Asbestos refers to a group of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Three of the six types of asbestos were once widely used in the United States for the strength and durability of their fibers. The federal government began strictly regulating asbestos in the mid-1970s after discovering that the mineral caused serious health problems, including asbestosis and mesothelioma .
Asbestos becomes dangerous when the fibers are released into the air and inhaled or ingested in high concentrations over a prolonged period of time. Individuals face the risk of inhaling or ingesting airborne fibers when asbestos-containing products are worn down, disturbed, or damaged.
Millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos since the 1940s when its use peaked in the United States. While certain occupations are known to increase the risk for asbestos exposure, there are also a number of non-occupational asbestos exposure risks.
Occupational Asbestos Exposure Risk
Many people are exposed to asbestos at work. The following are some of the occupational environments that may increase an individual's asbestos exposure risk:
Construction sites
Asbestos product manufacturing sites
Oil refineries
Mines
Shipyards
Steel mills
Power plants
Automotive manufacturing facilities
Offshore rust removal sites
Railroads
Maritime operation sites
Demolition sites
Non-Occupational Asbestos Exposure Risk
Not all asbestos exposure occurs in the workplace. The following are a few non-occupational asbestos exposure risks:
Asbestos-contaminated drinking water
Asbestos products including talc and various older appliances
Vermiculite-containing garden products such as certain fertilizers and pesticides
Another asbestos exposure risk is called paraoccupational exposure and occurs when an individual is exposed to asbestos through a family member who works around the dangerous fibers. Workers heavily exposed to asbestos may bring the hazardous fibers into the home on their shoes, clothing, skin, and hair. Family members or others who live in the same home face an increased asbestos exposure risk.
If you have a heightened asbestos exposure risk, you may wish to consult with a physician experienced in the evaluation and management of asbestos-related diseases.
sexta-feira, 28 de março de 2008
Florida Mesothelioma Lawyer
The following medical centers in Florida specialize in mesothelioma treatment.
CCOP-Mount Sinai Medical CenterMesothelioma Treatment SectionRogerio C. Lilenbaum, MD4306 Alton RoadMiami Beach, Florida 33140305-674-2625
Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, The University of South FloridaMesothelioma Treatment SectionLary A. Robinson, MD12902 Magnolia DriveTampa, Florida 33612813-972-8412Florida ranked second in mesothelioma deaths in 1999 with 163 reported cases according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer for legal support in the state of Florida by filling out the form to the right.
CCOP-Mount Sinai Medical CenterMesothelioma Treatment SectionRogerio C. Lilenbaum, MD4306 Alton RoadMiami Beach, Florida 33140305-674-2625
Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, The University of South FloridaMesothelioma Treatment SectionLary A. Robinson, MD12902 Magnolia DriveTampa, Florida 33612813-972-8412Florida ranked second in mesothelioma deaths in 1999 with 163 reported cases according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer for legal support in the state of Florida by filling out the form to the right.
Illinois Mesothelioma Deaths
In 1999 the National Center for Health Statistics reported that 128 people had died from the harmful but rare form of cancer, Mesothelioma. The data was taken from residents age 15 and over in 1999. If you know someone who is suffering or died of the fatal disease, please contact us by filling out the form to the right. For further information and help, please consult the following health resources in Illinois.
Cases
Specific Results Depend on the Facts of Each Case.
$10,603,661.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses for a gentleman who developed malignant mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to joint compound as a construction worker. This case went to trial and resulted in a significant verdict in favor of the gentleman, his wife and children that was listed by a national legal publication as one of the top verdicts in the U.S. that year. The case subsequently settled.
$6,356,942.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses, for the widow of a man who died at the age of 50 after developing asbestos-related mesothelioma. He was exposed to asbestos while serving in the Navy aboard nuclear submarines during the 1960s. This case went to trial against the manufacturer of an asbestos-containing pipe covering product. The jury awarded a significant verdict, which was affirmed on appeal.
$4,380,755.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses, for an ironworker who worked at a number of industrial sites throughout his career and who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the age of 79.
