Mesothelioma – An Overview

Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer, usually found in the lungs, that has inextricably been linked to asbestos fibers. In fact, the story of mesothelioma is really the story of asbestos. Asbestos fibers are tiny particles that can be inhaled by a worker who is exposed to asbestos, or a family member that is exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on clothing and shoes. One of the critical elements of this story is the fact that mesothelioma often develops twenty to fifty years after asbestos exposure.Asbestos has been used in many types of construction materials including insulation, roofing, and pipe fittings. It was used to insulate electrical wiring; was an important component of caulking and joint compounds; was incorporated into flooring and ceiling tiles; auto brakes and engine gaskets. It has great insulating properties for both sound and temperature, is resistant to water and electricity and acts as a flame retardant. Widespread use of asbestos took off in the 1880s. By the 1930s, medical personnel were beginning to recognize a potential link between asbestos and various respiratory problems among people who were exposed to it. A respiratory illness given the name asbestosis was diagnosed in England in 1931. During this period 30s a new form of lung cancer was detected and named mesothelioma, although it was not associated with asbestos until sometime in the 1940s. Also in the 1930s, employees of American asbestos producer Johns Manville produced evidence of high levels of illness in asbestos miners and provided testimony to the extremely dangerous nature of asbestos dust. The company successfully kept both this information and any lawsuits that developed from it out of the public eye. Other U.S. companies also successfully suppressed information about the dangers of asbestos exposure.During the 1950s both Johns Mansville and National Gypsum went to extraordinary lengths to suppress or edit their own research and staff recommendations regarding the dangers of asbestos fibers and the need to protect employees from it. Evidence continued to grow linking ,a mesothelioma and asbestos, as did the lawsuits against asbestos companies. By 1979, asbestos use was virtually banned for use in the United States by the EPA.In the 1970s and 1980s, a series of class action lawsuits representing mesothelioma and asbestosis victims established liability among both asbestos producers and industries that manufactured products using asbestos. Among the crucial points of evidence were multiple actions taken by asbestos producers and users to suppress information about dangers of the substance.Between 1973 and 1984, mesothelioma has tripled among white males. From 1980 to the late 1990s, the annual death rate from mesothelioma in the USA increased by 50% to 3,000. The numbers of people who were exposed to asbestos fibers and the liability assigned to the companies who profited from asbestos has led to multiple bankruptcies among major corporations – among them Johns Mansville and W.R. Grace. Multi-billion dollar trust funds have been established by these companies and others to provide compensation for mesothelioma lawsuit victims who spent careers working with asbestos, while management in the firms were well aware of the dangers deriving from asbestos exposure.

Biomarkers Being Studied for Mesothelioma Treatments A study from the Department of Molecular Pathology at the Polytechnic University of Marche in Acona, Italy recently found that biomarkers within the body may offer early warning signs for mesothelioma victims. The study focused on biomarkers of mesothelioma cancer and found that biomarkers often form before mesothelioma cancer symptoms appear, which may offer early warnings and potentially a successful treatment for mesothelioma cancer patients, according to the study which was published in a June issue of Mutation Research. Studying Biomarkers to Help Mesothelioma Treatment Biomarkers are a type of “biochemically expressed substance” similar to a protein, according to a news report on the study. According to the International Cancer Biomarker Consortium (ICBC), a large-scale research effort is being conducted to better understand how biomarkers act as indicators for several types of cancer including mesothelioma. The large-scale effort is similar, according to the ICBC, to the Human Genome Project and uses an array of researchers from around the world to assist in studying the use of the the biomarkers. The Polytechnic study followed 119 individuals who had been previously exposed to asbestos; of these individuals, all exhibited increased numbers of biomarkers compared to individuals who were not exposed to asbestos. What is Mesothelioma Cancer Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that can develop after an individual is exposed to asbestos fibers or asbestos dust. Once inhaled, the lung begins to form cancerous cells on its lining. The cancer is often described as one of the only preventable forms of cancer especially since individuals are still being exposed to asbestos in America through improper cleanup and disposal methods. Currently, asbestos is found in insulation in homes, apartment buildings, hospitals, offices and schools. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in charge of regulation and cleanup of asbestos, however, it is too costly to remove asbestos throughout the country until an individual becomes exposed to asbestos the risks for developing the incurable form of cancer is dangerous. Additionally, because mesothelioma cancer usually remains dormant for years, it becomes increasingly difficult to diagnose and to successfully treat. Finding Help for Asbestos Related Conditions Like Mesothelioma It is important that individuals who may have been exposed to asbestos to contact a medical professional immediately to assess and potentially diagnose their condition. The sooner mesothelioma cancer can be diagnosed the more successful an outcome will be. In addition to contacting a medical professional it may also be important to contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn about developing a mesothelioma lawsuit, which may result in receiving monetary compensation to pay for expensive mesothelioma medical bills.

