Top Mesothelioma Attorney in Philadelphia
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a disease where the only known cause is exposure to asbestos. Those most at risk of developing mesothelioma are people who have worked with or around asbestos or products containing it, and family members who have laundered work clothes or visited worksites. People who live in neighborhoods that are near industries using asbestos products or where there are asbestos waste sites are also at risk.
There is no known “safe” level of exposure to asbestos. Because many older buildings contain asbestos in their ceiling material, walls, or flooring, people who live, work, or attend school in such buildings for a long period of time may also be exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos.
If you have directly or indirectly been exposed to asbestos, you should seek a medical evaluation immediately to determine if you have developed mesothelioma. If you have received or believe you will receive a positive diagnosis of mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, a representative from our top law firm will work hard to achieve the compensation you deserve. Our mesothelioma personal injury lawyers are the best in the Philadelphia area. If you’re looking for an asbestos attorney in Philadelphia that will work hard on your behalf, trust in Katz Injury Law.
Types of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer that happens in the two-layer membrane, known as the mesothelium, that surrounds and protects the body’s internal organs. When sharp asbestos fibers lodge in the lining around organs, a cancer can occur known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma presents primarily in three areas of the body. If you have been affected by any of these types of mesothelioma, contact our Philadelphia mesothelioma attorney firm.
Pleural Mesothelioma
When asbestos is inhaled and asbestos fibers travel to the pleura, the lining around the lungs in the chest cavity, cells can become cancerous. This is known as pleural mesothelioma and most often, mesothelioma occurs in the chest. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take anywhere from 10 to 60 years after a person’s first exposure to asbestos to even reveal themselves. Sometimes mesothelioma is found without symptoms but through a routine physical exam. If you do have symptoms of mesothelioma, they usually include any of the following: shortness of breath, chest pain, pain in the back or shoulder on one side of the body, fever, a cough which does not go away or even weight loss which is not intended. If you’re experiencing pleural mesothelioma, contact our Philadelphia mesothelioma attorney to help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Our experienced Philadelphia mesothelioma attorney will seek justice for your condition.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
When a tumor develops on lining around the organs in the abdomen, this is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include pressure or pain in the abdomen, unusual bloating, nausea and fever. For women, peritoneal mesothelioma can sometimes present as what is thought to be an ovarian cancer but instead it is mesothelioma. Special tests on tissue from the abdomen can explain to doctors which disease may be present in women who have these symptoms. Frequent usage of talc or baby powder can be a cause of peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma (in belly or in the chest). If you’re looking for an asbestos lawyer in Philadelphia to help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit, get in touch today.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma occurs when this disease is present first around the tissue surrounding the heart known as the pericardium. Symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma can include cardiac issues which appear to be heart disease, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, high blood pressure and fatigue.
As the symptoms of mesothelioma can take decades to show themselves, by the time a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made, the prognosis is not good. However, there are many treatment options available. If you believe you or your family members have been exposed to asbestos in their lifetimes, you should seek medical attention to begin to have your medical professional monitor you. As with any cancer, if caught in early states, before symptoms ever appear, the outlook is much brighter.
We can help you find treatment options if you or your loved ones are diagnosed with mesothelioma and we can help you with available legal options. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, we can provide your with a mesothelioma attorney. We provide the top asbestos lawyers in the Philadelphia area. Give our Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers a call at (610) 789.3240.
Robert Katz represented me in a legal matter and he was GREAT!!! Answered all my questions and concerns and got me even better results. The start is polite and helpful. Katz will always be my go to guy.
Philly Asbestos Lawyer
Asbestos Lung Cancer
Exposure to asbestos can also cause lung cancer – even if you have smoked. In fact, when someone has smoked in their lifetime and has been exposed to asbestos, their risk of developing lung cancer by up to 90 times over people who never smoked and were exposed to asbestos.
As with mesothelioma, when asbestos fibers become lodged in the lung, bronchial tubes, trachea and air sacs called alveoli, the body can turn on these fibers and begin a cancerous process within the lung. If you have lung cancer as a result from being exposed to asbestos, you need a top mesothelioma trial attorney in Philadelphia to handle your case.
