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Nebraska Mesothelioma Lawyer

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Many cancers do not have any known cause. They develop through flukes in DNA or because the cells started to function incorrectly, for unknown reasons. There is, however, a cancer that does have a known cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is caused by long-term exposure to the once-popular material asbestos. Although it is has been highly regulated since the 1980s, asbestos was once found in hundreds of thousands of building across the United States, as well as in everyday consumer products that were used or owned by millions of people. Because of this, those millions of people may have been exposed to toxic levels of this deadly material and may not even know. Asbestos has caused the deaths of thousands of people following the development of mesothelioma, and has put tens of millions of people at risk of developing the deadly disease.

Asbestos fibers can either be inhaled, ingested, or both, through the nose or mouth. These miniscule fibers are absorbed into the delicate body tissues, instead of breaking down and being used for good like an organic material usually is. The asbestos fibers remain in the body, particularly in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and the heart called the mesothelium. These small fibers can cause big problems; pockets of fluid may form in the lining and tissues of the body cavities, scar tissue to develop on our lungs, and a tumor may eventually begin to form. Unlike most cancers that can be detected a few months after they begin to take a toll on the body, mesothelioma does not manifest or even begin to fully develop until decades after exposure. Because of this, most people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma are over 50 years of age.

Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with asbestos-related mesothelioma every year. That number is expected to rise over the next few years, as a few decades have passed since asbestos use was at its highest. Millions of people were exposed to the harmful material in the past, and many more are still exposed to it each day, though its use is regulated heavily. Getting rid of asbestos materials is expensive and time consuming, and dangerous to those who are doing the work. It takes a skilled team of workers to do so, and many people choose to let it remain around them rather than taking the time and money to get rid of it.

Mesothelioma is hard to detect because there are typically no outward symptoms that may alert someone that there is something wrong inside of them. Many people do not find out that have been affected until it may be too late. Mesothelioma often presents as a chest cold, shortness of breath, or pneumonia, and can go treated incorrectly for a long time. 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. Your doctor will put you through a course of teststo be sure of a diagnosis. These tests might include taking and testing blood samples, an MRI or CT scan, chest X-rays, and a broncoscopy to better able see into your lungs.

There are three distinct types of mesothelioma:
Pleural - this is the most diagnosed type of mesothelioma. Lung tissues, also called the mesothelium, and the tissues lining the chest cavity are affected by pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal - the second most common type of mesothelioma, with approximately 10 to 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the organs and tissues in and around the abdominal cavity.
Pericardial - the most rare type of mesothelioma cancer. Pericardial mesothelioma affects the tissues and lining around the heart muscle.

Although it can't change the fact that you have been afflicted with cancer in the first place, knowing that you do have legal rights can be a comfort during this difficult time. If you or a loved have developed mesothelioma following long-term asbestos exposure at the workplace, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Nebraska mesothelioma lawyer or attorney to start the process to recover damages and compensation. 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. Pursuing legal action will not only punish the persons responsible; it can also help to provide financial security for you and your family. Help your family and yourself by contacting a Nebraska mesothelioma lawyer/attorney today.