Mesothelioma

Parkersburg, Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington, and Wheeling, West Virginia

Mesothelioma is a rare, malignant form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the thin layer of cells lining the body’s internal organs. Mesothelioma can occur in the lungs, abdomen, or the heart, and while incurable, it can be treated and quality of life can be retained. This expensive treatment can put a serious financial strain of families already suffering from the irreversible affects of mesothelioma. Having an experienced West Virginia mesothelioma attorney on your side can help ensure you and your family receive the compensation necessary to deal with these expenses.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and anyone who has worked in industrial professions over the past 60 years has likely been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. Because mesothelioma can take years to manifest, it is possible that you may develop the disease even if you have not worked around asbestos for over 20 years.

Manufacturers of asbestos were well aware of the danger they were placing workers under for several years before safety precautions were put in place to protect people from exposure. This willful neglect on the part of the companies that manufactured and utilized asbestos has resulted in thousands of personal injury lawsuits over the past few years. Jan Dils and Jim Leach are experienced in helping workers who have been exposed to asbestos receive the compensation they are due for their exposure to this deadly product.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The symptoms of mesothelioma are dependent on where the cancer has manifested. For pleural mesothelioma, or mesothelioma in the lungs, symptoms can include:

• Persistent dry cough
• Persistent pain in the chest
• Frequent shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Lumps under the skin on the chest

For victims of peritoneal mesothelioma, or mesothelioma in the abdomen, symptoms may include:

• Swelling or pain in the abdomen
• Frequent nausea or vomiting
• Frequent diarrhea or constipation
• Unexplained weight loss
• Lumps under the skin on the abdomen

The rarest form of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, or mesothelioma in the heart, may show symptoms such as:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Constant fatigue

Even if you are not displaying any of symptoms of mesothelioma, if you have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to inform your doctor to ensure prompt detection. If detected early enough, treatment options can greatly increase your longevity and quality of life.

If you have been exposed to asbestos on the job in West Virginia or Ohio, please contact the compassionate mesothelioma attorneys Jan Dils and Jim Leach for a free initial consultation, and review of what you may be entitled to.