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What Occupations Are at Risk for Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure.

Many people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Often, a diagnosis comes 20 to 50 years after the exposure occurred. Some newly diagnosed individuals may not remember when or where they were exposed.

Since so many cases are work-related, a good starting point is to look at potential sources of occupational exposure. There are certain industries and jobs where asbestos exposure commonly occurred. Workers who may be at risk include:

  • Auto mechanics
  • Carpenters
  • Construction workers
  • Drywall installers
  • Electricians
  • Firefighters
  • Insulation installers
  • Iron workers
  • Pipefitters
  • Plumbers
  • Railroad workers
  • Shipyard workers
  • Tile workers
  • Welders

Other workers may have been exposed as well – there are other industries and occupations not represented on this list. It is also important to remember that occupational exposure does not account for every case of mesothelioma. In some instances, family members have been exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on clothing.

Individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for significant compensation. It is advisable to work with an attorney to determine your specific options. An attorney can also help you determine when and where your exposure occurred.

Free consultation: Contact the law firm of Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, to schedule a no-cost consultation at a location convenient for you. We represent clients nationwide. Call 866-725-3585.

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Important Facts About Mesothelioma

Our firm recently published a SlideShare titled “Important Facts About Mesothelioma“.

In the SlideShare we highlight important information about mesothelioma, as well as steps victims can take upon receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis.

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An existing drug provides new hope for mesothelioma victims

A common lament of families struggling with mesothelioma is the shortage of pharmaceutical solutions to the disease. A new study out of the University of Pennsylvania provides a rare ray of hope.

The drug is Pembrolizumab, which goes by the trade name Keytruda.

What is Pembrolizumab? Pembrolizumab is a cancer immunotherapy drug that has been successful in treating metastatic melanoma.

According to a study led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, the drug also shows a positive impact on treating malignant pleural mesothelioma.

If you have been reading up on mesothelioma treatment, you know that there is a shortage of medicines that have shown any effectiveness in treating malignant mesothelioma.

Pembrolizumab blocks a protective mechanism used by cancer cells, allowing the immune system to destroy those malignant cells. It works by targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor.

Pembrolizumab is one of a class of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors that appear more effective than any previous mesothelioma medicine.

Negative side effects to Pembrolizumab include fatigue, skin rash, itchiness, diarrhea, nausea and joint pain.

The research has been written up in The Lancet. A Science Daily summary is available online.

“There have been a lot of studies looking at different drugs, but researchers have not seen positive results,” the study’s lead author Evan Alley, MD, PhD, chief of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Penn Presbyterian Hospital, says in the article.

“But we’ve found this new class of drugs, checkpoint inhibitors, seems to be more effective than what’s been available in the past.”

What causes malignant pleural mesothelioma? Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer. Nevertheless, it represents about 90 percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases.

The disease is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers found in insulation, vinyl floor tiles, and other material.

In mesothelioma, tumors form in the pleura, a thin sac of cells lining the lungs and chest wall. Most patients with the disease die within a single year. The reason it kills so rapidly is that the disease is usually not detected until the end stages. Most first-line therapy treatment involves chemotherapy and there is no approved second-line therapy.

Free legal consultation: If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, talk to an attorney from Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, to learn about your legal options. Call 843-410-3956.

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Who Was Responsible For Your Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos exposure decades ago can lead to a mesothelioma diagnosis today. Although some people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma may immediately know where their exposure occurred, others may not. In some cases, 40 or 50 years may have passed between the time of exposure and the diagnosis.

Individuals are encouraged to seek legal help even when the source of exposure is unknown:

  • Workplace exposure: Many people were exposed to asbestos at work. Individuals who worked in shipbuilding, paper mills, oil refineries, chemical plants, and textile mills may have been exposed.
  • Family exposure: Individuals who were exposed at work could have brought asbestos particles home, inadvertently exposing family members this dangerous mineral.
  • Other sources of exposure: Individuals may have been exposed by certain household products. Individuals may have been exposed by living close to a worksite where asbestos products were used – or living in an area where asbestos occurs naturally. There are other potential sources of asbestos exposure.

If the source of your asbestos exposure is not known, it is advisable to talk to one of our attorneys. We have significant experience identifying these sources.

Once it is determined where your exposure occurred, we can help you identify a course of legal action. Many companies were aware of the dangers of asbestos but continued to use this dangerous material – exposing workers and others to this cancer-causing substance and changing lives forever.

