What is Mesothelioma?

Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and weight loss. Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed at later stages and carries a very poor prognosis, with average life expectancy from the time of diagnosis between 12-21 months depending on the type and stage. There is no known cure for this disease and treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are focused on controlling symptoms and improving quality of life.

The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a mineral fiber that was widely used in construction, insulation, shipbuilding and various manufacturing industries prior to the late 1970s. In most cases, patients diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at some point decades before diagnosis.

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Factors that increase risk of mesothelioma include:

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• Occupational asbestos exposure - Workers in industries like shipyards, power plants, manufacturing, brake repair and construction are at higher risk if safety practices and warnings about asbestos exposure were not followed.
• Secondary or para-occupational asbestos exposure - Exposure from coming in contact with the clothes/hair of workers directly handling asbestos products.
• Residential asbestos exposure - Asbestos fibers released into the air from insulation, asbestos siding or construction materials in the home.
• Radiation exposure - Prior radiation treatment to the chest can slightly increase mesothelioma risk when combined with asbestos exposure.
• Genetic factors - Some people may have increased susceptibility to asbestos fibers causing cellular changes leading to mesothelioma.

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If you think you may have had past asbestos exposure that led to a mesothelioma diagnosis, contact our mesothelioma lawyers in Arizona to understand your legal rights. We offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. Call 800-672-7181 today.

Common symptoms of mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure include:

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• Shortness of breath - Often the earliest symptom related to fluid buildup in the chest or lungs.
• Chest pain and coughing - Can develop as tumors grow and press on the lung or chest wall.
• Weight loss and fatigue - Advanced mesothelioma can cause poor appetite and difficulty swallowing.
• Bowel issues - Abdominal mesothelioma may cause ascites, nausea or constipation.

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Since mesothelioma has a long latency period and non-specific initial symptoms, it is often mistaken for less serious conditions. By the time most patients show symptoms, the cancer is already in later stages and has spread in the body.

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Diagnostic tests for mesothelioma include:

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• Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans to identify abnormalities
• Blood biomarkers testing
• Needle biopsy to extract sample of the suspected tumor
• Laparoscopy or thoracoscopy to directly observe affected tissues
• PET scans to check if cancer has spread beyond the lining surface

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Final confirmation of a mesothelioma diagnosis is challenging and often requires review by a specialist due to the rarity of this cancer.

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Call the knowledgeable Arizona mesothelioma lawyers at Braver Law if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer. Early involvement from a mesothelioma lawyer is crucial for the success of your potential case. Reach out to us at 800-672-7181 for a free consultation.

There is currently no cure for mesothelioma. Traditional cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used to try controlling growth and spread of the disease, but the effectiveness of these treatments is limited with this aggressive cancer.

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Some of the most common treatment approaches include:

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• Surgery - Operations like pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy to remove visible tumors. Surgery risk is high with mesothelioma and recurrence is almost inevitable.
• Chemotherapy - Cytotoxic drugs like cisplatin, carboplatin and pemetrexed attack rapidly dividing cancer cells. Used before or after surgery to prevent relapse and to give temporary improvement in symptoms. Response rates are low.
• Radiation - High energy rays that might shrink tumors or improve symptoms. It is difficult to target tumors without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Used on limited/spread-out tumors.
• Multimodal approach - Different treatments used in combination to try controlling tumor growth to improve prognosis. But many patients are too frail to manage these aggressive therapies.

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If you or a loved one has gotten a difficult mesothelioma prognosis, please call Braver Law's Arizona mesothelioma lawyers at 800-672-7181 to discuss your case in confidence.

Staging of mesothelioma describes how far the tumors have spread and guides treatment planning. Four mesothelioma stages are recognized based on the TNM system:

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• Stage 1 - Cancer is localized to the lining surface of one lung or space around the lungs. This early stage has the best prognosis but is rarely detected. Average survival is 21 months after diagnosis.
• Stage 2 - Tumors have spread deeper into surrounding tissues like the lung, diaphragm or lymph nodes. Average survival is 19 months.
• Stage 3 - Cancer has metastasized to the chest wall or abdominal cavity lining. Harder to treat and control. Average survival of 16 months.
• Stage 4 - Advanced stage with distant metastases to organs like the liver, bones or brain. Extremely difficult to treat with avg. survival of 12 months.

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In general, the earlier mesothelioma is caught, the better chances that treatment might prolong life. But even early stage diagnosis does not ensure long-term survival. Supportive care for pain relief and quality of life is often the priority. Genetic factors also impact individual prognosis.

If you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis at any stage, call Braver Law right away at 800-672-7181 to fight for your rights. Don't delay!