Types of Asbestos Lung Cancer
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are the most commonly seen types of asbestos-related lung cancers. Small cell lung cancer cells are usually small, and round shaped compared to non–small cell lung cancer cells, which are generally larger and unusually shaped. In some cases, asbestos lung cancer exhibits features of both types of cells, and is classified as mixed small cell / large cell cancer.
As the most common form of lung cancer, non–small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 75 to 85 percent of lung cancers, whereas small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 15 to 25 percent according the American Cancer Society and medical reports. When cancer cells in the lung begin to rapidly multiply, they become tumors. Both small cell and non-small cell lung cancers can spread to other organs if they are not treated quickly
Asbestos Lung Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis
As with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer may not have symptoms until the process has been growing for a long time. The American Cancer Society says many patients complain of the following symptoms: relentless coughing, weight loss, chest pain, hoarseness, and blood in the phlegm. Sometimes, when a person is experiencing these symptoms, they think they have a chest cold, bronchitis or pneumonia. It is important to let your doctor know if you also believe you have been exposed to asbestos to get an accurate diagnosis.
If you believe you have or in fact have been diagnosed with lung cancer, even if you smoked or currently smoke, your lung cancer may be related to asbestos. If you’re looking for a mesothelioma trial attorney, Katz Injury Law can provide you with the top asbestos lawyers in the area. Our top Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers can help you obtain compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Other Types of Asbestos-Related Diseases
In addition to mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestos exposure may lead to lung disease which is not malignant. These conditions are known as asbestosis and pleural lung disease.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis, also known as lung fibrosis, is a scarring of the inside of the lung due to inhalation of asbestos fibers over an extended period. When asbestos fibers cause scarring in the lung, the lung cannot transport oxygen well. As the scarring worsens, lung capacity diminishes causing increasing shortness of breath.
Asbestosis can make a person feel short of breath and very tired. Smoking-related COPD can also make a person feel short of breath but if you smoked, currently smoke and were exposed to asbestos, this may be the disease asbestosis. Like asbestos-related cancers, asbestosis can take a long time after one’s exposure to asbestos to even arise.
A mesothelioma attorney can help you get back what you may have lost. Our mesothelioma lawyers are the top lawyers in Philadelphia and can help with the pain and suffering you’re going through as a result of asbestos or mesothelioma.
Pleural Disease
When scarring from inhaling asbestos fibers occurs on the outer surface of the lung, the pleura, and not in the lung, which is asbestosis, plaques or thickening can be observed in the pleura. While most of the time pleural disease has no symptoms, if severe enough, fluid can form in the space between the pleura and the lung. This is known as a pleural effusion. Pleural disease is not cancer and is different from mesothelioma. Pleural disease is related to exposure to asbestos. Our asbestos attorney will help make things right for you.
WHAT CAUSES MESOTHELIOMA
In North America, asbestos exposure is the cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos has been used in industry and among many trades since the 1800s. Asbestos has been used at power plants, refineries, chemical and food processing plants, in homes, schools and office buildings. Asbestos is often used for insulation and for creating strength in other products as well as component parts of many types of equipment. Into the 1990s, asbestos still was used in automotive parts such as brakes, clutches and engine components. Asbestos was also used in chemical laboratories, dental labs and in jewelry making.
Additionally, use of industrial and cosmetic talcum powder (talc) contained asbestos, some up into the 2000s. Cosmetic talc includes baby powder and body powder. Industrial talc has been used in paints and pigments, in art supplies and in pottery making.
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in lung tissue and lead to the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other non-cancerous diseases such as asbestosis or scarring of the lung.
LEGAL OPTIONS
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis/pulmonary fibrosis, please contact our Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers and asbestos lawyers as soon as possible to explore your legal options and rights. Our Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers, and asbestos lawyers will not let you down. Our Philadelphia law firm has years of experience and has asbestos lawyers and mesothelioma lawyers with advanced knowledge and expertise.
Our mesothelioma attorney will be there with you every step of the way and communicate with you about everything that’s going on. In Philadelphia, you won’t be able to find a mesothelioma attorney with as much knowledge, experience and compassion as us. Our mesothelioma attorney and asbestos attorney will work hard on your behalf. We want you to trust our mesothelioma attorney and asbestos attorney team for all your needs. We truly care about each of our clients and we are proud to call ourselves a top mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia.