Mesothelioma Information Washington DC Blog | Parker, Dumler and Kiely LLP

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Victims

There are a variety of financial assistance options available for mesothelioma victims and their families. Our knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyers at Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP have helped countless numbers of individuals receive the maximum amount of financial assistance available to help with medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and emotional support.

Types of financial assistance

Each mesothelioma victim’s situation is unique and will require a thorough understanding of the laws and types of financial assistance available to obtain the maximum compensation. Potential resources include:

• Social security disability benefits
• Worker’s compensation
• Compensation through the asbestos industry
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance denial claims
• Lawsuits against the hazardous workplace

Time is of the essence in filing claims. Each state will have its own Statute of Limitations on the amount of time a person has to file a claim, and the failure to submit a claim in the proper timeframe could result in a forfeit of rights. Our attorneys can expedite your claim(s) and put your mind at ease.

If you are struggling with the expenses of mesothelioma, please do not wait another day to contact our mesothelioma attorneys at Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP.

posted by Erica at 3:42 PM

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Social Security Disability and Mesothelioma

A person can have mesothelioma for years without showing any major symptoms of the disease. Over time those mesothelioma symptoms become more prominent as the disease progresses making daily activities difficult or even impossible to perform. As a result, victims of mesothelioma can often file for federal social security disability benefits to help cope with the financial, emotional and physical hardships this disease can invoke on the victim as well as the victim’s family.

Symptoms of mesothelioma

A person suffering from mesothelioma may experience any number of symptoms with this disease, depending on the type of cancer. Symptoms can include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Abdominal swelling and pain
• Persistent cough
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Nausea
• Feet swelling
• Bowel obstruction
• Fluid build-up
• Anemia

The treatment options for mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and photodynamic therapy. These treatment options can often have additional undesirable side effects that make it increasingly difficult to perform daily functions.

It is not hard to see why mesothelioma is such a disabling disease. Social security disability benefits can go a long way to helping improve a mesothelioma victim’s quality of life.

If you or a loved one is suffering from this disease, please contact our mesothelioma attorneys at Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP to schedule a free consultation. We can assist you in filing for social security disability benefits.

posted by Erica at 3:41 PM

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Mesothelioma Misconceptions

There are a variety of myths surrounding mesothelioma. One of the most common misconceptions is that only people who work directly with asbestos for long periods of time can develop the disease. The truth is that everyone is exposed to asbestos particles at some point in their life, including from:

• A work site or environment
• Drinking water
• Manufactured goods
• Air you breathe
• Natural soil
• Fibers attached to clothing

If these particles are inhaled or swallowed, they do not exit the body but rather begin their attack on the delicate lining of internal organs. As a result, even people who do not work in high risk industries can develop mesothelioma.

The facts

• Mesothelioma is not lung cancer. The disease can attack the linings of the lungs, the heart and the abdomen.
• Medical treatments for mesothelioma and surgical options are available for victims of this disease, but there is no cure.
• Smoking does not cause mesothelioma, but a person with the disease should stop smoking immediately to avoid further complications.
• All forms of asbestos, including Chrysotile, are harmful to individuals.
• Mesothelioma can lie dormant in the body for 20-50 years without generating any specific symptoms.

To learn more about mesothelioma victims’ rights, please contact our expert mesothelioma attorneys at Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP to schedule a free consultation.

posted by Erica at 3:39 PM

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that does not discriminate. Virtually anyone can become exposed to harmful asbestos particles that they inadvertently inhale or swallow.

How much asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma?

It is true that there are certain work environments that have an elevated risk of asbestos exposure, and many victims of this disease were exposed to large amounts of asbestos for long periods of time. However, in some cases it can only take a couple of months for asbestos particles to enter a person’s body and begin to do damage to the linings of vital organs.

There are also cases of people who developed the disease in a second-hand nature. For example, spouses and children of workers who brought home asbestos particles on their clothing can become victims of the disease and may pass off mesothelioma symptoms as a lesser illness.

High risk jobs

The following is a partial list of fields in which workers are at a greater danger of developing mesothelioma:

• Plumbing
• Mining
• Shipbuilding/shipyards
• Electrical work
• Steel manufacturers
• Insulation
• Firefighting
• Construction or demolition jobs
• Automobile repair
• Refineries
• Railroads

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact our knowledgeable mesothelioma attorneys at Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP to arrange a free consultation. We can help you determine if you have an asbestos lawsuit.

posted by Erica at 3:33 PM