Friday, May 15, 2009

New York Asbestos Lawyers

Asbestos is a mineral form of impure magnesium silicate. It is mostly used in large industries as fireproofing material, electrical insulation, building material, brake linings and chemical filters. Asbestos has been established as the sole cause of mesothelioma, a type of cancer found rarely in the general population. It is observed that exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. The state of New York is one of the leading commercial cities of the world and there are a lot of manufacturing, printing and shipping companies in this city. In earlier times, many industries in New York used asbestos- containing materials, and due to the exposure to it, a number of workers were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. New York asbestos lawyers represent people working at the city?s shipyards, powerhouses, plants and construction sites and suffering from diseases caused due to breathing asbestos dust on the job site.

The first claims of damage caused by asbestos exposure, in New York were filed in 1929. That was the time when the dangers of such exposure were first observed. Since then, there have been many asbestos lawyers filing lawsuits on behalf of various workers such as plumbers, electricians, insulation installers and pipe fitters against the manufacturers of asbestos products. Asbestos lawyers charge claims of negligence, design defect and failure to warn against the manufacturers. They have to be necessarily very well experienced in such cases and also be familiar with the manufacturing sites in the area and the materials used at these sites.

Some asbestos lawyers also represent people who are diagnosed with these diseases though they are not exposed to asbestos at their workplace. They help such clients by investigating their case in detail and determining the possible sources of their asbestos exposure.

New York asbestos lawyers endeavor to provide prudent legal advice to their clients and help them earn compensations worth millions of dollars towards the damages suffered by them. These damages include the medical expenses undergone by the workers for the treatment of their illness. There have asbestos lawyers in New York who have managed to get in excess of 250 million dollars in compensation for their clients.

New York Lawyers provides detailed information on New York Lawyers, New York Personal Injury Lawyers, New York Real Estate Lawyers, New York Bankruptcy Lawyers and more. New York Lawyers is affiliated with New Jersey Business Lawyers.

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Massachusetts Asbestos Lawyers

Asbestos is a fibrous form of several minerals and hydrous silicates of magnesium. Asbestos is used in building-construction materials, textiles, missile and jet parts, tar compounds, paints and in friction products such as brake linings.

Exposure to asbestos fibers and dust results in asbestosis, a disease of the lungs, caused by inhalation of asbestos particles. After a latent period of 30 years or more, various cancers, especially lung cancer and mesothelioma, occur. They are diseases of the chest and abdominal lining. Most of the diseases caused by asbestos are not easily treated. Massachusetts' lawyers are legal advisors who fight cases for their clients who have lost their lives due to asbestosis.

Asbestos lawyers are devoted to defending the rights of clients who have been victimized by employers and manufacturers and have been exposed to asbestos exposure. Asbestos lawyers can be hired by a phone call or through the Internet services provided by the Massachusetts lawyer.

Exceptional cases receive extensive treatment and even qualify for a higher settlement. Before any settlement, the claimant should first approve of the settlement. The easiest way to find the right lawyer to fight the case is from colleagues or those who have suffered by working in industries where they were exposed to asbestos and have already filed a lawsuit for compensation. Some asbestos companies may be out of business or have filed for bankruptcy. In such cases the client can still make a claim.

Most of the Massachusetts lawyer companies have an entire department devoted to asbestos cases. They have a team of lawyers, whose combined experience provides the client with a high level of expertise in asbestos lawsuits. These lawyers are committed, experienced and passionate, in providing the most effective legal representation for their clients. Their dedication to excellence is reflected in the results they achieve for their clients.

Massachusetts Lawyers provides detailed information on Massachusetts Lawyers, Massachusetts Real Estate Lawyers, Massachusetts Divorce Lawyers, Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyers and more. Massachusetts Lawyers is affiliated with Louisiana Real Estate Lawyers.