$10,603,661.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses for a gentleman who developed malignant mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to joint compound as a construction worker. This case went to trial and resulted in a significant verdict in favor of the gentleman, his wife and children that was listed by a national legal publication as one of the top verdicts in the U.S. that year. The case subsequently settled.
$6,356,942.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses, for the widow of a man who died at the age of 50 after developing asbestos-related mesothelioma. He was exposed to asbestos while serving in the Navy aboard nuclear submarines during the 1960s. This case went to trial against the manufacturer of an asbestos-containing pipe covering product. The jury awarded a significant verdict, which was affirmed on appeal.
$4,380,755.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses, for an ironworker who worked at a number of industrial sites throughout his career and who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the age of 79.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The disease might have been preventable had the asbestos industry acted responsibly decades ago to protect the public from the dangers of asbestos. Unfortunately for the estimated 3,000 Americans diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, the asbestos industry hid the dangers of asbestos from the public for decades after it knew of the risks.
In these pages you will learn about the asbestos tragedy in the United States and how it has affected the lives and health of countless American workers and their families. You will also read about how people are exposed to asbestos, including the types of work sites where asbestos was once common and the trades that worked with and around asbestos-containing products. And you will learn how Baron & Budd was one of the first law firms in the country to fight for the rights of asbestos victims and is still widely recognized as a national leader in asbestos litigation to this day.
For nearly three decades, in courtrooms across the country, Baron & Budd has championed the rights of mesothelioma victims. Here are just a few examples of some of the results we have achieved for our mesothelioma clients:
The cases described here reflect the net amounts of the judgments or settlements our clients received after the deduction of attorneys fees and expenses-in other words, what our clients actually received. The actual settlement or verdict would be higher. These cases were all handled by Baron & Budd attorneys serving as lead counsel.
In these pages you will learn about the asbestos tragedy in the United States and how it has affected the lives and health of countless American workers and their families. You will also read about how people are exposed to asbestos, including the types of work sites where asbestos was once common and the trades that worked with and around asbestos-containing products. And you will learn how Baron & Budd was one of the first law firms in the country to fight for the rights of asbestos victims and is still widely recognized as a national leader in asbestos litigation to this day.
For nearly three decades, in courtrooms across the country, Baron & Budd has championed the rights of mesothelioma victims. Here are just a few examples of some of the results we have achieved for our mesothelioma clients:
The cases described here reflect the net amounts of the judgments or settlements our clients received after the deduction of attorneys fees and expenses-in other words, what our clients actually received. The actual settlement or verdict would be higher. These cases were all handled by Baron & Budd attorneys serving as lead counsel.
Five Tips to the Legal Process for Mesothelioma Patients
Deciding to pursue legal recourse and selecting an attorney to represent you in a mesothelioma or asbestos lawsuit are important decisions that should be made carefully. Below are five tips to consider:
1) You Were Probably Exposed to Asbestos
Some mesothelioma patients know they worked around asbestos, but many do not know how they were exposed. In fact, many are not sure if they were ever near this carcinogen. Unfortunately, there have been thousands of products that contain asbestos - cigarette filters, hair dryers, brakes, basement and roof materials, pipes, boilers, insulation, and many other products found throughout the home and at work. Mesothelioma patients are often not aware that the products around them contained this carcinogen. Also, the latency period (the time from asbestos exposure to mesothelioma diagnosis) can be over 30 years. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma it is more than likely that you were exposed to asbestos multiple times in your life and that this happened decades before your diagnosis. A skilled lawyer can help you identify the various ways you were exposed.
2) Don't Wait to Discover Your Legal Options
When you have been given the news about this terrible disease, you may not feel that you have the time to deal with the legal questions - should I file a claim? should I talk to a lawyer? However, you should not wait too long to learn about your legal rights for at least three reasons:
Statutes of Limitations - There are statute of limitations which means you only have a limited time to file your case after diagnosis. The statute of limitations time period is set by individual states and varies. If you wait past this time period you cannot file. The clock usually starts ticking on the day of diagnosis.
Financial Pressure - A diagnosis can bring financial stress, less income, more expenses, and treatments that are not covered by insurance. Knowing that money may be on the way from filing a claim can bring great financial relief, make more treatment options available, and remove at least one stress.
