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If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer you could be entitled to significant compensation from both the Asbestos Trust Funds and asbestos product manufactures.
Contact us now for a FREE consultation.
Free Case Review
If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer you could be entitled to significant compensation from both the Asbestos Trust Funds and asbestos product manufactures.
Contact us now for a FREE consultation.
Free Case Review
Join renowned pulmonologist Dr. James Pearle in a short review of Peritoneal Mesothelioma, a rarer but equally severe form of mesothelioma that affects the abdominal lining.
Dr. Pearle will provide expert insights into how this form differs from other types of Mesothelioma. Understanding your rights is essential, as exposure to asbestos can lead to significant legal claims against responsible parties.
Peritoneal mesothelioma cancer (MePM) is very rare and represents only 10-15% of the 2,500 cases of all mesothelioma occurring each year in the US. The vast majority of patients with mesothelioma have their cancer start on the outside of the lungs in the pleural cavity (85%).
Peritoneal mesothelioma is named because the cancer starts in the abdominal cavity (peritoneal cavity). It can be aggressive and is often not detected until later stages of the disease. In general, it is easier to treat than pleural mesothelioma, and patients have a better overall prognosis.
The two reasons peritoneal patients may respond better to treatment are that it occurs more often in women (who are more to see a physician) and most patients are significantly younger than those with pleural-based mesothelioma.
In the late 1970s, companies using asbestos in their products or manufacturing processes were required to warn consumers and workers about the risk it posed. Many companies filed for bankruptcy and set aside money for those victims who went on to develop asbestos lung disease or cancer.
Asbestos was so prevalent in military applications that it is estimated more World War II and Korean War veterans died of asbestos-related diseases than died in both wars combined. Although asbestos is seldom used now, many more construction workers or those working in the trades are still exposed to asbestos when they work on buildings or homes built before 1975.
After being exposed to asbestos, the latency period for asbestos-causing damage or cancer is 20-60 years. In other words, the asbestos fibers are in the body for decades before they finally cause any significant damage. Due to this long latency and because workers are still exposed to asbestos when remodeling older buildings, the number of people diagnosed with asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma, has not significantly decreased.
In the late 1970s, companies using asbestos in their products or manufacturing processes were required to warn consumers and workers about the risk it posed. Many companies filed for bankruptcy and set aside money for those victims who went on to develop asbestos lung disease or cancer.
Asbestos was so prevalent in military applications that it is estimated more World War II and Korean War veterans died of asbestos-related diseases than died in both wars combined. Although asbestos is seldom used now, many more construction workers or those working in the trades are still exposed to asbestos when they work on buildings or homes built before 1975.
After being exposed to asbestos, the latency period for asbestos-causing damage or cancer is 20-60 years. In other words, the asbestos fibers are in the body for decades before they finally cause any significant damage. Due to this long latency and because workers are still exposed to asbestos when remodeling older buildings, the number of people diagnosed with asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma, has not significantly decreased.
Since the dangers of asbestos fibers persists even today, experienced asbestos-exposure lawyers are still actively pursuing the companies who hid the dangers to both workers adn consumers.
These cases usually have legal, medical, and emotional costs to the family. We will focus on the medical and legal aspects in another section of our website. The emotional impact can be summed up by a all to common quote we here from our clients: “We had just retired and were ready to enjoy our lives and relax…. It is a bitter pill to swallow”.
Asbestos exposure is the only primary cause of peritoneal mesothelioma. This exposure could be direct or indirect.
The reason asbestos was used in so many products or manufacturing processes is that it doesn’t conduct heat, electricity, or noise. Also, as a mineral, it was cheap and relatively easy to mine.
Because it had many desirable properties and commercial applications, factories, foundries, builders, and manufacturers used asbestos for its insulating properties. Even though they knew it was dangerous, they ignored worker and consumer safety over profits.
Construction workers usually didn’t wear any PPE (personal protective equipment) when they handled asbestos-laced materials. These building materials included:
Builders occasionally used spray-on asbestos and other applicators that were initially considered somewhat safer. However, most builders used chrysotile asbestos because it was cheaper and easier to use. This brittle, crumbly substance almost immediately breaks down and releases asbestos dust into the air, sometimes as workers handle it. A single, microscopic asbestos fiber could cause mesothelioma or another serious illness, like asbestosis.
Shipbuilders used even more asbestos. Many parts of a ship, such as boiler rooms, generate lots of heat. Other parts of a ship, like ammunition storage areas, are highly explosive. Until 1980, the U.S. Navy, like many private builders, used asbestos because it was cheap and effective, and they ignored the health risks.