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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Mesothelioma Lawyer - Asbestos Attorney - Mesothelioma Lawsuits & Lung Cancer Information

Mesothelioma is one of the most tragic diseases ever to strike the working man. Due to decades of manipulation, denial, cover-ups, and outright falsehoods by the asbestos industry, thousands of people and their families across the country have had to face the tragedy and heartbreak of mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a fibrous, naturally occurring mineral that has been used for millennia as insulation and fire protection, but it was noted in ancient times that the slaves and workers forced to deal with it usually lived much shorter lives and died of respiratory diseases. 2000 years later, the asbestos industry mechanized the ability to produce this deadly material on a wide scale, and millions of American homes, schools, churches, and offices were filled with this dangerous and deadly material.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining that covers major organs that secretes mucous that allows them to move and function. After people inhale or ingest microscopic yet jagged asbestos fibers, these fibers pierce through the lungs, stomach/intestines, or heart and begin to develop tumors. These tumors take decades to develop, which means by the time they have any symptoms it is too late to treat the disease. Once the mesothelium becomes cancerous, it is usually too late to save the organs it affects, and thus most people die within one and five years after mesothelioma is discovered.

Part of the tragedy of mesothelioma is that the asbestos companies allegedly covered up the dangers of their product, intentionally deceiving their employees because they did not want to expose themselves to public rebuke and governmental investigation.

The affects of this nationwide exposure to asbestos are now being felt in the people that must cope with a terminal mesothelioma diagnosis. Unfortunately asbestos was not only used in homes and other structures, but other asbestos-containing products include:

? Zolonite
? Bendix brake pads
? Raymark brake pads
? Floor tiles
? Clutch plates
? Plaster
? Concrete
? Fire doors

Mesothelioma, and its related disease asbestosis, are terminal diseases. There are no cures for the disease, and doctors can only help ease the pain and suffering of people that must endure this disease. Current cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation have had limited effect with mesothelioma, but new avenues of therapy include:

? Alimta
? Cisplatin
? Onconase
? Veglin
? Tomudex
? Vinorelbine

The fact about mesothelioma is that it is one of the deadliest occupational diseases in the United States. Although there are a number of mesothelioma support groups and clinical trials, a cure is out of current medical reach.

To learn more about hiring a mesothelioma lawyer or to file a mesothelioma lawsuit, please visit our website at http://www.resource4mesothelioma.com This article may be freely reprinted as long as this resource box is included and all links stay intact as hyperlinks.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

How To Choose A Mesothelioma Law Firm When Seeking Compensation For Asbestos Exposure

The person who represents your interest in a mesothelioma case has to be chosen very carefully. The success of your case depends as much on your attorney as it does on the facts presented in the case. Your mesothelioma lawyer should have a good amount of knowledge of laws regarding mesothelioma and at least a working understanding of the disease itself.

A lot of paperwork is required to prove a case of negligence by the company that processed the asbestos which causes mesothelioma so your lawyer has to be able to gather, organize and present all the necessary information well. You also want someone who understands what you are dealing with emotionally, psychologically and physically so that your case is as important to them as it is to you.

Choosing Your Representation
When you choose a lawyer or law firm to represent your case you should be comfortable with all members of the staff who are involved with the case. You should view them as being competent and experienced enough to handle your case. If that is not true, you should rethink your decision to file your case with the firm and contact other law firms to find one you are happy with.

Questions for the Firm
You should ask questions of the lawyers until you are completely satisfied that they are the best team to handle your case.

Here is a list of questions you should ask the attorney(s) interested in handling your mesothelioma lawsuit:
? Does your law firm handle mesothelioma cases or will I be referred to another law firm? If so, what is the name of the law firm that handles my type of case?
? How long have you been involved in handling mesothelioma lawsuits and do you handle other types of medical law? What about toxic substance cases?
? How man mesothelioma cases are currently being handled by the law firm?
? (In the case of an individual attorney) How many mesothelioma lawsuits have you personally handled and what is your success rate in and out of court?
? How many mesothelioma cases has your firm taken to trial and what is the success rate of your trial cases? Are there lawyers on staff who handle the trial cases?
? In settlement cases, who handles the legal proceedings and what is the firm?s success rate with settlements? What is the range of settlement amount and is medical care typically included?

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Monday, February 2, 2009

Asbestos Disposal - Getting Rid Of Hazardous Waste Is Much Easier Today

Now, I am not here to scare anyone about the asbestos issues that has been getting lots of exposure lately. What I would like to express is the ways they are going about asbestos disposal, and what are the consequences thereof.

For many years, asbestos has been used in building materials for it's excelent insulation and fire proofing features. Not to mention the fact that it was also very cost effective. Now, today we are fully aware of the fact that asbestos causes lung cancer, and many people are scared stiff, when they hear anyone speaking of the damage these asbestos fibers can cause.

