Georgia Mesothelioma Attorneys
If you have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma you are probably scared and may not know much about the disease. The information your doctor has given you may not have been very clear. Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of cancer. It is caused by asbestos exposure. It is not lung cancer, but the most common type, pleural mesothelioma, does affect the lung area. You may be entitled to compensation for your asbestos-related illness. Our Georgia mesothelioma attorneys can help
Mesothelioma Basics
The mesothelium is the membrane which surrounds your internal organs. Mesothelioma is categorized by the area of the body which is affected:
- Pleural mesothelioma develops in the pleural which is the lining of the lungs
- Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum which lines the abdominal cavity and surrounds the abdominal organs
- Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the membrane which surrounds, protects, and lubricates the heart
The symptoms of mesothelioma do not develop in most patients until 20 to 50 years after they were exposed to asbestos. There may be no early symptoms or early symptoms may be mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses. Most patients are not diagnosed until they are already in the final stages of the cancer.
Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer
Sometimes people refer to pleural mesothelioma as “asbestos lung cancer.” Asbestos can cause lung cancer, and mesothelioma can invade the lungs, but mesothelioma is not lung cancer. Pleural mesothelioma is sometimes misdiagnosed as lung cancer, which only adds to the confusion. There are medical tests which can differentiate between the typed of cancer cells.
The difference may seem insignificant, but it is very important. The health effects and treatments are different, and misdiagnosis can lead to the wrong treatment for your type of cancer. If you are seeking compensation for your illness, a misdiagnosis of lung cancer can hurt or even destroy your case. In order to receive compensation for asbestos injuries, in Georgia, you must prove you have been injured by asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma diagnosis establishes that fact. A lung cancer diagnosis alone does not because so many other things can cause lung cancer.
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma or any asbestos-related illness, please call or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if our Georgia mesothelioma attorneys agree to handle your mesothelioma claim, they will work on a contingent fee basis, which means they only get paid for their services if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a lawsuit must be filed before the expiration of the statute of limitations. Please call our Georgia mesothelioma attorneys right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.