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

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was mined for use in a variety of products during the twentieth century. Due to its strong insulation qualities, it was widely used for decades in products that required temperature transfer resistance or heat containment, especially home and construction products.

In 1980, the federal government banned the use of asbestos-containing products due to evidence that these products led to an increased risk of mesothelioma and other rare forms of cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, any product containing 1% or more asbestos is considered to be an asbestos-containing product.

The peak years for asbestos usage in products were 1950-1975. Its fibers mirrored cotton and wool in softness, yet it is significantly more flame and acid resistant than these other materials. As a result, asbestos was frequently used in fireproof garments. Many gas masks also contained asbestos.

Its temperature and heat resistant properties made asbestos a common material used in insulation for:

• Pipes
• Boilers
• Electrical products

Many vehicles used asbestos in brake linings and clutch pads. The construction and shipping industries also relied heavily on asbestos for products such as:

• Cement pipes
• Packing
• Jointing
• Gaskets
• Floor and ceiling tiles
• Paneling
• Roofing shingles
• Asphalt coats and sealant

If you have developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure at work, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. The experienced Maryland asbestos lawyers at Parker, Dumler & Kiely LLP have recovered millions of dollars in damages for asbestos and mesothelioma victims. We have the skills and resources to handle these complex personal injury claims.

If you have an asbestos or mesothelioma claim in the Baltimore, Maryland or Washington, D.C. area, please contact our Maryland asbestos lawyers today to schedule your initial consultation.

Asbestos has permeated just about every aspect of the construction industry. The toxic material was widely used throughout the middle part of the twentieth century during many phases of commercial and residential construction projects. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure has caused many construction workers to develop mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive form of cancer.

Mesothelioma has a long latency period and often takes between 20 and 50 years to develop after initial exposure to asbestos. As a result, many construction workers who came into contact with asbestos decades ago are now first developing the disease. Many of these people are senior citizens and most likely have not worked in the field for years.

When asbestos fibers are released into the air, people working in the vicinity will inevitably inhale the toxic substance, unless they are wearing protective gear. Unfortunately, for decades, construction companies did not provide their employees with the proper gear to prevent the damage caused by asbestos exposure. As a result, construction workers have been placed at a vastly above average risk of developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos fibers will become lodged in your mesothelium, the membrane surrounding your internal organs and lining your body cavities. Over time they become malignant, resulting in mesothelioma. This rare form of cancer most commonly affects the chest wall lining and the lungs, although it can also affect the stomach or heart. Mesothelioma patients generally have less than two years to live once diagnosed.

If you have worked in the construction industry, it is crucial that you inform your doctor so that you can receive the proper testing for mesothelioma.

The Washington, D.C. asbestos personal injury lawyers at Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP have recovered millions of dollars for mesothelioma victims over the years. These claims are highly complex, and it is essential that you work with a law firm specializing in this area of personal injury law.

If you have a mesothelioma claim in the Baltimore, Maryland or Washington, D.C. area, please contact our Maryland mesothelioma lawyers today to schedule your initial consultation.

In recent years, asbestos litigation has become one of the most rapidly growing areas of personal injury law. There are currently more than 200,000 asbestos and mesothelioma claims pending in state and federal courts, and tens of thousands of new asbestos claims are filed every year. However, it took quite some time before asbestos litigation began to show results for injured victims.

The first asbestos claim was filed in 1966 by Claude Tomplait in Beaumont, Texas. There were eleven manufacturers of asbestos-containing products listed as defendants in the claim. In 1969, Tomplait's case went to trial, and it only took one week for the jury to return a verdict in favor of the defendants.

Later in 1969, one of Tomplait's co-workers filed a similar lawsuit after developing an asbestos-related disease. However, in this case, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the injured victim, awarding him approximately $80,000. This victory opened the door for other asbestos victims across the country to file claims seeking compensation for their injuries.

In 1974, Reba Rudkin won a precedent-setting asbestos lawsuit against his employer, the Johns-Manville manufacturing plant. Rudkin developed asbestosis after 29 years of employment at the plant. Normally, his damages would be covered by workers' compensation law. However, the courts ruled that Johns-Manville could be held liable on fraud and conspiracy charges after evidence was presented that the company had been suppressing knowledge of the dangers of asbestos from their employees since the 1930s.

In 1981, the California Supreme Court upheld the ruling allowing Johns-Manville employees to sue the company over asbestos-related injuries. Faced with a multitude of lawsuits, Johns-Manville filed bankruptcy in 1982. Many other asbestos companies would be forced into bankruptcy shortly afterward.

During the 1980s, several medical and scientific studies were released indicating that mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions could be contracted by asbestos exposure at places where these materials were used for purposes such as insulation. This expanded the scope of asbestos litigation to include victims exposed to the substance while working in:

• Shipyards
• Refineries
• Railroads
• Power plants
• Construction jobs

Over the past 40 years, there have been more than 730,000 asbestos claims filed resulting in billions of dollars in damage awards. Due to the complex nature of these claims, it is important to work with a law firm that specializes in asbestos litigation to ensure the greatest likelihood of success for your claim.

The Baltimore asbestos lawyers at Parker, Dumler & Kiely have represented many indiduals who have developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases at their worksite. We have the skills, resources, and experience needed to hold the negligent parties accountable for your injuries. Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements for asbestos victims.

If you have an asbestos claim in the Baltimore, Maryland or Washington, D.C. area, please contact our Baltimore asbestos lawyers today to schedule your initial consultation.