Much has been regulated now, and the removal of asbestos from your home is to be undertaken by a professional firm, because they practice safe asbestos disposal techniques that will make sure these fibers aren't airborne during the demolition process. The treats for getting chronic asbestos (a lung disease termed asbestosis) is only possible if your exposed to the fibers for a very long period. Low levels of asbestos fibers are in the air, and everyone is inhaling these, but our bodies can fight off low levels of these fibers, so no need to be worried.

Let me give a brief explanation of how sever this problem really is, once your heavily exposed. The Blue asbestos (Crocidolite), the white asbestos (Chrysotile, which is commonly found in buildings) and the brown asbestos (Amosite) are the most dangerous. If sufficient fibers are inhaled, this can lead to another type lung cancer called mesothelioma.

If you feel that you have asbestos in your home, your first choice is to have this material analyzed by an expert, and then let the experts deal with this. The asbestos disposal methods that are used today, are very safe, and there is no need to be alarmed or worried.

Alexander Marlin, is a active writer online, and likes to cover some extreme topics. Read what I have to say about asbestos disposal

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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Asbestos Claims - History, Symptoms And Compensation

Asbestos was once regarded as a wonder substance due to its heat resistant properties. It was, therefore, a widely used material, particularly from the 1930?s ? 1980?s and exposure still continues wherever it is disturbed / removed.

The cost of asbestos claims in the UK could reach ?20 billion in the next 30 years.

Claims can be made by Claimants, even though the exposure was 30 or more years ago, and the past employer(s) has gone out of business.

Claims can also be made for deceased Claimants on behalf of their loved ones/estate.

Successful ?secondary? claims for Asbestos exposure have been made by spouses, children and grandchildren, after they were exposed to harmful fibres on work clothes worn home.

The compensation obtained can, in many cases, amount to well in excess of ?100,000, depending upon the severity of the particular disease.

Asbestos has no respect for socio-economic group or occupation. There are over 1,000 new cases of Mesothelioma reported every year in the UK. It is generally accepted asbestos is the cause.

The types of occupation where exposure can be found/occur include the following:-

  • Asbestos Cement Products Industry (used for strong, inexpensive building materials, eg tiles, corrugated roofing, gutters, water and drain pipes, chimneys etc.
  • Floor tiling industry
  • Insulation and Fire Proofing
  • Carpenters
  • Electricians
  • Power Plant Works
  • Plumbers
  • Roofers
  • Central Heating and/or air conditioning contractors
  • School and Hospital workers
  • Ship workers
Symptoms can include breathlessness and persistent coughing which may cause sleepless nights leading to fatigue. Some sufferers report chest pain and feeling as though a heavy weight is pressing down on their chest, depending upon the particular condition.

There are a number of state benefits available to victims and their carers. A specialist Solicitor can not only pursue compensation claims for sufferers on a true No Win, No Fee basis, but also provide advice and assistance with applications in order to maximise benefit entitlement.

Andrew Bowen is the Managing Director of National Injury Claims - A specialist company helping people claims compensation for personal injury and industrial related illness.

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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Diseases

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a term for several commonly found fibrous magnesium-silicate minerals. Due to their durable and versatile nature, asbestos materials were used widely in construction and manufacturing for most of the 20th century. Today, it is widely understood that asbestos is an extremely harmful substance. However, this was not always known. Even minimal inhalation of these asbestos fibers can develop into serious, and even fatal, conditions. In 1918, The United States Department of Labor issued a bulletin stating that there was an "urgent need for more qualified extensive investigation" into the severe harm caused by asbestos. Nevertheless, many industries kept using asbestos.

For decades, construction workers, vehicle mechanics, shipyard workers, electricians, and others employed in the building trades did not realize the danger, as they were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis. Even now, workers renovating or demolishing old buildings may encounter asbestos. The danger was not limited those who directly handled the asbestos. If a worker had substantial exposure to asbestos, his or her co-worker or spouse also was vulnerable to asbestos-related illness.

Eventually scientific research confirmed the life-threatening risks caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. However, companies still ignored the danger, and continued to make and use products containing asbestos, until it was banned during the latter part of the 20th century. Asbestos was used widely in heavy industry, as well as insulation in hair dryers, electrical wiring, cement, paper, roofing materials, floorboards, and hundreds of other common items. Despite the legal ban on new uses, over one million Americans are endangered by exposure to existing asbestos sources every year.

