The Ins and Outs of Asbestos Laws

Asbestos laws are laid out to protect those who have unknowingly been exposed to this harmful and hazardous chemical (at the awareness of another party). These laws were put into place to help those exposed to asbestos, who have suffered because of this exposure seek compensation.

When you are exposed to a serious level of asbestos, you are greatly risking your chance of contracting lunch cancer, Mesothelioma or a whole other slew of long-term health issues such as breathing difficulties and problems in your peritoneum. You are also at risk of contracting a disease that is called asbestosis which is a long-time build-up of scar tissue in the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos on a regular basis. This build-up is what leads to lunch cancer or Mesothelioma. If left untreated, it can have an end result of death. This is why asbestos laws are in place.

Many buildings built as early as 1930 contain a large level of asbestos. Many have had the asbestos removed, eliminating the risk for exposure. However, there are many dishonest business owners out there who have been made aware of the underlying issues with asbestos in their building and choose to keep quiet, possibly because of the high cost of removing the asbestos, or their lack of education in how harmful and hazardous asbestos truly is. Not making your employees aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure can land a business owner in serious hot water. Asbestos laws have been created to bring about lawsuits to companies and individuals who have been negligent on their inability to remove the asbestos from their work environment. Many people who have lost asbestos lawsuits have been forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in retribution pay.

The best thing that you can do is to follow and obey the asbestos laws. Clean up and dispose of any asbestos problems you may have in your business or home and make your employees aware that you have done so will create a healthier and a more respectable and forthright working environment. By making your employees aware that you have addressed the asbestos situation will protect you from any further risk of lawsuits brought on by different individuals.

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How to Test For Asbestos

If you live in an older home (built before 1980), there may be a strong chance that you are being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral that was once used as insulation and floor backing in homes and places of business until researchers came up with the realization that when airborne and inhaled, asbestos can be extremely hazardous to your health, causing a gamut of health problems such as breathing difficulties, asbestosis and even more severe health issues such as lung cancer and Mesothelioma. By having an asbestos test done, you can eliminate the worry of wondering whether or not you are exposing yourself or your family to this harmful chemical.

There are several different ways that you can test your home to see if you or family is being exposed to asbestos. You can contact a company who specializes in the detection, clean up and removal of asbestos. If you choose to go with one of these companies, make sure that they are licensed and bonded and come with a list of referrals to ensure that you are going with a company who puts their client's health and safety first.

If you feel up to the task, you may also test for asbestos exposure yourself with a do-it-yourself kit. You can get these from a number of sources. Many of them are mail-in tests what will provide you with all of the necessary items you need to conduct the asbestos test. You start testing for asbestos by using the proper respiratory protection such as a mask and body suit (make sure that all hair, including facial hair) is not exposed as asbestos easily clings to hair, risking further exposure. Wearing proper gloves, completely wet the sample you are going to take with a spray bottle to eliminate the chance that any part of the insulation will go airborne. Using a razor knife or chisel, section out the desired piece of wall or flooring for sampling. Make sure to get all layers of flooring or wall to ensure you gather all traces of asbestos. Then place your sample in one of the sealed bags and send to the proper location. These tests generally run approximately $30 and you will have your results in as little as two weeks time.

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Asbestos Regulations in Homes and Buildings

Asbestos was a common mineral used for years many decades ago in homes and buildings to be used in insulation and flooring among other things. In recent years, it has been discovered that exposure to asbestos is extremely hazardous to your health and has been known to cause Mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as several other severe breathing problems. These cancers and health problems are caused by the dry fibers of the asbestos to become airborne and when inhaled, it attaches onto your lung tissue or breathing airway.

With the discovery of the hazards of it, new asbestos regulations have been put in place for buildings and homes that are being demolished as well as any of these locations that are being remodeled or repaired. Disrupting the balance of the asbestos can cause the shards to quickly become airborne, exposing those nearest to be put into harms way.

Due to relatively new laws, federal regulations require any building of a certain age to be surveyed and tested to check for the presence of asbestos. If it is detected, it must be cleaned up and removed before the demolition can take place. If this is not done, the permits will not be granted and a fine will ensue. It is imperative that you do not try to remove the asbestos yourself. This can be dangerous to not only you, but those around you. There are professional companies who are highly trained in the removal of asbestos in the quickest and safest way, keeping the asbestos exposure to a minimum.

