Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, a deadly, naturally occurring mineral commonly mined and widely used in many products prior to the 1980s. According to the National Cancer Institute, millions of workers and their families have been exposed to asbestos. Approximately 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.
If you have a history of asbestos exposure and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestos-related disease, you need an aggressive and experienced legal team at your side. Shein Law is a dedicated law firm that has been advocating for clients suffering from asbestos-exposure illnesses for over 35 years. We have unparalleled knowledge and experience in managing these complex cases and an extensive history of recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that produces long, thin, crystalline fibers and grows in large deposits in the Earth’s subsurface. It is also often found as a contaminant in talc minerals and vermiculite. The mineral’s strength and natural ability to resist heat, corrosion, and electricity made it a popular and common material in products and construction trades before its ban as a serious public health hazard in the 1980s.
When disturbed, asbestos fibers dislodge, forming an extremely toxic airborne dust that, when inhaled, becomes trapped in the body’s tissues and accumulates over time, causing scarring, inflammation, cell damage, and extremely aggressive cancers. All asbestos exposure is dangerous due to its ability to remain in the body and accumulate without symptoms for decades before detection. Most cases progress to advanced stages long before diagnosis.
What Are the Different Types of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma manifests in the mesothelium, a two-layer membrane surrounding the body’s internal organs and aiding organ movement. As asbestos fibers travel throughout the body, they lodge into the mesothelium, irritating the cells and becoming cancerous. There are four specific types of mesothelioma:
- Pleural Mesothelioma: The most common form of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma develops within the pleura, the tissue lining the outside of the lungs and inner chest wall, vital to proper lung function. As tumors develop and grow, they prevent the lungs from inflating properly, significantly affecting breathing. Symptoms may not appear for up to 50 years, including chest pain, breathing difficulty, low back pain, fever, and persistent cough.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of abdominal organs, known as the peritoneum. As tumors develop, they put pressure on other internal organs, causing severe abdominal pain. Symptoms include weight loss, nausea, fatigue, abdominal bloating, and fever.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma: Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma that affects the heart’s lining, known as the pericardium, and causes cancerous tumors that restrict the heart’s function as they grow. Symptoms include irregular heartbeat, chest pain, loss of appetite, hypertension, and fatigue.
- Testicular Mesothelioma: Testicular mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining surrounding the testicles. It can present symptoms such as swelling, pain, and lumps in the testicular area.
Mesothelioma’s effects on life-sustaining organs make the disease especially difficult to treat, and it is a form of cancer that is highly resistant to medical intervention. While incurable, some treatments are effective in slowing the disease’s progression, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
What Industries Are Most At Risk of Asbestos Exposure?
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that worldwide, over 125 million people are at risk of occupational asbestos exposure. An estimated 1.3 million construction and general industry workers in the United States remain at risk of asbestos exposure. The majority of individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure were employed in blue-collar professions and the military. Industries and professions most at risk of asbestos exposure include:
- Auto mechanics
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- HVAC mechanics
- Foundry workers and miners
- Industrial workers
- Maintenance workers
- Power plant employees
- Railroad workers
- Refinery and steel workers
- Shipyard workers
- Utility workers
- Tire workers
- Factory workers
- Veterans
- Warehouse workers
Military veterans have the highest rates of mesothelioma due to the military’s extensive use of asbestos. The U.S. Navy extensively used asbestos for its fire resistance on ships, submarines, aircraft, and shipyards. As a result, naval veterans have the highest rates of mesothelioma cases.
Also, spouses and families were at risk of secondary exposure through asbestos fibers carried home on clothing, hair, and skin.
Who Is Responsible for My Asbestos Disease?
The companies exposing workers to asbestos are typically most responsible for mesothelioma cases, particularly those who knowingly allowed exposure to continue despite the dangers. However, responsibility for mesothelioma and other exposure-related illnesses often involves multiple parties, such as:
- Employers who used or exposed their workers to asbestos-containing products, equipment, and materials.
- Owners and operators of asbestos-contaminated properties.
- Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products and equipment.
- Distributors/suppliers of asbestos products and equipment.
Determining liability is often one of the more challenging aspects of complex mesothelioma cases. At Shein Law, we handle mesothelioma cases, and our lawyers are exceptionally skilled at determining liability and holding the responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
Can I Seek Compensation for My Asbestos Disease?
Thousands of individuals with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are taking legal action against the companies and manufacturers responsible. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care costs
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of life enjoyment and consortium
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Wrongful death
At Shein Law, we have recovered over $750 million in compensation for our injured clients.
How Can a Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyer Help Me?
Mesothelioma cases are complex, and you need a dedicated and exceptionally skilled legal team to help you navigate these challenging cases. Our Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyers at Shein Law have a total of over 100 years of experience representing clients suffering illnesses due to asbestos exposure and can help you by:
- Establishing liability
- Gathering evidence
- Reviewing medical records and consulting with your care team
- Hiring industry and medical experts, if applicable
- Filing timely claims
- Negotiating for maximum settlement
- Representing you at trial, if necessary
Our Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers at Shein Law Advocate for Clients Suffering From Asbestos Illnesses
If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other asbestos-related diagnosis, our compassionate and experienced Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyers at Shein Law can help. Call 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.