Asbestos Removal

Asbestos still exists in many older buildings, including schools, hospitals, airports, and factories across Michigan. From skyscrapers to residential buildings, asbestos continues to threaten the health of unsuspecting citizens.

Removal of asbestos is a complex process. Special precautions are necessary, to avoid release of asbestos fibers into the surrounding environment. Otherwise, the asbestos will endanger anyone in the area, who inhales or ingests its odorless and tasteless microscopic fibers. The danger is great, because any amount of asbestos can be harmful. For these reasons, there is a conflict between those who push for removal of asbestos from existing structures, and those who oppose it, if it is unlikely to enter building ventilation systems.

Some companies and government agencies arrange for asbestos removal to prevent public exposure, while others do so to avoid potential litigation. Still other projects are driven by legislation or public outcry for asbestos removal from public buildings, including many older schools across the country.

Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Diseases

Three serious health conditions may result from exposure to even a small amount of airborne asbestos fibers. All three conditions result from inhaling the fibers, which become embedded in the lungs or other parts of the body. It can take years for symptoms of any of these asbestos illness to appear. Some experts believe that no symptoms appear for more than a decade after exposure. In some cases, it takes even longer for the illness to become evident. The following is information about the three major conditions resulting from asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma
The medical profession used to consider this type of cancer as quite rare. While still uncommon, the number of workers diagnosed with mesothelioma has risen. Now, about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are reported in the United States every year. The incidence of this disease is increasing at an even higher rate in Europe. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, usually caused by asbestos fibers that actually penetrate lung tissue. It is also possible for mesothelioma to develop after these fibers penetrate the heart or the abdomen. While doctors have found many different causes for other forms of cancer, the only definitely identified cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.

Asbestosis
Sometimes, this term is used incorrectly to refer to all ailments resulting from asbestos exposure. However, it is actually a very specific condition. Asbestosis (also known as interstitial fibrosis) develops when inhaled asbestos fibers cause scarring of the lung tissue. Over time, this scarring reduces the capacity of the lung. Individuals with asbestosis may suffer disabling lung impairments, and must be monitored closely because they are at increased risk of even more serious asbestos-related conditions.

Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is all too common in our society and has many possible causes. However, there is evidence of a link between asbestos exposure and lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer is even higher for an individual who has been exposed to asbestos, and also smokes cigarettes. Mesothelioma Treatment Options "Staging" is a term that medical professionals use to define the spread and extent of cancers like mesothelioma. In general, the least serious "first stage" only involves the lining of the lung. By the most serious "stage four," cancer has spread to other organs of the body.

Medical researchers continue to improve treatment for mesothelioma. The most common form of treatment is still chemotherapy. With new combinations of drugs, such as pemetrexed and carboplatin, chemotherapy may slow the progression of cancer in some victims. Radiation or surgery is the an appropriate treatment for other mesothelioma patients. In addition, some experimental treatments are yielding promising test results and offer hope for future victims.

Mesothelioma is still regarded as a deadly form of cancer. The average life span after diagnosis is only one to two years. However, the stage of the disease when it is discovered, and an individual's response to treatment are significant factors in determining life expectancy. Due to medical progress, 20% of those diagnosed at an early stage of mesothelioma have at least 5 more years to live.

Mesothelioma Symptoms and Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Men are many times more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This may be due to the higher percentage of men who work in factories and construction, where there is an increased risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. Older men are more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is not surprising, because of the relatively long period of time between asbestos exposure and the onset of this cancer.

Physicians may have difficulty diagnosing mesothelioma, because initial symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest or abdominal pain, can be confused with other conditions. There are tests to rule out mesothelioma, including a thoracoscopy or a peritoneoscopy. If you have symptoms and believe that you may have past asbestos exposure, see your doctor immediately. If you or a loved one suffer from asbestos related cancer or mesothelioma cancer, talk with an experienced asbestos lawyer today.

Attorney Marya Sieminski joined the Law Offices of Sam Bernstein in 2003. She is admitted to practice law in Michigan state courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated magna cum laude from Wayne State University Law School. Marya has worked as a trial lawyer for 10 years and exclusively represented victims in personal injury litigation and in workers compensation claims. She also was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State of Michigan Workers Compensation Qualifications Advisory Committee. The Law Offices of Samuel I. Bernstein, our Michigan mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, and personal injury law firm, has championed the cause of seriously injured Michigan victims for three generations.

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