Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:47:06 -0800

Lung Cancer Awareness Month!

November is the month to raise lung cancer awareness to all! Although we may not all know someone with lung cancer, it is a disease that is affecting many today, and the more we know about it, the more support we can be for those who need it.

The Lung Cancer movement began in 1995; people began to raise awareness because the disease was becoming more well-known and more prominent. More people die from lung cancer in the United States than any other cancer, and this is true for both men and women. Here are what some recent statistics state:

In 2008:

* 208,493 people in the United States were diagnosed with lung cancer, including 111,886 men and 96,607 women.

*158,592 people in the United States died from lung cancer, including 88,541 men and 70,051 women.

Are you concerned about lung cancer?

There are several main risk factors that contribute to lung cancer, or increase your risk.
Those main contributing factors are:
*Smoking tobacco
*Radon exposure
*Asbestos exposure
*Regular exposure to second-hand smoke
*Military Service (Agent Orange exposure)
*Age
*Environmental exposure/ Industrial chemicals
*Health related issues
*Family history

Exposure to Asbestos can increase the likelihood of contracting lung disease. The Mandelbrot Law Firm/Asbestos Legal Center can help to bring some compensation to you or your loved ones. Common jobs/places one may contract asbestos are: shipyards, Military, Navy, insulators, carpenters, sheet metal workers, etc.

If you or someone you know feels you may have lung cancer, specifically from expose to asbestos, contact the Mandelbrot Law Firm/Asbestos Legal Center and we may be able to help you.

There are many different ways you can help to raise awareness or to contribute to lung cancer research. You can donate money, and/or participate in the many events that are taking place this month. There are many Lung Cancer Awareness support groups and services available as well.

Exposure to Asbestos: When are we at risk of being in contact with it?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:20:47 -0800

Asbestos can ruin the lives of people who become sick with one of the many Asbestos- related diseases. Most people are exposed to asbestos while at work, which unfortunately, is where we spend most of our time. Being a great insulator, asbestos is often used as insulation in buildings and remains in many buildings today because it is more dangerous to take it out. Taking it out would cause the small asbestos fibers to become airborne which could then cause more harm than good. Now that asbestos is known to make people fatally ill with diseases such as Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, and Asbestosis, help is available to compensate victims of asbestos disease.

In a current news article from the United Kingdom's Ponteford and Castlford Express, a 67 year old woman was exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with Mesothelioma from her five years of working as a Tailoress in a factory. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Although the woman, named June Preston, worked in the factory for a short five years, it was plenty of time to come into contact with the tiny asbestos fibers that lodge into the lungs. Sadly, in March of this year, June passed away due to her exposure to asbestos. Her husband is currently seeking compensation for her death.

Asbestos is found in many factories and is extremely common in certain materials used in construction or similar jobs. It is said that in most big cities, you can find the small asbestos fibers in the lungs of the people who live there. Not all of those people will become sick, but those who have had enough exposure may. There are many jobs, job sites, and professions that can make your risks of contracting an asbestos related disease much higher than others such as:

Shipbuilding
Sheet metal worker
Power plants
Construction- they use products that contain asbestos
Manufacturers of asbestos products
Pipefitters, steamfitters, boilermakers, refractory workers
The Textile Industry- asbestos may be woven into the fabrics
Auto-Repair shops- asbestos was used in brake pads
Military/Navy veterans- exposed to asbestos products

If you or someone else you know has become ill with Asbestosis, Lung Cancer, or Mesothelioma and has worked at one or several of the sites listed above, you may have a possible asbestos related claim.

Asbestos Compensation for Victims

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:04:10 -0800

Exposure to asbestos can cause various forms of diseases from asbestosis to various forms of cancer including mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos often occurred in construction trades or industrial sites such as shipyards, refineries, power plants, manufacturing plants, foundries, paper mills, military bases and ships. Additionally, many wives were exposed through their husband's occupational exposure to asbestos through dust brought home on their work clothes and performing cleaning and laundry in the family home.

Asbestos diseases have a long latency period between exposure and diagnosis. In many cases, the latency period can be up to 40 or 50 years. Many asbestos workers from the 1940's through the 1980's are just now showing signs of illness and are being diagnosed.

Asbestos manufacturers knew the dangers of asbestos as early as the 1920's but actively conspired to keep their knowledge of the hazards of asbestos secret. The dangers of asbestos were uncovered in the late 1970's after the government stepped in. Many asbestos manufacturers, suppliers and distributors are now willingly negotiating settlements for asbestos victims or voluntarily filing for bankruptcy protection to avoid further lawsuits and instead compensate victims through an Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust.

Today, there are more than 50 active Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts established with many more to follow.

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease you need to act quickly to make sure you take care of your medical needs while meeting your financial obligations from any treatment you receive. Compensation from asbestos manufacturers is one way to ease your financial concerns over your cost of treatment and securing your family's future.