Mesothelioma is one of the more rare forms of cancer which primarily attacks the lining of the lung, or the linings of the abdomen or heart. The mesothelium is a lining that covers the majority of your internal organs, hence the name. While the origins of many types of cancers cannot be traced to any specific cause, mesothelioma can be directly traced back to exposure to asbestos or asbestos dust. The use of asbestos in thousands of products and applications increased after World War II and it was only some thirty years later, in the mid 1970s, that the relevant Health and Safety authorities throughout the world restricted the use of asbestos products in industry and in the home. While a number of asbestos products may have been banned, particularly since the mid 1980 %26#39;s , we are still faced with the fact that many buildings built before then contain asbestos products. Some asbestos products are still available today, even though the risk of exposure to the material has been widely reported. There is still no complete ban of this material.We are faced, therefore, with a generation that was not protected from the physical damage caused by asbestos. Millions of workers were exposed to asbestos dust, by working in industries such as shipyards, asbestos mines and mills, the construction industry (particularly carpenters, drywall installers, etc) and many others. In addition, family members of trades people have been indirectly exposed simply by perhaps doing the laundry of their family member, and are consequently suffering with this disease.Symptoms sometimes appear as long as 20 to 50 years after exposure. The mesothelioma symptoms which present themselves are, therefore, sometimes not immediately correctly diagnosed. They can easily be mistaken for more common conditions such as chest or heart problems. The symptoms are generally difficulty of breathing, coughing, chest pains, excessive tiredness or anemia. If the mesothelioma is present in the abdomen, symptoms would include weight loss, stomach pains, and abdominal swelling. If a medical history reflects that the patient had been exposed to asbestos, however long ago, this should be fully investigated. The mesothelioma diagnosis, although sometimes difficult, can be confirmed after a physical examination, chest X-rays, or MRI scans have been completed. A biopsy would be the final confirmation of the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Depending on the location of the abnormality, tissue samples can be taken from the chest, throat, lungs or abdomen. Normally this will be done using advanced medical procedures such as scopes, but if these do not yield the required results, more extensive surgery may be required. Because mesothelioma does not respond well to standard treatments for cancers, such as chemotherapy and radiation, the prognosis is generally very poor, and the disease is terminal. If it is diagnosed earlier, the patient may expect to live for up to five years after diagnosis. Most patients, however, do not live longer than 6 to 18 months after diagnosis. Because of the research done into the damage caused by asbestos and asbestos dust, many families now consult a good mesothelioma attorney, of whom there are a number in Louisiana, who would be able to advise them of their legal position. The initial news that you or a family member have contracted this terminal disease is devastating, and thinking beyond the disease and what it means to you, is almost impossible. However, it is important to understand that you may be able to claim compensation, particularly if you were exposed to asbestos without any knowledge of the physical and terminal damage it was doing to your body. A mesothelioma lawyer, experienced in such matters, will be able to give you sound and objective advice, based on facts and past cases. At a time when you are battling to come to terms with the reality of something you knew nothing about, a good lawyer will become an essential ally and advisor. It is crucial to establish the link between your disease and your exposure to asbestos. Legal firms today are working on an increasing number of cases, where the exposure was sometimes up to 50 years prior to diagnosis. Unwittingly, you may have been carrying the disease for many years. The mesothelioma lawsuit will protect your rights, and will recompense you and your family for your loss. While it may seem inadequate, many families have benefited from the mesothelioma settlement and have been able to recover costs such as medical bills (which can be exorbitant), funeral costs, and loss of