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Montana Mesothelioma Lawyer

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In today's world, it seems that we are constantly being warned about the dangers of almost anything we see or touch, and how it can lead to cancer. Still, many cancers do not have any known cause. They develop through a fluke in DNA, or because a singe cell process is interrupted. However, there is one type of cancer that does have a cause; this cancer is the rare but deadly mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to the once-popular material asbestos. Even a brief period of exposure can lead to the onset of mesothelioma. Although it is has been highly regulated since the late 1980s, asbestos can still be found in hundreds of thousands of buildings across the United States, as well as in everyday consumer products that we still use. Millions of people have been exposed to toxic levels of asbestos and may not even know it. Asbestos has caused the deaths of thousands of people after they developed mesothelioma, and has put even more people at risk of developing this deadly cancer.

Asbestos fibers can be on or in multiple materials and products that we interact with on a daily basis. We absorb the fibers in two ways: inhalation or ingestion. These miniscule fibers are then absorbed into different areas of the body, because our body cannot break them down and use them like it would an organic material. The fibers remain in the body, embedding themselves into the linings of the lungs, abdominal cavity, and the heart tissue. These fibers can cause pockets of fluid to form in the lining and tissues, scar tissue to develop on our lungs, and may eventually lead to a cancerous tumor. Mesothelioma does not manifest itself months after exposure, like other diseases; instead, it develops over time, and may not even develop into mesothelioma until decades later. Because of this time lapse, most people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma were not diagnosed until they were age 50 or older. On average, 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with asbestos-related mesothelioma every year in the United States.

There are three different types of mesothelioma that affect specific tissues and areas of the body:
Pleural - this is the most diagnosed type of mesothelioma. Lung tissues and the tissues lining the chest cavity are effected by pleural mesothelioma. It has the best survival rate out of the three types.
Peritoneal - the second most common type of mesothelioma, with approximately 10 to 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases. It effects the organs and tissues in and around the abdominal cavity, and has the second best survival rate.
Pericardial - the most rare type of mesothelioma cancer, with about five percent of all diagnosed cases being pericardial. This type of mesothelioma effects the tissues and lining around the heart muscle.

Many people do not find out that they have developed mesothelioma until it may be too late, mainly because mesothelioma is so hard to detect and diagnose before it becomes full-blown. There are typically no outward symptoms of the disease like there are for other types of cancer. When they do arise, mesothelioma symptoms are similar to the conditions associated with chest colds or pneumonia, and can go untreated if not diagnosed properly. If you know that you were exposed to asbestos in the course of your occupation and suspect you have developed or are at risk for mesothelioma, contact your doctor right away so they can perform tests and give you a diagnosis if necessary.

If you or a loved one have been recently diagnosed with asbestos-related mesothelioma, you need to be aware of the legal rights you have regarding this situation. It is in your best interest to contact an experienced Montana mesothelioma lawyer to make a claim and start a lawsuit in order to recover damages and compensation from the persons responsible. A lawyer will discuss and advise you of your rights for compensation and damages, and should be able to estimate what you should expect to receive in regards to a settlement. Although it may seem like a long and arduous process, the settlement you can receive can help provide financial security for you and your family. Do a favor for your family and yourself , and contact a Montana mesothelioma lawyer today.