You should contact an asbestos attorney as soon as possible for the following reasons:

1. Mesothelioma is still considered a relatively rare cancer and it is important to receive a second opinion to properly consider your treatment options. Mesothelioma specialists are rare and it may be necessary to travel for these opinions and/or treatments. An asbestos attorney can advise you.

2. Asbestos diseases are subject to the Statute of Limitations, varying by State. In most cases, the Statute of Limitations begins on the date of your first indication of an asbestos disease and expires between one and five years from this date. If you wish to file an asbestos lawsuit or seek compensation from Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts, it is important you seek legal assistance immediately.

3. Much of an Asbestos Lawsuit or Asbestos Bankruptcy claims are based on what you can recall and details of your work history. If you became too ill or pass away before claims are filed, it would make your case much more difficult to establish how, when, where and to what products you may have been exposed.

For more information on obtaining compensation from the Asbestos Industry, contact an Asbestos Attorney today.

Fourth of July Fireworks Information From the Asbestos Legal Center!

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:59:51 -0800

At the Asbestos Legal Center, we are really proud about the fact that we represent so many veterans, and their families, who have given so much in the service of our great country. Today, we just wanted to take a moment, to express our appreciation as we approach the 4th of July, and provide some information to make it easier for everyone to get out and enjoy the fireworks. Listed below is the firework celebration information for locations near some of the military stations located in California. We hope it is helpful.

In Coronado, the 4th of July celebration begins with a 15K run/walk that starts a 9:00am a North Beach. At 10:00am, a two hour parade will occur at Orange Ave, starting at First Street and ending at Churchill Place. The Fireworks celebration begins a 9:00pm, and will be displayed over Glorietta Bay.

The Fireworks display over San Diego Bay also starts at 9:00pm. The fireworks will be fired from barges located all over the Bay, including Harbor Island, Bay off Shelter Island, Chula Vista, and North Embarcadero.

At Camp Pendleton, the fun for service members and their families will being at 10:00am at Del Mar beach. There will be live bands, food, and kids activities. The fireworks begin at 9:00pm. Military ID is required for admittance.

The Party at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach starts at 10:00a.m., and runs until 10:00pm. Local bands will provide the crowds with entertainment starting at noon. The event has a ticket price of $20 for adults and $10 for kids, however this includes a BBQ meal and beverage. Fireworks start at 9:00pm.

In Los Angeles, one of the biggest 4th of July Celebrations will be occurring at the Rose Bowl. The parking lot opens at 10:00am, the food stands will start serving at 2:00pm, and the stadium opens at 6:30pm. The fireworks show begins at 9:05pm.
Ticket prices are $13, though active military with ID and kids under 7 are free. Parking at the event costs $20.

The San Jose 4th of July Fireworks Celebration will be occurring at Kelly Park, courtesy of the minor league baseball team, the San Jose Giants. The fireworks start immediately after the game, at approximately 9:30pm.

In Alameda County, the County Fair is occurring from July 1st through July 19th.
The Fireworks display is occurring on July 6th.

There are no Fireworks in Oakland this year, but there is still is plenty of fun occurring throughout the day at Jack London Square. There will also be fireworks on July 3, after the Oakland A's game at the Coliseum, at approximately 10:00pm. Tickets to the game are $15.

Finally, in San Francisco, fireworks are set to be fired of are barges located in the proximity of Pier 39 at 9:30pm. The waterfront from Aquatic Park, Ghiradelli Square, and along Fisherman's wharf are some of the best locations to enjoy the show.

The Asbestos Legal Center is so proud of our clients who served in the military defending our country, and who now are courageously battling against mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, would like to wish them and their loved ones a safe and enjoyable 4th of July.

What Does The Obamacare Victory Mean To Mesothelioma Patients and Asbestos Victims?

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:58:26 -0800

On Thursday, October 28, 2012, in a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Obama's Administration's universal healthcare coverage legislation, also know as Obamacare. The law will make it illegal for insurance companies to decline coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions. The full power of the legislation will not be enforced as law until 2014.

According to estimates based on data collected in 2010, approximately 49.9 million Americans are living in the United States without health insurance. In March of 2012, the Asbestos Legal Center, a law firm representing mesothelioma patients and victims of asbestos related disease, estimated based upon the mesothelioma incidence rate for the general population, that as many as 16% of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma don't have health insurance.

The Obamacare ruling on it's face, seems to suggest that patients suffering from Mesothelioma and asbestos related disease who don't possess health care coverage, should be able to purchase medical insurance to cover their healthcare needs after diagnosis. As malignant pleural mesothelioma is a disease typically associated with a nine month survival rate and costly medical treatments, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the ruling appears to be gigantic step towards extending the life of uninsured patients. But unfortunately patients have to wait until 2014 to get this help.

Until the law goes into effect in 2014, there are still options Mesothelioma patients without healthcare coverage can pursue, to pay their medical bills.