When actor Steve McQueen was in the Navy in the 1940s, his superiors allegedly forced him to scrape asbestos off pipes on the ship. Mesothelioma killed him in 1980.
Builders occasionally used spray-on asbestos and other applicators that were initially considered somewhat safer. However, most builders used chrysotile asbestos because it was cheaper and easier to use. This brittle, crumbly substance almost immediately breaks down and releases asbestos dust into the air, sometimes as workers handle it. A single, microscopic asbestos fiber could cause mesothelioma or another serious illness, like asbestosis.
Shipbuilders used even more asbestos. Many parts of a ship, such as boiler rooms, generate lots of heat. Other parts of a ship, like ammunition storage areas, are highly explosive. Until 1980, the U.S. Navy, like many private builders, used asbestos because it was cheap and effective, and they ignored the health risks.
When actor Steve McQueen was in the Navy in the 1940s, his superiors allegedly forced him to scrape asbestos off pipes on the ship. Mesothelioma killed him in 1980.
Miners were at risk because of both the equipment they used and contamination from the asbestos they extracted from the earth.
Asbestos mining was legal in the United States until 2002. Mine workers, such as seamen and construction workers, often wore little or no PPE and worked in confined spaces, which magnified their level of exposure.
The Grace Mine in Libby, Montana, is an example of the dangers of cross-contamination. The vermiculite, a mineral used as an insulator, that miners pulled out of the earth was laced with asbestos. W.R. Grace & Company agreed to pay over $20 million to clean up the mine and also agreed to create a victim compensation fund.
Tiny asbestos fibers are only slightly heavier than air, so they float for up to seventy-two hours before they settle somewhere. Fibers could also quickly settle on a worker’s clothes or vehicle. Therefore, people who lived or worked near asbestos hotspots or with asbestos-handling workers are also at risk for serious illness.
Legally, secondary exposure victims have the same rights as primary exposure victims. However, these claims are more complex, which means the victim’s asbestos exposure lawyer needs additional skills.
Pinpointing the exposure source usually isn’t a problem in primary or secondary exposure cases. Typically, an asbestos exposure lawyer compares the victim’s or family member’s work history and then estimates the probable asbestos exposure date.
When multiple defendants are potentially responsible, the cross-claim doctrine usually comes into play. We won’t go into the complexities of this doctrine in this post. Suffice it to say that if multiple parties might have been responsible for an injury, they must fight this issue out among themselves.
Pleural mesothelioma is usually identified due to the accumulation of fluid around the lung (trapped lung disease). The individual will often have a difficult time breathing along with weight loss and fatigue. Since many diseases could cause these symptoms, the cancer mis-diagnosis rate is normally high, especially if the victim has no obvious red flags.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is different. This form of abdominal cancer has some rather specific symptoms that aid the diagnosis process, such as:
If patients show these symptoms, especially if they have a primary or secondary asbestos exposure risk, doctors usually order screening tests, such as X-rays and MRIs. Based on the findings of these tests, a biopsy may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma.
The location of a peritoneal mesothelioma tumor, along with the specific symptoms, makes this cancer more treatable. The most common treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma is a combination of cytoreduction surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).
Cytoreduction is an advanced form of surgery that removes the bulk of cancer cells in your abdomen. The goal for the surgeon is to remove all visible or suspect areas of tumor growth. With HIPEC, surgeons inject superheated chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal cavity to give a chemo “bath” over the affected cancer areas. This dual therapy has given new hope to many abdominal cancer patients, including peritoneal mesothelioma victims.
Further improvements may be on the horizon. Many experts believe immunotherapy could treat peritoneal mesothelioma. Cancer cells outsmart the body. They release proteins to disguise themselves so the body’s immune system doesn’t attack them. Peritoneal mesothelioma immunotherapy blocks these PD-L1 proteins, so the body helps doctors treat mesothelioma.
Each year, thousands of people become seriously ill or die due to the negligence of asbestos manufacturers and the development of asbestos-related diseases. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma, you may have legal options for receiving compensation.
Mesothelioma litigation has helped thousands of people and families receive financial help to cover medical expenses and lost income. Companies that manufactured asbestos-containing materials knew about these hazards as early as the 1920s.
The asbestos product manufacturers and employers knew about the health risks of asbestos and decided not to warn employees or consumers. They have been held liable for damages.
Since mesothelioma is nearly always caused by asbestos exposure, mesothelioma litigation exists because of their unethical actions. The product manufacturers are held liable for “failure to warn,” pain and suffering, lost wages, etc.