income.Mesothelioma is one of the more rare forms of cancer which primarily attacks the lining of the lung, or the linings of the abdomen or heart. The mesothelium is a lining that covers the majority of your internal organs, hence the name. While the origins of many types of cancers cannot be traced to any specific cause, mesothelioma can be directly traced back to exposure to asbestos or asbestos dust. The use of asbestos in thousands of products and applications increased after World War II and it was only some thirty years later, in the mid 1970s, that the relevant Health and Safety authorities throughout the world restricted the use of asbestos products in industry and in the home. While a number of asbestos products may have been banned, particularly since the mid 1980 %26#39;s , we are still faced with the fact that many buildings built before then contain asbestos products. Some asbestos products are still available today, even though the risk of exposure to the material has been widely reported. There is still no complete ban of this material.We are faced, therefore, with a generation that was not protected from the physical damage caused by asbestos. Millions of workers were exposed to asbestos dust, by working in industries such as shipyards, asbestos mines and mills, the construction industry (particularly carpenters, drywall installers, etc) and many others. In addition, family members of trades people have been indirectly exposed simply by perhaps doing the laundry of their family member, and are consequently suffering with this disease.Symptoms sometimes appear as long as 20 to 50 years after exposure. The mesothelioma symptoms which present themselves are, therefore, sometimes not immediately correctly diagnosed. They can easily be mistaken for more common conditions such as chest or heart problems. The symptoms are generally difficulty of breathing, coughing, chest pains, excessive tiredness or anemia. If the mesothelioma is present in the abdomen, symptoms would include weight loss, stomach pains, and abdominal swelling. If a medical history reflects that the patient had been exposed to asbestos, however long ago, this should be fully investigated. The mesothelioma diagnosis, although sometimes difficult, can be confirmed after a physical examination, chest X-rays, or MRI scans have been completed. A biopsy would be the final confirmation of the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Depending on the location of the abnormality, tissue samples can be taken from the chest, throat, lungs or abdomen. Normally this will be done using advanced medical procedures such as scopes, but if these do not yield the required results, more extensive surgery may be required. Because mesothelioma does not respond well to standard treatments for cancers, such as chemotherapy and radiation, the prognosis is generally very poor, and the disease is terminal. If it is diagnosed earlier, the patient may expect to live for up to five years after diagnosis. Most patients, however, do not live longer than 6 to 18 months after diagnosis. Because of the research done into the damage caused by asbestos and asbestos dust, many families now consult a good mesothelioma attorney, of whom there are a number in Louisiana, who would be able to advise them of their legal position. The initial news that you or a family member have contracted this terminal disease is devastating, and thinking beyond the disease and what it means to you, is almost impossible. However, it is important to understand that you may be able to claim compensation, particularly if you were exposed to asbestos without any knowledge of the physical and terminal damage it was doing to your body. A mesothelioma lawyer, experienced in such matters, will be able to give you sound and objective advice, based on facts and past cases. At a time when you are battling to come to terms with the reality of something you knew nothing about, a good lawyer will become an essential ally and advisor. It is crucial to establish the link between your disease and your exposure to asbestos. Legal firms today are working on an increasing number of cases, where the exposure was sometimes up to 50 years prior to diagnosis. Unwittingly, you may have been carrying the disease for many years. The mesothelioma lawsuit will protect your rights, and will recompense you and your family for your loss. While it may seem inadequate, many families have benefited from the mesothelioma settlement and have been able to recover costs such as medical bills (which can be exorbitant), funeral costs, and loss of income.