Veterans of the United States military suffering from asbestos related diseases should go to their local Veterans Administration Hospital, and pursue coverage through the Veterans Administration. Unfortunately, many of our service men and women were exposed to asbestos onboard U.S. Navy ships, and during their military service.

Another option mesothelioma patients without healthcare coverage can choose to obtain medical assistance, is to volunteer to participate in clinical trials. Given that the malignant pleural mesothelioma incidence rate is low in the general population, researchers have difficulty finding patients to work with to test new procedures and drug regimens. Often times there will be funding available to pay for travel related expenses and the medical care associated with the clinical trial. Mesothelioma patients without health care coverage should contact their local hospital and ask for information about clinical trials. There are always risks associated with clinical trials. That being said, many clinical trials for mesothelioma patients often have gone on for great lengths of time, and prior to entering a clinical trial a patient can ask for safety and efficacy data the trial has collected.

Still another option that mesothelioma patients can pursue to obtain funds to cover their medical bills, is to seek compensation in the tort system and bankruptcy courts.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is considered a signature disease, meaning that is only has one cause, exposure to asbestos. Millions of dollars have been set aside in bankruptcy trusts, for individuals exposed to asbestos contained in the products of bankrupt companies. Moreover, individuals can file lawsuits against companies that are still in business, who caused their injuries. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma should

W.R. Grace's Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Delayed Pending Appeals

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:59:52 -0800

Victims of asbestos related disease caused by exposure to W.R. Grace products may have to wait longer to receive compensation from the W.R. Grace Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust. Although the company has been in bankruptcy for eleven years, appeals may still be filed up until July 11th, 2012, contesting the U.S. District Court's confirmation of the company's reorganization plan.

From 1963 until 1990, W.R. Grace operated large scale vermiculite mines in Libby, Montana. The vermiculite W.R. Grace mined was used in production of it's product Zonolite attic insulation. It is estimated that as many as 35 million businesses and homes were insulated with Zonolite attic insulation between 1920 and 1990. However, unbeknownst to the general public, the vermiculite being mined by W.R. Grace at Libby was contaminated with asbestos.

In 2005, W.R. Grace and 7 executives at the Libby, Montana site, were indicted and faced prosecution from the U.S. Department of Justice for "knowingly" harming the people of Libby, Montana, and concealing information regarding the health hazards associated with it's mining operation. According to the indictment, over 1200 Libby residents were suffering from an asbestos ailment. The case went to trial in 2009. Ultimately the company was acquitted in criminal proceeding that lasted over four years with appeals reaching the Supreme Court.

W.R. Grace sought bankruptcy protection in 2001. The company has faced over 270,000 lawsuits stemming from asbestos related claims, with approximately 120,000 cases still unsettled. It was alleged by the Justice Department, that prior to filing for bankruptcy, W.R. Grace illegally transferred four billion to five billion to other companies, to shield it from the bankruptcy court. Thereafter the Court ordered approximately one billion dollars be returned to the company coffers.

It is anticipated that there will be many more claims filed with the W.R. Grace Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust, by individuals who were exposed to Zonolite vermiculite contaminated with asbestos, and have since developed asbestos related diseases.

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that expands with the application of heat. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is highly resistant to heat, and is virtually indestructible. Due to it's heat resistant and strength properties, asbestos was widely used in insulation and construction materials for the greater part of the twentieth century. Asbestos was used in the production of asbestos cement pipe, also commonly referred to as transite, pipe insulation, drywall, drywall finishing materials, acoustic materials, stucco, concrete, floor tiles, gaskets, roofing materials, and in automotive friction components such as brakes and clutch parts.

Individuals exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing asbestos related diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestosis is chronic scarring of the lungs that makes it more and more difficult for an individual to breathe. Individuals with severe asbestosis often cannot breathe without the aid of oxygen and become increasingly immobile.

Pleural Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer affecting the lining of the lung. Pleural Mesothelioma has a latency period of approximately 10 years, meaning that typically individuals exposed to asbestos will not develop mesothelioma until at least ten years has passed. In many cases, individuals do not develop mesothelioma until

Please Help the Asbestos Legal Center Warn the Public About Asbestos Containing Drywall!

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:04:55 -0800

Please post this article to your social media website, "share" it, and "like" it, and help the Asbestos Legal Center save lives.

For the last two weeks the Asbestos Legal Center has had their thoughts and prayers with a client, who has been struggling to leave the hospital after undergoing surgery to remove malignant pleural mesothelioma tumors caused, in part, by exposure to asbestos containing drywall. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs that develops ten to thirty years after exposure to asbestos. There is no cure for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure also causes lung cancer and asbestosis, a chronic scarring of the lungs.

In honor of this client's battle with malignant pleural mesothelioma, the Asbestos Legal Center has decide to create this blog article, warning the public about the hidden danger of asbestos contained in drywall sheetrock found in many of the homes and structures in the United States.

