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Mesothelioma Patient
A mesothelioma patient is someone who has developed this rare, but deadly, form
of cancer that develops almost exclusively as a result of exposure to asbestos.
A mesothelioma patient develops this disease by inhaling or ingesting harmful
amounts of airborne asbestos fibers. This happens most often in the work
environment, but can occur in any environment where asbestos is present. A
mesothelioma patient has the legal right to seek compensation for their damages,
including pain and suffering, loss of income, and all related medical expenses.
A mesothelioma patient can develop this cancer in the lining of any internal
organ, though mesothelioma most often attacks the pleural tissues of the lungs
or the peritoneal tissues of the abdominal cavity's organs. When a mesothelioma
patient's pleural lung tissue is affected, they may experience shortness of
breath, chest pain, and a chronic cough, though a mesothelioma patient may not
experience any symptoms for several years.
A mesothelioma patient whose peritoneal tissues of the abdominal cavity are
compromised may experience effusions, where the tissues swell and collect fluid.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may not develop for many years, though a
mesothelioma patient may suffer from a painful or swollen belly, bowel problems,
nausea, weight loss, anemia, and/or swelling of the feet.
A mesothelioma patient can be afflicted with this cancer for several years
before it is ever diagnosed because mesothelioma can remain dormant for decades.
Once diagnosed, the prognosis for a mesothelioma patient is bleak. The average
mesothelioma patient lives four to eighteen months after being diagnosed. If a
mesothelioma patient is diagnosed earlier their survival time can increase, with
a fifty percent chance of living two years, and a twenty percent chance of
surviving five years.
A mesothelioma patient is an individual who has been exposed to toxic asbestos
fibers in the last fifty years. Workers in the factory, construction, custodial,
automotive, railroad, and shipyard industries are all at risk for developing
mesothelioma. The family members of workers who unknowingly bring asbestos
fibers home on their person may also be at risk for developing mesothelioma. The
harmful effects of asbestos exposure have been well understood for a long time,
though organizations still choose to manufacture products using this dangerous
material. This material is also present in many existing structures, and can
pose a hazard during renovation and demolition.
If you are a mesothelioma patient that has been exposed to harmful levels of
asbestos as a result of another party's negligence, you may wish to speak to an
experienced and qualified attorney who can help protect and maximize you
interests in a legal case. If a mesothelioma patient dies, a wrongful death suit
may also be an option for loved ones. For more information on the legal rights
and options of a mesothelioma patient, please Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney
who is familiar with other mesothelioma cases
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