Understanding the terminology commonly associated with mesothelioma and asbestos while holding a conversation with your doctor or other specialist will help you to relate to what they’re saying and make more informed decisions about how to proceed.

Below are some of the most common terms used when describing, diagnosing or treating mesothelioma.

1. Asbestos

A natural mineral that is commonly used in construction materials or similar products due to its high level of heat resistance and durability. It is a fibrous silicate mineral, and exposure to asbestos over an extended period of time can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis.

2. Asbestosis

A serious health condition in which there is scar tissue present in the lungs as a result of inhaling asbestos dust and fibers.

3. Mesothelioma

A rare, cancerous condition most often caused by exposure to asbestos. This is a malignant cancer tumor found in the mesothelium of the abdomen or lungs.

4. Mesothelium

Tissue which forms a lining around several organs such as the abdomen, and also the chest area. The fluid produced by this tissue helps to protect and mobilize organs.

5. Invasive cancer

A cancer that spreads from one point to another in the body.

6. Epidemiology

Statistics of diseases and their causes among a population.

7. Carcinoma

Tissue that is diagnosed malignant. This is normally a tumor.

8. Tremolite

A type of asbestos which has flexible fibers.

9. Serpentine Asbestos

A type of asbestos which has curly fibers that is of a tiered structure. The most commonly used form of asbestos in the U.S., called “Chrysotile”, and is a type of serpentine asbestos.

10. Pneumoconiosis

Also known as fibrosis of the lungs, where the lungs have been scarred due to frequent inhalation of asbestos.

If you are up to date with the terms and the words when dealing with mesothelioma, it allows you to be better prepared when and if you have to deal with it. If you need to speak to a mesothelioma attorney or lawyer, you will be able to understand some of the terms they use when talking about your case.

Again if you have to see your doctor, you will be able to understand what they are talking about to a certain extent. Mesothelioma can be very complex and confusing for anyone. Throw in the emotions of being involved or at having mesothelioma and everything can become very confusing.

This guide will hopefully help to clear up any confusion you may have.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells of the body. These are the cells that make up the outer lining for the body’s major organs, such as the heart, lungs and stomach. These linings are referred to as the mesothelium and this is how the cancer got its name.

The Peritoneum

The peritoneum is the tissue lining the abdomen. Its job is to protect the abdomens contents. It produces a fluid that acts as a lubricant so organs within the abdomen may move freely. Peritoneal mesothelioma is cancer of the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity. This form of mesothelioma is rarer than pleural mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma

the pleura is the tissue that covers and lines the lungs. These are referred to by the medical community as pleural membranes. The pleura are fibrous membranes and the space between them is the pleural space. The pleural protect the lungs by producing a lubricant that fills the pleural space. This lubricant also allows the lungs to move easily within the chest cavity as we inhale and exhale.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the disease. Since the lungs are so close to the heart, it is almost always affected. The pericardium is the lining found on the outside of the heart and allows it to move freely within the heart cavity.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is caused by unprotected exposure to asbestos and affects those who were put at risk for the last 50 years.

Who Gets Mesothelioma

The disease is most common in males who are between the ages of 60 and 70 years old. These men were constantly exposed to asbestos dust and fiber, which caused the mutation of the mesothelioma cells. Mesothelioma takes years to develop, which means early diagnosis is almost impossible.

Others at risk for mesothelioma are those who lived in the same household with someone who was constantly exposed to asbestos. Men carried asbestos dust and fibers into their homes on clothing. It was then breathed in by family members. This put them at risk of contacting mesothelioma and other diseases related to asbestos years after the fact.

Treatment

The success of treatment for mesothelioma isn’t high. The final stages of the disease are fatal. The earlier mesothelioma is diagnosed, the better the prognosis.

If you or a member of your immediate family has ever been constantly exposed to asbestos in the workplace, be sure to contact your health care professional to find out exactly what your options are. You may be tested for the disease and get a clear bill of health. The sooner you can get to a doctor and receive a diagnosis the better, the court cases take a long time and you may not be around to see the end of it. This is why a quick and clear diagnosis is so important.