Drywall, also commonly referred to as sheetrock, is a wall panel made of two sheets of paper with a gypsum mineral compound pressed between them. Invented in 1916, it's use as a construction material for walls and ceiling became popular in the 1940's and continuing after World War II. Until the late 1970's, many companies manufactured drywall that contained asbestos. Unfortunately drywall containing asbestos is found in many of the homes that were built prior to 1980 in the United States. Today, workers and families are at risk for exposure to asbestos contained in this drywall when performing home remodel projects that require cutting into the wall, releasing asbestos dust into the air.

The OSHA safety limit for exposure to asbestos is .1 fiber per cubic centimeter. To put the OSHA safety limit in perspective, one needs to know that asbestos fibers are microscopic in size. 20,000 asbestos fibers are smaller than a grain of rice. Put simply, what all of this means is, if you can see asbestos dust with the naked eye you are being exposed to a level of asbestos that is greater than the OSHA safety limit.

If your home contains drywall that contains asbestos, you can hire a contractor who has undergone training and is specially licensed in asbestos abatement, to remove it. Safely removing asbestos containing drywall requires air sampling, sealing off the area, and the use of specialized equipment such as vacuums or fans. The asbestos abatement contractor will also wear specialized breathing protection. But there is good reason for all of this: asbestos is dangerous!

Moreover, drywall is not the only building material that contained asbestos prior to 1980. Asbestos was also contained in other construction products, such as joint compounds, acoustic popcorn ceilings, floor tiles, stucco, cement, roofing materials, and sewer pipe. For that reason it is advisable, whenever performing a home remodel project on a home built before 1980, to have a licensed environmental materials testing company come to your home and take samples for asbestos prior to beginning work. The extra cost could well save your life, or the life of your family members, in the future.

Please help the Asbestos Legal Center spread the word and save lives, by posting this article to the your social media webpage, and hitting the "like" or "share" button. Thank you.

Donna Summers: Asbestos Containing 9/11 Dust Presumed Cause Of Her Lung Cancer

Sun, 20 May 2012 08:06:57 -0800

On June 14, 2012, at the age of 63, entertainer Donna Summers lost her life to lung cancer. It is has been widely reported that prior to her death, Donna Summers believed that the cancer that eventually took her life was caused by her exposure to asbestos and other toxins contained in the dust generated from the World Trade Center terrorist attack of 9/11. Donna Summers was a resident of New York City in September of 2001, when the World Trade Towers fell, scattering debris and asbestos containing dust plumes throughout ground zero and the rest of the City. Analysis of the dust clouds revealed they contained the following materials: gypsum, cement, calcium carbonate, asbestos, lead, glass fibers and other metal particles.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that due to it's cost, light weight, and heart resistant properties, was integrated into many construction materials and insulation products throughout the great majority of the 20th century. The use of the asbestos occurred despite the asbestos industry's knowledge that the substance was harmful to human health; causing asbestosis, lung cancer, and malignant pleural mesothelioma - an incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs that has only one known cause, asbestos exposure. There are thousands of asbestos caused lung cancers that are diagnosed in patients every year in the United States. Many of these patients seek compensation for their health bills and for the benefit of their families in the U.S. Court system, and from bankruptcy trusts were hundreds of millions of dollars have been set aside to compensate asbestos victims. Attorney Michael Mandelbrot, founder of the Asbestos Legal Center in San Francisco, doesn't see this trend ending soon. "The sad reality is that asbestos is contained in the structures all around us, because the asbestos industry chose to either suppress or ignore information that the use of asbestos posed a danger to the public. As these structures degrade, more and more of the population will be exposed to the fiber, leading to more deaths. It is my firm's commitment to fight for justice of behalf of those suffering from asbestos caused diseases."

Donna Summers rose to stardom in the 1970's, for her disco hits, "Love to Love You Baby" and "Last Dance", and for her 1984 hit, "She Works Hard For The Money." Her struggle with cancer lasted 10 months from the date of diagnosis, to her death. At the time of her death, her family members released statements that Donna Summers was not a cigarette smoker, and believed her lung cancer was attributable to breathing dust generated from the 9/11 terror attacks.

Experts have compared inhaling the dust from the attacks to inhaling Drano, due to the pH and the size of dust particles in the air. Researchers have linked the dust to a higher than normal per capita incidence rate of asthma attacks occurring in individuals who lived and worked in lower Manhattan. To experts, those same asthma attacks are proof that the toxic asbestos containing dust settled into the lungs of many who lived in proximity to the wreckage site.

In January of 2011, President Obama signed into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, a bill setting aside money for health monitoring and treatment of ground zero workers who were exposed to the asbestos containing dust caused by the 9/11 attacks.