Someone who receives a mesothelioma diagnosis has legal options and may seek compensation through mesothelioma litigation. Filing a claim against the responsible entity for your asbestos exposure may result in compensation for the costs. You could get compensation for the pain and suffering associated with asbestos illnesses. The following include some of the expenses you may be able to pursue compensation for:
Someone who receives a mesothelioma diagnosis has legal options and may seek compensation through mesothelioma litigation. Filing a claim against the responsible entity for your asbestos exposure may result in compensation for the costs. You could get compensation for the pain and suffering associated with asbestos illnesses. The following include some of the expenses you may be able to pursue compensation for:
A mesothelioma lawyer will take into consideration the medical, financial, and emotional impacts associated with the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Aside from providing medical records and answering questions regarding their exposure history, most victims do not have a great deal of involvement in their mesothelioma cases.
A good mesothelioma lawyer understands their clients want to focus on their health, mentally and physically, and usually prefers to deal with minimal hassle from the legal proceedings. For this reason, mesothelioma lawyers try to take the burden off the family and handle most aspects of the case.
Two types of lawsuits can be filed in asbestos injury cases. If the victim is alive, they may file for a personal injury claim, which includes pain and suffering, failure to warn, loss of income, as well as other claims. If a family member passes away from an asbestos-related disease, their survivors can file a wrongful death suit. This may also include loss of income, pain and suffering, and costs of care.
Employees of companies that use asbestos are not the only individuals with rights against asbestos manufacturers. Although the majority of mesothelioma litigation cases are between primary asbestos exposure victims and the makers of asbestos-containing products, other groups also have rights. For example, if you experienced secondary exposure and developed an asbestos-related disease because a family or household member worked with asbestos, you could also have a claim.
If you have a quick question about mesothelioma, lawsuits, or anything related to these topics, fill out our form. You’ll receive a response in minutes.
Hope is available for asbestos-exposure victims who develop peritoneal mesothelioma. For a free consultation with an experienced and successful lawyer in your area, please contact us at MesotheliomaAttorney.com or Paul Danziger, Esq. We don’t charge upfront legal fees in these matters and will only get paid if we successfully resolve your asbestos claims
Resources available can only offer basic assistance in understanding the generalities of the mesothelioma litigation process. If you seek legal or medical information, it is always a good idea to call us directly. We have medical, legal and financial experts who can assist you with almost any aspect of your care or legal claims. Feel free to call at any time because we typically have a staff member on call 24/7.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is primarily caused by the ingestion or inhalation of asbestos fibers. These fibers can travel to the abdominal lining (peritoneum), causing inflammation and cellular damage that may eventually lead to cancer
Peritoneal mesothelioma is diagnosed through a combination of imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans, blood tests for specific biomarkers, and tissue biopsies. A definitive diagnosis typically requires a biopsy where a sample of the affected tissue is examined under a microscope.
Early symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pain or swelling, nausea, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel habits. These symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions, which can delay diagnosis.
Currently, there is no cure for peritoneal mesothelioma. However, treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can help manage symptoms, reduce tumor size, and improve quality of life. Early detection and treatment can also help extend survival
The life expectancy of someone with peritoneal mesothelioma varies based on factors such as the stage of the disease at diagnosis, overall health, and response to treatment. On average, life expectancy ranges from several months to a few years, but some patients may live longer with effective treatment.
Treatment options for peritoneal mesothelioma include:
Surgery: Procedures such as cytoreductive surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
Chemotherapy: Intraperitoneal or systemic chemotherapy to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy: Targeted radiation to shrink tumors and alleviate symptoms.
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): A heated chemotherapy treatment applied directly to the abdominal cavity during surgery.
Asbestos exposure leads to peritoneal mesothelioma when asbestos fibers are ingested or inhaled and travel to the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). These fibers can cause chronic inflammation and cellular damage over time, which can eventually result in cancerous growths
Research is ongoing, and new treatments for peritoneal mesothelioma are continually being developed. These include advanced chemotherapy techniques, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and clinical trials exploring novel approaches to treat the disease more effectively
Peritoneal mesothelioma is relatively rare compared to pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. It accounts for about 10-20% of all mesothelioma cases. Despite its rarity, it remains a significant health concern due to its association with asbestos exposure.
There are several support resources available for patients and families dealing with peritoneal mesothelioma, including:
Support groups and counseling services: For emotional and psychological support.
Patient advocacy organizations: Providing information and resources.
Financial assistance programs: To help with medical and living expenses.
Legal assistance: For pursuing compensation claims.
Palliative care services: To manage symptoms and improve quality of life
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