Mesothelioma Claim Solicitors
Article by Ali Munandar
What is Mesothelioma?
Introduction to Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which is caused by exposure to asbestos and is most commonly contracted due to exposure to asbestos at work. Mesothelioma is often known by the term ‘Meso’, a shortened version of the full name.
The name ‘Mesothelioma’ comes from the fact that the cells affected by this cancer are the mesothelial cells which cover the outer surface of the body’s internal organs. Mesothelioma can be found on the lungs, the heart or the abdomen and these three types of mesothelioma are described in more detail below.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for mesothelioma and after diagnosis victims may only have a short time to live. It will usually be investigated whether surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy would be worthwhile; however, mesothelioma is considered to be a terminal illness.
If you have contracted mesothelioma, you may be entitled to make a mesothelioma claim and should consult a mesothelioma solicitor.
Types of Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma, Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Pericardial Mesothelioma
There are two main types of mesothelioma, called Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneal Mesothelioma. There is also a third type of mesothelioma called Pericardial Mesothelioma; however this is a very rare condition.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common and is caused by inhaling asbestos fibres into the lungs. A tumour forms on the lining (pleura) of the lungs, which makes breathing difficult and painful. The majority of mesothelioma claims we deal with are for Pleural Mesothelioma.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is less common but is also caused by exposure to asbestos. A tumour then develops on the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) which prevents it from working properly to lubricate the organs inside the abdomen. Although Peritoneal Mesothelioma is less common we have still dealt with mesothelioma claims for this disease.
How is Mesothelioma Contracted?
Causes of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is caused by breathing in asbestos dust. Mesothelioma affects approximately four times as many men as women. This is because in most cases the exposure to asbestos occurred at work in places such as shipyards, building sites, power stations, railway workshops and other factories where predominantly men were employed decades ago.
Unlike other asbestos related conditions, mesothelioma can develop even after exposure to relatively low levels of asbestos or where the exposure took place over a relatively short period of time.
Many women who have developed mesothelioma have contracted it after contact with the work clothes and overalls belonging to their male relatives although some were directly exposed at work or by living close by to a factory which released asbestos fibres into the surrounding environment.
Workers most at risk from developing Mesothelioma
Professions where asbestos was commonplace
At Thompsons Solicitors, we have helped many victims of asbestos to make mesothelioma claims. Due to the fact that we have dealt with so many of these mesothelioma claims we have seen a pattern develop showing the workers most at risk from developing mesothelioma and some of these are listed below.
Boilermakers and Laggers – It was commonplace for boilers to be insulated with asbestos lagging. Boilermakers also work alongside the contractors (laggers) who install and renew asbestos boiler insulation. This type of work has put boilermakers and laggers at a particularly high risk of developing mesothelioma.
Electricians – are at risk of developing mesothelioma because they also worked alongside laggers. Electricians also often have to cut or drill through asbestos insulation to install cable trays, instruments, switches and wiring systems.
Joiners and Carpenters and Builders – are also at risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of sawing, drilling and fixing or replacing asbestos cement board often used in partition walls, suspended ceilings, flooring, roof tiles and thermal insulation.
Motor Mechanics – may have been exposed to asbestos as it was frequently used in brake pads and clutches. This has put some Motor Mechanics at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Pipe Fitters and Plumbers – install, maintain and repair pipes, boilers and heating systems. The nature of their work means that they have to cut or drill through walls as well as cutting and assembling sections of pipe, removing and replacing damaged sections of pipe, valve and flanges etc. All of these tasks put them at risk of developing mesothelioma as pipes frequently used to be covered with asbestos lagging. As the pipes were cut, fibres from the asbestos lagging were released into the air and inhaled by the pipefitter or plumber.
Victims of mesothelioma are certainly not limited to the professions mentioned above. Our specialist mesothelioma solicitors have helped victims of this asbestos related disease with their mesothelioma claims who have worked in many other professions including fire fighters, teachers, police officers, managers and a professor.
What is asbestos?
How asbestos was used
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and its name is derived from a Greek word meaning inextinguishable. It was mined and used by the Ancient Greeks and the Romans then became increasingly popular during the 19th century.
Due to its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage, together with its ability to absorb sound, asbestos was commonly used by the building trade as an additive to cement, by the car industry as brake shoes and in the engineering industry as a lagging for pipes and boilers.
Asbestos was used heavily after the Second World War in 1945 and was not completely banned from use in the UK until 1999.
Example of a Mesothelioma Compensation Claim we have dealt with
Pipe Fitter and Plumber exposed to asbestos
A former shipyard worker who was exposed to asbestos was awarded more than £150,000 in compensation with help from Thompsons Solicitors.
Charles Cochran, 67, was awarded the compensation after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung. There is no cure for the disease and sufferers often have just months to live following diagnosis. Charles’ case was settled within four months by Thompsons.
He began his working life as an 16-year-old apprentice at Walker Naval Yard where he was exposed to asbestos used by shipyard contractors. He was never warned it was dangerous and remembers workmates playing football with it during their lunch break.
Charles, who is married to Beryl and has four stepchildren, three children, and 15 grandchildren, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June 2007 after going to his doctor complaining of flu-like symptoms. He said: “This compensation is not going to bring my health back. But it will make sure my wife will be looked after. It’s a big relief for me to know that.”
Andrew Venn, from Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Mesothelioma is a devastating disease for all involved. It is important that asbestos victims and their family members obtain proper compensation quickly from the insurers of the companies who caused the disease.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Seeking Medical help
Mesothelioma can develop between 15 and 40 years or more after an exposure to asbestos. If you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and you start to suffer from any of the following symptoms you should visit your GP and mention your concerns:
Pains in the lower back, abdomen or chestA persistent cough
Breathing difficulties, shortness of breath or a feeling of tightness in the chestRapid weight loss
Problems with appetite or difficulty swallowingSweating, fevers, diarrhoea or constipationNausea or vomiting
Swelling of the abdomen
Some people with mesothelioma have no symptoms at all in the early stages; therefore, if you know that you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and believe it may be the cause of your symptoms, it is always a good idea to visit a doctor for medical advice. Any damage caused by asbestos may be possible to detect with a scan or x-ray.
For more information about mesothelioma, read our mesothelioma leaflet.
Mesothelioma Compensation Claim Advice
Thompsons Solicitors and Mesothelioma Claims
If you or someone you know has developed mesothelioma or any other asbestos related disease, telephone us now for accurate and free compensation claim advice.
Thompsons Solicitors have a history of fighting for the rights of all workers and in particular for those who have been negligently exposed to asbestos by their employers. We won the first ever successful compensation claim in the UK for asbestos related disease in 1972. We have been involved in numerous campaigns to ensure that victims of asbestos receive the medical care and compensation they are entitled to.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters and have teams of specialist mesothelioma solicitors. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for mesothelioma compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms. visit my blog http://speechmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/01/mesothelioma-claim-solicitors.html
About the Author
ocim is just man behind speechmagazine.blogspot.com