Oakland Mesothelioma Attorney Calls For Improvement In Disability Claims Processing At Oakland Veterans Administration Office

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:24:31 -0800

Mesothelioma Attorney Michael J. Mandelbrot, an attorney representing veterans in the Oakland and Alameda County area suffering from mesothelioma and lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure they experience while servine in the military, today called for reforms in claims processing at the Oakland Veterans Administration office.

Mr. Mandelbrot's action came in response to the Veterans Administration Inspector General's report of May 10, citing an average of 320 days for a Veteran's claim to be processed at the Oakland regional facility, compared to an average of 241 days at other facilities nationwide. Alarmingly, the report noted that close to 40% of the claims processed at the Oakland facility were done so incorrectly, and only five of eight major office functions were in compliance with Federal Standards. Though the report appeared to focused on disability claims stemming from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it heightens concerns as to the level of service all Veterans are receiving from the Veterans Administration in Oakland.

"It is completely unacceptable, that those Veterans who have served our country with valor and honor are being left at the mercy of an inefficient, error prone bureaucracy. For many, receiving VA assistance is literally the difference between having money for medical assistance, food, and warm clothing, or not. Reforms must be put in place to streamline process, and get support to our Veterans and their families.", commented Mr. Mandelbrot.

Congresswoman Jackie Spear D-San Mateo has responded to the report of the Veteran Administration Inspector General, by organizing a public forum in San Francisco on May 21st. Attending the forum will be the Oakland Veteran's Administration Director and the Veteran's Administration Western Regional Director. It is anticipated that the Veteran's Administration will try to explain what has caused the slow down and errors, and also announce measures to fix the problem. The meeting will be run in a town hall style format, and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is a rare, incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Many mesothelioma patients contracted the disease as a result of exposure to asbestos that occurred while serving in the United States Navy. Asbestos fibers are natural occurring microscopic mineral bodies that were heavily mined and used in the manufacture of insulation and construction materials due to their heat resistant properties from 1940 until 1980. Some have estimated that as many 27 million people, equaling roughly 40% of the American labor force, were exposed to asbestos during this time period.

Mesothelioma claims the lives of approximately 600 to1000 Armed Forces Veterans every year. The number grows even larger when deaths from other asbestos caused diseases, such as lung cancer and asbestosis, are factored into the equation.
"Unfortunately many do not realize it, but the human death toll from the Cold War today continues to increase. If it were a human enemy killing 600 to 1000 of our nation's heroes annually, there would be a far greater public outcry. It is my firm's privilege to fight for compensation on behalf of United States Armed Forces Veterans, and their families." Mr. Mandelbrot continued.

Mesothelioma Stockton Lawyer: Various Pipe Supply and Construction Material Companies in Stockton and San Joaquin County Are Alleged Asbestos Exposure Sites

Sat, 12 May 2012 07:49:50 -0800

The Asbestos Legal Center, a law practice focused on representing mesothelioma patients and victims of asbestos related disease that represents patients in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area, today cited documentation alleging various pipe supply and construction material supply companies that operated in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area over the last century were asbestos exposure cites. The release of information is a part of the continuing effort led by Asbestos Legal Center founder, Mike Mandelbrot, to supply information to the public in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area regarding where residents may have been exposed to asbestos. Recently, Mr. Mandelbrot highlighted statistics indicating that the age adjusted incidence rate of mesothelioma per capita is higher in San Joaquin County compared to the incidence rate per capita in California as a whole.

"Many individuals are under the misconception that asbestos containing construction materials were only sold to industrial and large construction projects. Unfortunately that is absolutely not the case. For decades the asbestos industry supplied asbestos containing products to the mass market packaged as personal home remodel and repair items." said Mr. Mandelbrot. "Today our office is proud to share information with the public, that documentation exists identifying suppliers of pipe and construction materials in the Stockton and San Joaquin area, as alleged asbestos exposure sites, so the public can access the information should any family member or loved one become ill."

Documentation exists alleging that the following supply companies in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area were asbestos exposure sites in the past: Moran Supply, Western Building Materials, Record Supply Company, Delta Pipe and Supply Company and Center State Pipe & Supply, Inc.. Asbestos was widely used in drywall, joint compounds, stucco and acoustic materials, roofing products, mastics, floor tiles, cement, and cement sewer pipe into the late 1970's. Asbestos cement pipe continued to be manufactured and distributed well in to the 1980's, specifically in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area, where Johns-Manville, one of the world's largest producers of the product, operated a manufacturing plant.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a unique cancer because it grows in a diffuse manner throughout the entire chest cavity rather than as a typical solid growth or nodule. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no cure for the disease. However, one's survival length typically can be extended if the cancer's treatment begins early enough.

That's why if a person knows they were exposed to asbestos, identifying the symptoms of the disease, often mistaken for pneumonia and other diseases, is so important.

