cause mesothelioma.

It is important to note that symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. The early symptoms of malignant mesothelioma are common symptoms that are not specific to the disease itself. People often mistake the symptoms for everyday sicknesses and ailments such as the common cold. Many people with mesothelioma have symptoms for only a few months before they are diagnosed.

Symptoms

• Pain at the side of the chest or in the lower back
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Fever
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hernias
• Fluid in the abdominal cavity
• Mass or bulge in the abdomen

Types

About 75% of mesothelioma occurrences start in the chest cavity. This is known as pleural mesothelioma. Another 10% to 20% is peritoneal mesothelioma which begins in the abdomen. Pericardial mesothelioma, found in the cavity around the heart, is very rare.

Who Is At Risk?

The people most at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis are workers of all sorts of skills and trades who worked in a wide variety of job sites during and prior to the mid-1970s. From the 1940s to the 1970s, many workers around the world were exposed to asbestos fibers and dust at their jobs.

High Risk Occupations

• Boilermakers
• Brake Mechanics
• Insulators (Asbestos Workers)
• Maintenance Workers
• Pipe Fitters
• Secondary Exposure
• Ship Fitters
• Steel Workers

Other At-Risk Occupations

• Auto Mechanics
• Bricklayers
• Carpenters
• Custodians
• Demolition Workers
• Drywall Installers
• Electricians
• Factory Workers
• HVAC Workers
• Lathers
• Loggers
• Longshoremen
• Naval Officers
• Painters
• Plumbers
• Power Plant Employees
• Railroad Workers
• Stone Masons
• Welders

Mesothelioma Attorneys Are Here To Help With Your New Orleans Mesothelioma Claims

If you have received the devastating diagnosis of mesothelioma in New Orleans or the surrounding area, you will need to not only find and pay for the best available medical treatment; you will have to sustain all your living expenses while unable to work, and somehow still continue to provide for your family. You need help from a mesothelioma attorney now.

The Asbestos And Mesothelioma Connection

As many as 80% of people who have now been diagnosed with mesothelioma have a proven history of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is not man-made; it is made of multiple natural minerals that are found in the earth. Due to the strength of these naturally flexible fibers as well as fire-retardant properties, asbestos was once very commonly added to building materials, specifically, cement, shingles, and insulation.

People whose jobs include making, installing, or maintaining residential or commercial products containing asbestos can very easily breathe in or swallow asbestos fibers. These fibers can even be contained in dust on clothing or tools and expose the family members of workers to high levels of harmful asbestos minerals in their own homes.

The Purpose Of The National Mesothelioma Claims Center

The National Mesothelioma Claims Center was created to aid the victims of mesothelioma and their families to recover asbestos-related compensation in order to assist with their incredibly costly medical expenses. Contact a mesothelioma attorney to discuss which options are available to you in the New Orleans or Chalmette, LA area.

The $30 Billion Asbestos Cancer Trust

Thirty billion dollars is the official amount of money that has been set aside by former asbestos manufacturers in order to compensate individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, specific lung cancers, and other asbestos-associated illnesses. These are the companies that created asbestos containing products and also profited from them. These companies were given no choice but to put up this money to compensate people who are now living with mesothelioma as a result of their dangerous products. This money that is set aside in the asbestos trust is available for medical expenses and to help with supporting the families of those who are battling mesothelioma and related illnesses.

How The Process Works With A New Orleans Mesothelioma Attorney

Filing with the Asbestos Cancer Trust is generally the quickest way to recover compensation in New Orleans but it may not be the smartest way for you to get the maximum amount of compensation possible. The amount that is paid out to each mesothelioma patient is based upon the severity of their diagnosis. A Chalmette area personal injury attorney at Robichaux Law Firm can help you prove how severe your illness is and can advise you on whether or not a lawsuit would be the strongest strategy in your case. Mesothelioma claims are approved and paid in the order that they are received, which means that the sooner you file, the sooner you can end up being paid.

No Cost Without Recovery

Conact our law firm to find out your rights as the victim of asbestos exposure. The Robichaux Law Firm, LLC has over 49 years of experience helping victims of mesothelioma receive financial compensation.

Our firm does not charge a fee for initial consultations. We work on a contingency fee, and there is no charge to our clients if we are unable to recover money for you.