Speak to your family and your friends and make sure you have your support network in place. You may be one of the lucky ones and not have mesothelioma cancer. If you are not, you will need all the support you can get.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. However, they may have been been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways. This could include working with asbestos or by home renovation using asbestos cement products or even by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos. The resulting disease is rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs.

Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer.

There are various procedures used for the treatment of mesothelioma. The type of treatment depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient’s age and general health.

A common treatment of the disease is by means of surgery by the removal of part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura, a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

Another method is Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy. This involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found.

Anticancer drugs can be used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. This is known as chemotherapy and involves the administration of the drugs by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Currently, doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen.

Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments.

The Greeks termed asbestos the “miracle mineral” because it was soft, supple and could withstand heat. Miracle, indeed! Unfortunately, scientists have since shown that extended periods of exposure to asbestos can be deadly. You have to wonder how many of the Greeks fell ill late in life due to their exposure to this “miracle mineral.”

Around the end of World War II, asbestos became very popular with manufacturers and builders because of the same principles known to the Greeks. Asbestos is heat-resistant, fire-retardant, has tremendous sound absorption qualities and is very strong. Asbestos has been used in such products as brake shoes for vehicles, joint compound, stage curtains, interior fire doors, insulation, vinyl flooring and adhesives, fireproof clothing for fire fighters and the list goes on.

Prior to this, even dating back to the Greeks, physicians were starting to see a correlation between asbestos workers and medical conditions that were affecting their lungs. In 1898, the British Chief Inspector of Factories indicated asbestos workers ‘easily demonstrated’ health risks. In 1932, the U.S. Bureau of Mines sent a report to Eagle-Picher (one of the largest producers of asbestos) stating that “it is now known that asbestos dust is one of the most dangerous dusts to which man is exposed.”

These types of reports continued until the late 1980s when the U.S. EPA issued its Asbestos Ban and Phase Out Rule. Since then, buildings and products containing asbestos have been reclaimed and the allowable limits on asbestos in the workplace have been regulated to a greatly decreased level. Removing asbestos from buildings now requires heavy protection for both the workers and the area being reclaimed.

Unfortunately, for thousands of people employed in asbestos manufacturing plants and other industries where asbestos has been heavily used, the regulations may have come too late. It may take years, even decades, for the signs and symptoms of asbestos poisoning, or mesothelioma, to appear.

While the asbestos fibers are amazingly beautiful – resembling the snowy white beard of an aging southern gentleman - when inhaled, the sharp fibers (similar to fiberglass) imbed themselves into the lining around the lungs or abdomen and cause the deadly disease known as Mesothelioma.

On the internet, there is a lot of mesothelioma information and reading through various sites will give you so much insight. Mesothelioma is a lung cancer and is also known as asbestos cancer. Even though malignant mesothelioma is uncommon, a certain percentage of people suffer from the disease and this kind is the worse because it responds poorly to therapy. Mesothelial cells can be found on the lining of the chest, heart and abdominal cavity. Therefore, when these cells are abnormally produced, they will increase the fluid as well as create tumors in the cells. The tumors can be non cancerous or benign and they can be cancerous or malignant. It is especially difficult to diagnose the disease.There is mesothelioma information that links asbestos to the disease. There has been conclusive study to show that asbestos will cause the illness. J.C Wagner has documented 32 cases of workers in South Africa at asbestos hills. And each worker confirmed that the exposure of asbestos will give rise to symptoms of the disease. The disease will manifest itself in 3 common places and they are the lungs, abdomen and heart. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the disease that affects the abdomen. Mesothelioma information will tell you who is at risk of the disease. Firstly, due to the association of asbestos to the cancer, people who work around the compound will be at a very high risk. It is said that even little contact will play a major role in ensuring the disease starts and continues.People who inhale the asbestos dust are also at risk and the workers who are more likely to come into contact with the substance are insulators, boilermakers, ship fitters, steel workers, maintenance workers, pipe fitters and brake mechanics. This people can also put their families at risk when they come into contact with cloths or equipment that has been exposed. It is said that most workers do not know they are working with asbestos and it is therefore a responsibility of the company which contracts people to take the necessary precautions including informing the workers to be more careful. There is treatment available and like many other illnesses early detection will ensure that you have a bigger chance of total recovery.There are several factors that will determine whether the disease will be managed effectively. The first is the age of the person and the older the person is, the more difficult it can be to treat although not in all cases. The appearance of the cells under a microscope will be vital. If the illness is responding well to treatment, then there is more hope for the disease to be totally cured. The other most vital factors are the location of the cancer, size and spread. There is so much much mesothelioma information for you to look at. You can get to know what your legal rights are and get the latest updates on the subject. Information will always empower you to make better decisions and know what to expect. There are very many other resources to read apart from the internet.