The symptoms of mesothelioma include persistent dry cough, difficulty swallowing, fatigue, sweating, a fever, difficulty and painful breathing, shortness of breath, pain in the chest or rib cage sometimes accompanied by bumps, unexplained weight loss, and blood in fluid one spits up from their mouth. All the symptoms should be discussed with a physician immediately, whom also should be informed of the individual's exposure to asbestos. If one has a significant asbestos exposure, they need not wait for such symptoms to develop but rather should speak to their doctor about scheduling a spiral CT screening of the chest and lungs.

Earlier the Asbestos Legal Center released information identifying public buildings and schools in the Stockton and

Stockton Mesothelioma Lawyer: Numerous San Joaquin County Public Buildings Were Asbestos Exposure Sites

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:03:28 -0800

In an ongoing expose regarding the San Joaquin County and Stockon asbestos public health threat, attorney Michael Mandelbrot of the Asbestos Legal Center of San Francisco, who represents mesothelioma patients in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area, today announced more locations where documentation exists that individuals were exposed to asbestos.

"Our office has reviewed materials indicating that workers engaged in the construction and maintenance of numerous public buildings in San Joaquin County, may have been exposed to asbestos. Efforts should be made to inform these workers that the exposure may have occurred, and that asbestos exposure has been linked in the causation of mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis, so that they may take appropriate steps to protect their health."

Mr. Mandelbrot's lists includes but is not limited to Stockton City Hall, the Stockton Civic Center, San Joaquin County Jail located in Stockton, the San Joaquin County Courthouse, Edison High School, Lincoln High School, and the San Joaquin County Administration Center.

"Asbestos located in schools is particularly troubling, as thousands of students who later attend the school may be exposed to asbestos containing materials that are degrading and releasing asbestos into the air", continued Mr. Mandelbrot. "Unfortunately, a person exposed to asbestos in high school, will not learn whether that exposure is going to cause lung cancer or mesothelioma until decades later."

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lining of lungs, chest, or abdomen.
There is no recognized cure for malignant pleural mesothelioma. It has been reported that individuals diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma typically have a six to nine month survival rate.

Recently, in response to disturbing statistics that residents of San Joaquin County and the Stockton area are being diagnosed with mesothelioma at a significantly higher age adjusted incidence rate as compared to Californians as whole, Mr. Mandelbrot and the Asbestos Legal Center have been working to raise awareness.

"Although there is no cure for malignant pleural mesothelioma, there are interventional therapies that can be curative for non-mesothelioma lung cancers. The early detection of lung cancer improves significantly the odds regarding whether many therapies are successful. Our hope is that our work to raise awareness of the asbestos public health threat in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area will save lives."

Individuals who believe that they have been exposed to asbestos are encouraged to report the exposure to their physician. If their physician believes the latency period from the date of exposure is sufficient, in combination with the presentation of physical symptoms indicative of early disease, the physician can order various diagnostic tests, ranging from chest x-rays, to spiral CT-scans. Individuals are also encouraged to report to their physicians any smoking history that they may have in addition to their asbestos exposure history. Smoking increases the risk that a person who has been exposed to asbestos may develop lung cancer.

For those who have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, compensation set aside in bankruptcy trusts from companies that mined, distributed, and manufactured asbestos containing material is available to pay for

Avengers Movie Week: Remembering Asbestos Lady and Asbestos Man

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:17:06 -0800

This week the entertainment world is buzzing about the release of the new comic book movie, the Avengers, featuring a group of heroes from the Marvel Comic books universe working together to overcome long odds to save the world from an inter-dimensional evil genius and his extra-planetary army. Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye; it's a media reboot of the comic book characters that first began to appear in the 1940's and continued to be promulgated with great popularity into the 1960's and 1970's. But there are three characters from the annals of the Avengers universe who won't be making appearances in the film, but whose significance in the comic books go far beyond the fictional story line; do you remember Asbestos Lady, Asbestos Man, and the Human Torch?

First appearing in Captain America comic in 1947, Asbestos Lady was the super villain alter ego of Virginia Murdoch. Ms. Murdoch wore an asbestos suit that could withstand the heat of fire, allowing her to create large explosions near banks that only she could venture near safely, allowing her of course to rob the bank with little resistance. The hero, Human Torch, eventually captured Asbestos Lady by melting an asphalt road that stuck to her feat, making it impossible for her to run away.

Asbestos Man first appeared as a evil super villain in the Human Torch comic book series in 1963. He was the alter ego of analytical chemist Professor Orson Kasloff.
Kasloff created his asbestos suit specifically to battle the Human Torch, hoping to gain notoriety and respect from the criminal underworld. His arsenal of weapons included and net he would throw at the Human Torch, that would covert heat to explosive charges. His criminal master plot was very similar to Asbestos Lady: he robbed banks after creating infernos surrounding them. In their first encounter Asbestos Man actually defeated the Human Torch, but he was eventually captured when The Human Torch created a fire so large, that all of the oxygen in a bank disappeared, making it impossible for Asbestos Man to breathe.

