Mesothelioma in West Virginia Personal Injury Cases

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the protective lining of certain organs. The disease is caused by exposure to asbestos. The most commonly affected area of the body is the lining of the lungs and chest. Most people who develop the disease have worked in places where they inhaled asbestos dust or fibers. The disease can begin with shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, anemia, fatigue, coughing up blood, and chest pain due to fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. Often signs and symptoms of the disease may not appear for 20 or more years after asbestos exposure. Typical workplaces where workers have been exposed to asbestos include manufacturers of cement, brake linings, roof shingles, gaskets, textiles, flooring products, and insulation products as well as in construction, industrial, and military sites where such products are used.

No cure exists for mesothelioma. Chemotherapy can improve the survival rate in some individuals. The life expectancy for someone who develops the disease is a limited one. About half will live for another eight to 18 months. About a third may live up to another five years.

Manufacturers and other companies continued to use asbestos in their products and at their sites even after they realized the dangers involved. Thereafter, lawsuits against negligent manufacturers and other companies in regards to asbestos exposure began. The first one occurred in 1929. Other lawsuits followed in Australia, England, and the United States.

West Virginia Personal Injury Firm

Those who are harmed through exposure to toxic substances like asbestos may have grounds for a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the responsible party. The personal injury law firm of Hartley & O'Brien, PLLC has gained a national reputation for its work in representing such individuals. The firm has been representing American workers for 30 years and has succeeded in obtaining hundreds of millions of dollars in legal compensation for its clients. The high level of client service and legal ability of its attorneys has earned them an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating possible.

If you believe you have been harmed by toxic exposure at work, contact the firm to discuss your case with an experienced attorney. You can start by filling out a free case evaluation form at the firm's website at www.personalinjurylawfirmwestvirginia.com.