Because of homeowner's private rights, most residential homes are exempt from following any asbestos regulations. Although the removal of asbestos is highly recommended to a homeowner, because it is a private resident, it is not required to oblige the law. Commercial businesses, public works or domain projects are required to report the detection of asbestos and have it certified upon completion once the asbestos has been removed. Following asbestos regulations may be time consuming, but overall, it is for the health and well being of many and should be taken extremely seriously.

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Getting Justice in Asbestos Litigation

If you have been exposed to a large amount of asbestos in your place of employment and have been experiencing a significant amount of symptoms, you may qualify for a lawsuit. Asbestos litigation was set in place to protect those exposed to asbestos. Lawsuits have been successfully won when an employer failed to make their employees aware of the potential threat of asbestos poisoning, while still exposing their employees to the hazardous chemical. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or other cancer related issues, you may qualify for a hefty lawsuit.

When pursuing a lawsuit, it must first be determined that you were exposed to asbestos from the designated place of origin. If it is found that asbestos does or did exist during the time of your exposure, you will qualify for the lawsuit. It must be said, however, that a tremendous amount of "unfounded" asbestos lawsuits are holding up the court, pushing back severe cases for many years. You can expect a much larger amount if your health issues are advanced. Some companies have been forced to file bankruptcy due to unnecessary payouts to plaintiff's whose problems are not severe enough to warrant a lawsuit. This scenario is unfortunate because there are many legitimate cases of asbestos exposure victims who may never get their chance to be heard due to other frivolous lawsuits.

Since the start of asbestos litigations, companies have paid out over $70 billion dollars in claims are costs related to the claims. Many lawyers are filing frivolous claims on behalf of their clients "pain and suffering" who show little or no physical impairment at all. The unfortunate part of these lawsuits is that those who are really suffering from terrible ailments such as cancer and asbestosis are being pushed to the wayside due to lack of funds and time. The Supreme Court has been repeatedly asked to put an end to these frivolous types of lawsuits, making those who truly need it, get the compensation that they deserve.

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Things to Be Aware About If You Have Mesothelioma

Whenever one is diagnosed with diseases it becomes important to know about the disease in details. The research regarding the disease will help you to figure out specifically your line of treatment, especially if you have diseases like cancer or AIDS. Knowing in details regarding these kinds of diseases will help you immensely in understanding about the disease and thus, a better way of fighting with it can be found out. Most of the times, cancer is not detected until the last stages. Mesothelioma is one such rare kinds of cancer that can prove to be very hazardous. Till recent times it was not regarded as the cancer, however, the doctors realized its cancerous growth and included it as a cancer.

Mesothelioma can occur in three parts of the body i.e. lungs in the form of pleural, abdomen in the form of peritoneal mesothelioma and in heart as pericardial mesothelima. Out all these three types pleural mesothelima is found commonly. Certain things to be kept in mind if detected with this cancer are

• For diagnosing mesothelioma, it is better to go tissue biopsy rather than fluid biopsy. As many times it is observed that fluid biopsy gives negative report when the cancer is actually present.

• Net step is to discuss in detail about it with your doctor and go to a good oncologist. Discuss at length your treatment with your oncologist.

• Take a second opinion. It is your right to know whether the check ups are diagnosed accurately or not. No good doctor would object about the fact that you have gone for a second opinion.

• You can take second opinions regarding this from comprehensive cancer centers. This will be in your personal interest only.
Thus, be alert and know exactly about your disease in a proper way so that you can take wise decision and help yourself in a better way to get cured of your disease.

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Getting a Mesothelima Lawyer to Fight Against Lung Cancer

It is said that mesothelioma is linked to lung cancer and it is a good idea to get the help that is deserved when someone feels like they have been diagnosed because of the work that they did for a living. There are many mesothelimo lawyers that are waiting to help you with your situation and will get you the settlement that you deserve.

There are many people that this disease affects. It will take its toll on the entire family. These lung cancer patients deserve to have the respect and the care that they deserve for all their duties while in the work force. It is important that these patients and their families have the necessary information that they deserve to be well informed about the entire process.