Asbestos Lady and Asbestos Man capture an age when people were unaware of the significant dangers associated with asbestos exposure, and children would believe the a person of high intelligence would wear asbestos fibers. An age when asbestos was used as stuffing to fill baseball gloves and football helmets. The comics are a lasting reminder of the significant cover-up perpetrated by the asbestos industry, regarding the danger associated with asbestos exposure.

By the time Asbestos Lady first appeared in Marvel Comic books, in 1947, the relationship between asbestos exposure and disease was well documented. In 1932 the U.S. Bureau of Mines and Occupational Health Clinic was ready to release the results of a study revealing that 29% of asbestos industry giant Johns-Manville employees who had been exposed to asbestos had developed asbestosis that was detectable by x-ray. However, upon learning of the report, Johns-Manville used it considerable political power to stop it from being released to the public. This occurred despite the fact the epidemiological papers had been published for over 30 years documenting a relationship between asbestos exposure and disease.
One year before Asbestos Man made his appearance in the Marvel Universe, in 1966, the director of Bendix Corporation, an asbestos product manufacturing company, wrote a memo to Johns-Manville Company stating, "...if you have enjoyed a good life while working with asbestos products why not die from it."

Tragically, the asbestos industry cover-up and conspiracy to characterize asbestos as safe, that was so effective in popular culture that it claimed the lives of millions of people who died from asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, who had unknowingly exposed themselves and their families to the dangerous mineral fiber, asbestos.

The revelation of the danger of asbestos in the Marvel Universe is reflected in the final appearance of Asbestos Lady in the Human Torch comic book series, wherein it was revealed she had developed cancer as a result from exposure to the asbestos contained in her suit. The story line occurred in 1990. Asbestos Man's fate

Fight Mesothelioma, Go Green And Save A Life: Choose Organic Brake Pads

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:38:08 -0800

Every year in the United States, over three thousand people die from mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. A percentage of those afflicted by the disease include automotive mechanics and technicians exposed to asbestos occupationally that is contained in automotive parts, including gaskets, clutch parts, and brake linings.

Experts indicate that when these asbestos containing parts are installed, and then later as they break down and undergo maintenance, asbestos fibers are released in dust generated that is then inhaled by the auto mechanics and technicians. Once these asbestos fibers become lodged in the pleura, they contribute to the development of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

But now there are alternatives to asbestos containing brakes that consumers can request that their mechanics install on their vehicles, that are much safer for those who service the vehicle, and are better for the environment.

Organic brakes linings are made with composites constructed from naturally occurring ingredients. The linings actually use heat generated from the braking of the car to keep the brake material from breaking apart. Because the brake pads are organic and do not contain asbestos they are actually a safer waste product for sanitation departments to handle as well. One of the drawbacks of organic brake linings is that they typically should be used with lighter vehicles. But if you are deciding to change your habit and adopt a green lifestyle, you probably aren't driving a heavy gas guzzling vehicle.

Another type of asbestos free brake is the "semimetallic brake". This type of brake was developed in the 1960's. The semimetallic brake is used on many foreign manufactured vehicles, in countries were asbestos is banned. It is typically constructed with sponge iron, steel wool, graphite, and resin.

Unfortunately many United States automakers still install asbestos containing brakes on some of the new cars manufactured in North America. Consumer protection advocates cite examples of factories in Mexico where asbestos containing brakes are manufactured for use on vehicles sold in the United States.

If one is a non-professional performing maintenance on their own automobiles, they should always wear OSHA approved masks rated for asbestos exposure when performing automotive and brake repairs. The brake repair work should be performed outside in well-ventilated areas. It is never advisable to perform sanding and grinding of brakes that one suspects contain asbestos. Remember, if asbestos fibers deposit on a person's clothing, they can unknowingly bring them into their own home after completing the repair work.

According to Asbestos Legal Center founder, attorney Michael Mandelbrot, consumers have the ability to demand that automakers do the right thing, and cease using asbestos containing products. "At the end of the day U.S. automakers are selling a product. If the public is informed that the product the U.S. automakers are selling contains a toxin, asbestos, that is causing people to die horrible deaths from mesothelioma, and demands accountability and a change in materials, the automakers will be forced to respond. In the mean time our office will continue to fight for those who are injured in the Court system."

Every year in the United States numerous lawsuits are filed...

Stockton Mesothelioma Lawyer: Incidence Rates of Mesothelioma 49% Higher In San Joaquin County

Tue, 01 May 2012 21:38:01 -0800

Attorney Michael Mandelbrot, founder of the Asbestos Legal Center of San Francisco, a law firm that represents patients suffering from mesothelioma in the San Joaquin County and Stockton area, today cited statistics indicating that from 2005 to 2009, individuals living in San Joaquin County suffered a 49% higher incidence age adjusted rate of mesothelioma compared to all residents living in the state of California. "What we see today in Stockton and San Joaquin County is a public health tragedy. While there is no known cure for malignant pleural mesothelioma, we can still fight in the Courts for compensation for those who have been injured, and their families, in an attempt to ensure that this tragedy will not repeat itself in the future."