Free consultation: If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and wish to speak to one of our attorneys about your legal options, please call 843-410-3956. We can meet in your home no matter where you live in the United States.

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Which U.S. States Have The Highest Mesothelioma Rates?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Individuals anywhere can develop mesothelioma, but there are certain regions with higher incidence rates. Let’s take a look at some of them.

States

High rates of mesothelioma in certain states are tied to asbestos exposure. States with a high incidence rate (1.43 to 1.65 cases per 100,000 population) include:

  • Alaska
  • Maine
  • New Jersey
  • Washington
  • West Virginia

States with an elevated incidence rate (1.25 to 1.42 cases per 100,000 population) include:

  • Delaware
  • Louisiana
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • New Hampshire
  • Pennsylvania
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Why do these states tend to have higher rates of mesothelioma? It’s often due to the prevalence of certain industries, including s hipping, mining, refineries, chemical plants, and, in the case of New Jersey, it was home to one of the largest asbestos manufacturers. Some of these regions have naturally occurring deposits of asbestos as well.

The state with the most mesothelioma-related deaths is California. It has many of the largest deposits of naturally occurring asbestos in the United States, and is home to two of America’s busiest ports.

Men have a higher incidence rate than women, which may be explained by a higher risk of occupational exposure in industries, such as ship building, mining, construction, home renovation, etc.

It is common to see mesothelioma diagnoses in areas that rely heavily on asbestos, and where workers are exposed to asbestos in their jobs. However, it is important to note that asbestos exposure has occurred all over the United States, and individuals anywhere can be diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.

This data is from the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health.

Free consultation: If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the law firm of Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, can help. We represent clients nationwide. Call 843-410-3956.

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What To Do When The Cause Of Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis Is Unknown

A mesothelioma diagnosis usually comes as a shock. No one expects to be diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is especially true when considering that a diagnosis typically comes decades after exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma has a long latency period – 20 to 50 years, on average. Exposure to asbestos 50 years ago could result in a mesothelioma diagnosis today.

Certain individuals are at a higher risk for developing mesothelioma. People who worked in industries where asbestos exposure occurred, for example, are more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who did not.

But not all people diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at work. In some cases, victims may have no known contact with asbestos.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis With Unknown Exposure: Steps To Take

If you were recently diagnosed with mesothelioma and you do not know when you were exposed, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Talk to an attorney: It is advisable to speak to a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help you identify when you may have been exposed and help build your case. There may be potential sources of asbestos exposure in your geographic area that you are not aware of – or you may have used an asbestos-containing product in the past.
  • Do not delay: Mesothelioma cases are time sensitive. In most states, there is a statute of limitations in place that dictates how long an individual has to file a lawsuit. It is advisable to take immediate action after you or a loved one has been diagnosed.

Don’t let the fear and uncertainty of a mesothelioma diagnosis keep you from getting the support you need. The attorneys at Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, can review your case and help you determine your legal options.

Learn how we can help: Call 843-410-3956 for a free consultation. We are available to meet in your home, no matter where you live in the United States.

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Is Asbestos Banned In The United States?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is widely known to cause cancer. During the Industrial Revolution, asbestos became widely used. Soon after, the asbestos manufacturing industry was booming.

Unfortunately at the time, the dangers of asbestos were not fully understood. Asbestos mining, manufacturing, and use continued. People were getting sick and the sicknesses were attributed to asbestos exposure as early as 1897. Lung cancer was tied to asbestos definitively in the 1950s and mesothelioma in the 1960s and there was a great deal of evidence regarding the relationship between cancer and asbestos exposure even earlier.

Many people are under the assumption that asbestos is banned in the United States, but this is not the case. Asbestos mining no longer takes place in the U.S., but the substance is still imported. Asbestos is still used in various industries and products.

Fifty-plus nations around the world have banned asbestos. But this cancer-causing substance is still being used in the United States. Get more information on Asbestos Nation.

Sadly, asbestos exposure in any amount can cause cancer. Those exposed to asbestos at work are at risk for developing mesothelioma – but many people do not realize that family members may also be at risk. Workers who have been exposed to asbestos at work may inadvertently transmit asbestos fibers home with them, putting others at risk.

As long as asbestos is still used in the United States, we will continue to see mesothelioma diagnoses and other adverse health effects.

Find out how we can help: If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you deserve to learn about your legal options. Please call Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman at 843-410-3956. We represent clients nationwide and we can come to you, no matter where you live in the U.S.

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