Recent advances in treating mesothelioma offer new hope to its victims and their families. Dr. David Sugarbaker is Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital. His treatment has improved the survival rates of mesothelioma patients under his care significantly. Mesothelioma attorney Matt Kiely can advise you about care options and whether you might be eligible for a settlement to pay for good care.

Until a cure is found, living longer with this disease makes living well increasingly more important. First, accept the fact of your disease and immediately arrange for your medical and emotional care. Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is a tremendous shock.

Involve your family and friends in your life, and maintain as normal a routine as possible for as long as possible. Don’t forget the many benefits that come from regular exercise.

As you become more dependent up on others to help you with your daily tasks, be sure to involve people doing what they do best. For example, if someone loves cooking, ask them to prepare and freeze meals for you. Have others shop, clean, do laundry, assist you with paying bills, take you to the doctor, or whatever you need done.

Try to stay as socially active as possible. Maintain your hobbies and usual activities as much as you can. Your involvement with others will help keep you hopeful and upbeat. Depression and anxiety are always ready to dampen your hopes, but with so much progress being made, you never know when a cure or life-lengthening improvement will be the one that benefits you.

For a no-cost evaluation of your claim to please contact the experienced mesothelioma lawyers at Parker, Dumler, and Kiely, LLC in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Traditional treatment for mesothelioma involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, palliative care or a combination of these. The specific treatment chosen is based upon the mesothelioma disease stage, as well as whether it is intended to remove or destroy the cancer or if it is palliative for comfort, pain relief or to reduce other symptoms and complications.

Surgery

Surgery is an option for removing the tumor, directly. Surgery may also treat mesothelioma symptoms and complications by removing membrane or lung tissue that may develop tumors at a later time.

Thoracentesis and pericentesis are minor surgical procedures to draw fluid and infectious material out of the pleural or peritoneal space. Fluid buildup is a complication caused by inflammation or infection resulting from the tumor irritating nearby tissue.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, can be delivered by directing radiation (X-rays) directly to the affected area, or by injection of a radioactive solution via intravenous injection (IV).

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy technically refers to any medication (chemical) given as a treatment. Under chemotherapy come several medication classifications: Cancer killing drugs, antibiotics to treat secondary infections, and pain relievers. Chemotherapy can be administered by pill or IV. Technically, radiation therapy administered by IV could be considered chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has been used successfully in conjunction with specialized light therapy to make cancer cells more susceptible to light as a method of killing cells.

Palliative Care

Palliative care relieves pain and symptoms. While palliative treatment is not curative, it could be administered in conjunction with curative treatments to alleviate pain, shortness of breath (SOB), anxiety, depression, fatigue, loss of appetite or gastrointestinal problems.

Palliative care can be surgical or chemotherapeutic intervention. It may include draining fluid, treatment to improve breathing and relieve shortness of breath, pain pills, exercise, behavioral modification (breathing techniques, biofeedback), acupuncture and other approaches.

The experienced mesothelioma lawyers at Parker, Dumler, and Kiely, LLC in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. invite you to please contact them for a free evaluation of your claim.

Asbestos, a known carcinogen, poses a threat to anyone who works directly with or around its loose fibers, whether in the workplace or in private life. Employers are required by government regulations through agencies such as OSHA, EPA, and Workers' Compensation laws to provide protection to employees. These protections aren't a trade secret, and if you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can protect yourself from asbestos by taking the time to learn a few techniques. The danger from asbestos arises when the fibers are airborne, so the goal is to minimize the amount of dust you create.

Some of the pointers you'll find at the link above are summarized here. Dust can land on your clothing, in your hair, and in your food, drink, and even on cigarettes, so don't put anything in your mouth in the presence of dust.

Other recommended protections are:

Working with dampened material will reduce dust.
Working with hand tools gives you more control over dust than working with power tools.
Wear an appropriate mask that will filter particles smaller than asbestos particles (FFP3 type), wear disposable coveralls, including boot covers and a covering for your hair.
Use an appropriate vacuum to clean up.

Working with certain materials without a license is a serious consideration for anyone renovating their home. Many dangerous wall, ceiling, and insulation materials are commonly found in older buildings. Deterioration from aging creates an exposure risk whether or not they are repaired. Find out which constructions materials are safe to repair, and which are best left to the professionals. You should consult a licensed professional before you begin any renovation.

Please contact the law offices of Parker, Dumler, and Kiely, LLC to learn more about asbestos protection laws and your rights in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Asbestos (Greek for "inextinguishable") was once touted by ancient Greeks as the "miracle mineral." The Greeks used asbestos for just about everything from clothing to household items to building materials. But they, like us, learned too quickly that this mineral had a dark side when they found that slaves who worked with the "miracle mineral" were dying of lung diseases caused by asbestos.

History repeated itself when, in 1879, an asbestos mine in the Canadian Appalachians opened, followed shortly by many the opening of many more mines throughout North America. Asbestos, the "miracle mineral" reigned for another 100 years until 1979 when regulatory agencies began restricting its use. By 1990 U.S. laws prohibited any new uses of asbestos, but still allowed its use in products that had previously been approved.

Because of its deadly nature–and the rapid rise in lawsuits–most manufacturers either discontinued or severely limited asbestos use in products where alternative materials could be substituted. Prior to this time mining and manufacturing companies knew of the dangers of this material. Many blatantly ignored the warnings and continued to subject employees to the deadly mineral without informing them of the dangerous exposure or offering any protections from it.

If you have been exposed to asbestos because of a negligent employer, please contact the law offices of Parker, Dumler, and Kiely, LLC serving clients in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.