For asbestos-exposure victims diagnosed with mesothelioma, taking legal action is critical even while coming to terms with the medical realities of this illness. A mesothelioma lawsuit helps:

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• Get compensation to cover expensive treatments, loss of wages, pain/suffering
• Hold negligent asbestos companies legally accountable
• Recover compensation for family members after patient's death
• Give patient peace of mind regarding family's financial future

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Options like personal injury claims, asbestos trust claims, VA disability benefits and social security disability are available to support mesothelioma patients. An experienced mesothelioma law firm understands the legal landscape and works tirelessly across these avenues to maximize compensation.

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Let Braver Law help guide your family through this difficult situation. Contact our Arizona mesothelioma lawyers today at 800-672-7181 for a FREE consultation on your legal options.

Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is a complex legal process with strict deadlines. It allows patients who developed cancer after asbestos exposure to hold one or more companies responsible for failing to protect them from harm. An experienced mesothelioma law firm understands exactly how to file, investigate, negotiate and litigate these cases.

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Steps involved in filing a mesothelioma claim include:

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• Identifying all companies responsible for past asbestos exposure
• Collecting evidence like medical records, employment history, eyewitness accounts
• Determining which claims to bring - personal injury, wrongful death etc.
• Calculating full scope of financial and personal damages
• Filing claim(s) before legal time limits run out
• Willingness to take case to trial if fair settlement not offered

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Having a knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer in Arizona on your side levels the playing field against massive corporations. Do not leave money on the table or make legal missteps during such a challenging period.

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Contact the dedicated team at Braver Law to discuss your potential mesothelioma case today! Call 800-672-7181 for a free case evaluation now.

If a mesothelioma lawsuit results in a favorable verdict or settlement, it can provide much needed financial support for medical bills, household expenses and loss of income. Other crucial damages that skilled mesothelioma lawyers fight to recover include:

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• Future medical costs & life care expenses
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of spousal consortium
• Psychological counseling
• Funeral and burial costs
• Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence

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Having an experienced asbestos attorney maximize your compensation is key. Call the mesothelioma legal experts at Braver Law now at 800-672-7181 for a free consultation on settlements.

Because mesothelioma has such a long latency period, many specialized statutes of limitations apply to these cases so patients don't lose legal rights before becoming aware of their illness. This means strict filing deadlines still apply based on:

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• Date of first asbestos exposure
• Date patient was diagnosed with mesothelioma
• State where exposure occurred
• State where the lawsuit is filed

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For example, in Arizona, the statutes are:

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• 2 years from the date of diagnosis to bring a personal injury claim
• 3 years from the individual's death to file a wrongful death suit

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These limits can be as short as 1 year in some states or situations. Missing the cutoff permanently forfeits compensation and accountability. Having an attorney track these complex deadlines is critical.

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Call Braver Law immediately at 800-672-7181 if you have mesothelioma. Do NOT lose your chance for maximum compensation. We will urgently file claims to protect your rights!

Selecting the right mesothelioma attorney is extremely important to get maximum compensation and proper guidance during an overwhelming period. Key credentials to consider in a lawyer include:

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• Decades of experience with asbestos-related lawsuits
• Member of prestigious mesothelioma trial groups
• History of delivering high value recoveries
• Resources to handle complex cases efficiently
• Commitment to compassionate client care
• No upfront costs or payments (we work on contingency fees)

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Let us help get justice for your family. Call Braver Law now at 800-672-7181 to schedule a free case evaluation and see why clients trust us.

Pursuing civil action against asbestos companies requires significant investments of time, legal and investigative resources. However, at Braver Law, there are NO UPFRONT COSTS for our services. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect if you recover compensation. All case expenses and fees come out of final settlement or award.

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This ensures anyone harmed by asbestos exposure can fight for fair compensation without worrying about affording quality legal help. We level the playing field against massive corporations so you and your family can focus on healing.

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Talk to our caring Arizona mesothelioma attorneys about how contingency agreements give clients financial peace of mind during litigation. Call Braver Law now for a free case review at 800-672-7181.

Arizona has a long history of asbestos mining/use and higher than average mesothelioma rates. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this cancer due to asbestos exposure in AZ, teaming with an experienced local mesothelioma law firm is critical to navigate the state’s legal landscape.

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Key benefits of pursuing your claim with Braver Law’s network of mesothelioma lawyers include:

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• In-depth knowledge of state liability laws and filing processes
• Established record of success with AZ asbestos lawsuits
• Ability to bring action against multiple defendants
• Courtroom experience and respect of AZ judges
• Compassion for Arizona families affected by this cancer

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Let Braver Law help you seek justice. Contact us at 800-672-7181 to schedule a free consultation on making an Arizona mesothelioma claim today!