There are many locations in San Joaquin County were residents who have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer or other asbestos related diseases, may have been exposed to the fibrous mineral, asbestos.

The Johns-Manville manufacturing plant, located on Stockton's outskirts, exposed thousands of workers to raw asbestos fiber stored at the plant, and incorporated into asbestos containing products and asbestos cement pipe manufactured at the plant. The facility started operating in the 1950's and produced asbestos containing products well into the 1980's. Bags of raw asbestos fiber were transported into the facility on railroad cars. Numerous lawsuits have been filed on behalf of those suffering from mesothelioma who were exposed to asbestos at the Johns-Manville manufacturing plant in Stockton, California.

Many workers were also exposed to asbestos at the Port of Stockton, and at various boat construction outfits located in the Stockton and San Joaquin County area. Stockton is home to one of only two inland ports in the state of California. It was in the Stockton shipyards that boat builders constructed U.S. Navy minesweepers and other vessels during multiple war efforts. Neighboring San Francisco Bay also created a demand for Stockton shipbuilders to construct vessels for use in it's vast bay.

The mesothelioma age adjusted incidence rate also may by high in Stockton and San Joaquin County due to the fact that many individuals who were exposed to asbestos at jobsites located in other parts of California, were attracted to the Stockton area for retirement as a result of affordable property values. Plumbers, steamfitters, carpenters, laborers, boilermakers, air conditioning mechanics, and many other skilled workers are at risk for developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos they suffered on construction sites. Additionally, veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are also at risk for developing mesothelioma. Alarmingly, over the 2005 to 2009 time period, the San Joaquin County age adjusted mesothelioma incidence rate was 72% higher than Los Angeles County.

There have been many lawsuits filed by mesothelioma patients who were exposed to asbestos in Stockton, California. Mesothelioma patients who were exposed to asbestos at the Johns-Manville manufacturing plant in Stockton also have obtained compensation from the Johns-Manville bankruptcy trust.

Unfortunately there are many more locations, than mentioned in this article, in Stockton, California, where workers...

Stockton, California: A Legacy of Asbestos Use and Mesothelioma Disease

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:43:37 -0800

Stockton, California, located on the California Delta, is the county seat of San Joaquin County. One of only two California inland sea ports, the city enjoyed a robust boat building and shipping industry from 1940s into the 1980's. The port served at the gateway to California's Central Valley. But to public health advocates, Stockon has gained notoriety for a less flattering reason: it is the location where scores of individuals were exposed to asbestos over the last century, and later developed the incurable cancer, mesothelioma.

The Stockton shipyards were home to numerous boat building companies who constructed mine sweepers for United States Navy, and tug boats and ferries that later were put to use in the San Francisco Bay. Asbestos containing products and insulation material were used extensively at the shipyard. Many workers who were employed in the Stockton shipyards were later diagnosed with asbestos related diseases.

Located at 1051 Sperry Road, in Stockton, California, the Johns-Manville asbestos product manufacturing plant is a landmark for many families who have lost loved ones to mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos both at the plant, and contained in asbestos containing products shipped from the plant. The plant opened in the 1950's and continued to produce asbestos cement pipe into the 1980's. Asbestos was often shipped into the plant via the railroad whose tracks ran through the manufacturing facility. Thousands of tons of asbestos were used in manufacturing at the facility. Numerous deaths have occurred as result of mesothelioma caused by asbestos processed at the Johns-Manville asbestos cement pipe manufacturing plant in Stockton, California.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was used extensively as a heat resistant and bonding agent in the manufacturing of construction and insulating products from the 1900's through the 1980's in the United States. Inhalation of asbestos fibers cause various asbestos related diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Asbestosis is a chronic scarring and thickening of the lungs. As the disease progresses, asbestosis makes it very difficult for an individual to breathe, and may eventually result in death. Mesothelioma is a cancer the can occur in the mesothelial lining surrounding the heart, lungs, or stomach. There is no cure for pleural malignant mesothelioma.

Many individuals who were exposed to asbestos in Stockton, California, and later developed and asbestos related disease, have brought lawsuits to gain compensation for their injuries and pain and suffering. Moreover, many families who have lost loved ones to mesothelioma have also sought justice in the Courts.

The Johns-Manville bankruptcy trust provides compensation to individuals who were exposed to asbestos at the Johns-Manville asbestos containing product manufacturing plant in Stockton, who later developed asbestos related diseases.
Moreover there are numerous bankruptcy trusts that will provide compensation to individuals and families who have suffered from asbestos related diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos at the Stockton Shipyards.

Additionally, there are many other construction and industrial sites in Stockton, California, were it is documented...