The role of an Asbestos Attorney is not just playing a legal role for the client. They fight for Justice and to bring peace and compensation to the victim and his family. This task which they accomplish with difficulty is through the use of a complex structure you call as Law and its effigy the Courtroom.

Is Mesothelioma Cancer Preventable?

With proper safety measures in the working environment medical Science proves with certainty that mesothelioma cancer is preventable. Asbestos- free environment can be obtained by the filtration of asbestos dust from the air which go into the lungs and cause the fatal cancer. Thus the mesothelioma tissues which are affected by this dust remain healthy and mesothelioma can be completely wiped out from the planet.

The basic codes of precautionary measures were not followed by asbestos related industries in the past which caused a higher number of asbestos related illnesses. The workers used to toil in an environment full of asbestos fibers and dust. Profit being the primary focus of the company’s safety became the second priority thus aiding the illness related deaths further.Mesothelioma Attorneys who understand this make a point that the disease being highly preventable and thus they help these unwitting victims get justice. How much does this Cost?

Upfront fees are not taken in most of the law firm’s speacilizing in Mesothelioma. The attorneys do understand the nature of the disease and the heavy expenses beared by the client for the treatment and taking into account various factors including the stress a patient faces when dealing with this illness, a mesothelioma attorney won’t charge u upfront. Thus giving a typical patient to stand up and fight for what they have faced and for getting the much needed Justice for their troubles.

New Jersey mesothelioma lawyers Cohen, Placitella %26 Roth, P.C. recently released an updated version of “The History of Asbestos.” This asbestos education tool, written by leading asbestos mesothelioma attorney Chris Placitella, chronicles the strategy of silence adopted by the asbestos industry to keep the public ignorant of the health risks of asbestos exposure.

“The History of Asbestos” is a 25-minute film that investigates the decades of lies, half truths, and deceptions practiced by the asbestos industry. From the first asbestos claim in 1925, to the grossly misnamed Air Hygiene Foundation of the 1930s, and the bankruptcy of the major asbestos companies in the 1980s, it tells the story of the asbestos cover-up and the staggering number of victims it claimed through asbestosis and mesothelioma fatalities. Hidden documents, corporate negligence, and a policy of deception contributed to a conspiracy aimed at preventing asbestos industry workers from learning that asbestos dust could kill them.

Click here to view “The History of Asbestos”.

Asbestos is a carcinogen that was once widely used on construction sites and in products such as insulation, ceiling tiles, and car brakes. Breathing in asbestos causes mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lining around the lungs and other organs. Malignant mesothelioma can take two forms: a cancer of the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma) or a cancer of the membrane that covers the organs in the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma). Malignant mesothelioma is almost always fatal, and even light asbestos exposure can result in cancer.

The New Jersey mesothelioma attorneys of Cohen, Placitella %26 Roth have extensive experience handling asbestos exposure cases and mesothelioma lawsuits. They have been helping New Jersey residents affected by mesothelioma receive much needed monetary compensation for over 35 years. “We fight for them like they are our own family,” says Chris Placitella, nationally renowned mesothelioma lawyer.