Lawyers can be Excellent Resources - The more experienced mesothelioma lawyers and law firms can often be excellent sources of information about various doctors and treatment options available for this disease.
3) Don't Pick an Attorney Based Solely on TV Ads
Many asbestos lawyers advertise on television, however, you should not use a TV commercial as the sole reason to hire an attorney. Actual credentials are what counts. For example, what type of accomplishments has the law firm achieved? How committed are they to cancer cases? How many other cases like yours have they handled?
4) Make Sure You Understand Fees
Contingency is the term that means that the lawyer gets paid only after they collect money for you. Nearly all asbestos related lawsuits are handled on a contingency basis. The amount of the contingency fee that your lawyer can charge varies by state. It is usually between 33% and 40% of the amount that is awarded to you after expenses are deducted. It is important to discuss fees openly, ask what services they cover, how they are calculated, and whether there will be any extra charges.
5) Find a Trusted Partner Who Cares
For something as important as a mesothelioma lawsuit, your attorney should not only be experienced, skilled, and dedicated, but also a trusted partner who understands the pressures and stress you are experiencing. The lawyer should know that your health needs are the most critical and that the medical aspects of this disease always take precedence over the legal aspects. The best lawyers are those that are not only expert at what they do, but are also caring, supportive, thoughtful and compassionate.
1) You Were Probably Exposed to Asbestos
Some mesothelioma patients know they worked around asbestos, but many do not know how they were exposed. In fact, many are not sure if they were ever near this carcinogen. Unfortunately, there have been thousands of products that contain asbestos - cigarette filters, hair dryers, brakes, basement and roof materials, pipes, boilers, insulation, and many other products found throughout the home and at work. Mesothelioma patients are often not aware that the products around them contained this carcinogen. Also, the latency period (the time from asbestos exposure to mesothelioma diagnosis) can be over 30 years. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma it is more than likely that you were exposed to asbestos multiple times in your life and that this happened decades before your diagnosis. A skilled lawyer can help you identify the various ways you were exposed.
2) Don't Wait to Discover Your Legal Options
When you have been given the news about this terrible disease, you may not feel that you have the time to deal with the legal questions - should I file a claim? should I talk to a lawyer? However, you should not wait too long to learn about your legal rights for at least three reasons:
Statutes of Limitations - There are statute of limitations which means you only have a limited time to file your case after diagnosis. The statute of limitations time period is set by individual states and varies. If you wait past this time period you cannot file. The clock usually starts ticking on the day of diagnosis.
Financial Pressure - A diagnosis can bring financial stress, less income, more expenses, and treatments that are not covered by insurance. Knowing that money may be on the way from filing a claim can bring great financial relief, make more treatment options available, and remove at least one stress.
Lawyers can be Excellent Resources - The more experienced mesothelioma lawyers and law firms can often be excellent sources of information about various doctors and treatment options available for this disease.
3) Don't Pick an Attorney Based Solely on TV Ads
Many asbestos lawyers advertise on television, however, you should not use a TV commercial as the sole reason to hire an attorney. Actual credentials are what counts. For example, what type of accomplishments has the law firm achieved? How committed are they to cancer cases? How many other cases like yours have they handled?
4) Make Sure You Understand Fees
Contingency is the term that means that the lawyer gets paid only after they collect money for you. Nearly all asbestos related lawsuits are handled on a contingency basis. The amount of the contingency fee that your lawyer can charge varies by state. It is usually between 33% and 40% of the amount that is awarded to you after expenses are deducted. It is important to discuss fees openly, ask what services they cover, how they are calculated, and whether there will be any extra charges.
5) Find a Trusted Partner Who Cares
For something as important as a mesothelioma lawsuit, your attorney should not only be experienced, skilled, and dedicated, but also a trusted partner who understands the pressures and stress you are experiencing. The lawyer should know that your health needs are the most critical and that the medical aspects of this disease always take precedence over the legal aspects. The best lawyers are those that are not only expert at what they do, but are also caring, supportive, thoughtful and compassionate.
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