Malignant mesothelima is a rare form of lung cancer that is brought on by asbestos. The term mesothelioma is used to describe a cancer tumor, which involves the mesothelial cells of an organ; this is usually the lungs, heart, or the abdominal organs. When a person is diagnosed with this form of disease, a mesothelima lawyer will fight to give them the rights that they so deserve.

A person this is diagnosed with this form of cancer will have a long hard struggle in front of them. For most people, they will not get any better and will have to live with this type of problem for the rest of their life. When someone has to go through that much pain and suffering in their life because their company did not tell them that they were in danger, they will deserve a settlement for their time and their pain.

A mesothelioma lawyer will fight for their patients to have all of their medical bills paid and to have a little extra money to help them with the rest of their life. This is an important procedure that will determine how well you settle out. You need to be confident in your attorney so that the facts can be presented and the client will have a fair and good case.

In some cases the patients will die before the case is settled. In these cases, the families of them will be entitled to the remaining settlement. They will have to live without their family member for the rest of their life due to this terrible form of cancer and they will deserve to be compensated well for that reason. A mesothelioma lawyer will help them fight for what their loved one wanted so much.

In the end, the money and the settlement cannot make what is wrong turn right. It is not going to bring back the loved one. However, it will be telling these companies that they did something wrong and that they did not get away with it. You will be fighting for rights of the workers and the responsibilities of the employers.

Copyright 2006 - Ivar Rudi.

Malignant Mesothelioma - Types, Causes, Stages and Treatment Options By Dave Casey

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancerous tumors originating in the body tissue known as the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a specialized layer of cells that line and protect many internal organs such as the chest and abdominal cavities.

Types of Malignant Mesothelioma

The first type of malignant mesothelioma is called Pleural Mesothelioma or mesothelioma of the pleura. It is the most common type of mesothelioma making up approximately 75% of all mesothelioma cases. The pleura is a thin serous membrane found between the lungs and the chest cavity that provides a lubricated surface preventing the lungs from chafing against the chest walls. It also serves as a protective layer.

The second most common type of mesothelioma is Peritoneal Mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the peritoneum. The peritoneum is a thin serous membrane that encloses the organs of the abdomen. Peritoneal Mesothelioma is a rare form of malignant mesothelioma cancer. This disease accounts for approximately 10% to 20% of all mesothelioma cases. It tends to be a more invasive form of cancer; patients diagnosed with this disease have a shorter life expectancy than if they had attracted Pleural Mesothelioma.

The third and least common type of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium. It accounts for less than 10% of all mesothelioma cases. The pericardium (heart sac) is the serous membrane that surrounds and protects the heart.

There are about 2,200 new cases of malignant mesothelioma of the visceral pleura each year. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose and is rarely curable. The most common symptoms are dyspnea and chest wall pain.

Causes

Asbestos is the predominant cause of malignant mesothelioma of the visceral pleura. The period between the time of exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms is about 20 to 50 years. Because of this late onset, it occurs most commonly in the later years of life. It also occurs more often in men than in women.

Diagnosis

Doctors usually make an incision through the chest wall and insert an instrument called a thoracoscope between two ribs to view the area. Doctors will then do a biopsy to select a tissue sample that can be analyzed under a microscope.

Stages of Mesothelioma

Stage I: The cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity near the lung and heart or in the diaphragm or the lung.

Stage II: The cancer has spread beyond the lining of the chest to lymph nodes in the chest.

Stage III: Cancer has spread into the chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm, or abdominal lining, and in some cases into nearby lymph nodes.

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.

Treatment

Radiation and radiotherapy are used in situations where the cancer is localized at the point of origin. Chemotherapy is used in more advanced stages of malignant mesotheliomas.

Cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic (heated) chemotherapy improves the survival and quality of life for patients with peritoneal metastases (tumors involving the lining of the abdomen).

Surgery is the option used for Stage I malignant mesothelioma. For stages II to IV, treatment by surgery is still evolving.

About the Author:
Dave Casey is a medical writer for Mesothelioma-Adviser.com, a guide for mesothelioma lung cancer victims. Visit the site for informative articles on the causes of mesothelioma, mesothelioma stages and treatment options.