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Mesothelioma is a rare and lethal form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos through a workplace or living environment where the material is present. For many years, manufacturers hid the dangers of asbestos from the public, placing millions at risk of preventable and needless deaths.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we understand that you may not know where to turn for reliable legal and medical advice. This disease is often fatal, so family members are devastated when they learn that their loved ones have developed it due to long-term exposure.A Chicago asbestos attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC can help you pursue the workers compensation and justice that you seek in order to hold these companies accountable for everything you and your loved ones have endured. To learn more about how we can help, we invite you to arrange a free consultation with an experienced Chicago mesothelioma attorney at no cost or obligation.
The Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Since mesothelioma results from the steady accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs, it is possible for victims to live without symptoms for decades before the onset of the disease. In fact, it is common for many people to develop mesothelioma long after they have left the environment where they were exposed to the substance. Initially, the disease may be mistaken for other common and less serious respiratory illnesses, but the symptoms quickly progress.
The initial symptoms include:
- Unexplained weight loss accompanied by fatigue
- Loss of appetite and nausea
- Pain in the chest that does not go away with treatment
- Coughing and shortness of breath
- Painful breathing
- Accumulation of fluid surrounding the lungs
If you have ever been exposed to asbestos in the past, it is important that you treat any respiratory symptoms as warnings of a more serious condition. Early detection is key to a better chance of survival.
Occupations where workers were routinely exposed to asbestos include:
- Construction and excavation
- Shipbuilding
- Power plant work
- Textile factory work
- Glasswork
- Electronics manufacturing
- Steelworking
- Pipefitting
- Firefighting
- Railroad work
- Farming and agriculture
- Food processing plant work
- Auto manufacturing and repair
- Aerospace manufacturing
- Insulation installation
- Carpentry
- Machining
- Naval yard work
- Painting
Getting Treatment for Mesothelioma in Illinois
Thankfully, there are hospitals and medical facilities today that offer specialized treatment for mesothelioma. If you or a loved one is in need of care, it is best to seek out an experienced mesothelioma treatment center. Among the most recognized mesothelioma treatment facilities in the Chicago area is the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, located at 1850 Silver Cross Blvd. in New Lenox. This center has more than 25 years of experience treating people with mesothelioma and offers treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
Other Illinois Facilities With Experience in Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Treatment
University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
1740 West Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60612
Decatur Memorial Hospital Cancer Care Institute
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
James L. Wade III, MD
210 W. McKinley Ave.
Decatur, IL 62526
Ingalls Memorial Hospital
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Mark F. Kozloff, MD
One Ingalls Dr.
Harvey, IL 60426
Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
James E. Hannigan, MD
1325 Memorial Dr.
LaGrange, IL 60525
Illinois CancerCare
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Paul A.S. Fishkin, M.D.
Srinivas Jujjavarapu, M.D.
8940 N. Wood Sage Rd.
Peoria, IL 61615-7828
Carle Cancer Center
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Kendrith M. Rowland, MD
509 W. University Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
Loyola University Chicago Medical Center, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
Mesothelioma Treatment Section
Kathy Albain, MD
2160 S. First Ave.
Maywood, IL 60153
Similarities Between the Asbestos Industry and Big Tobacco
In the same way that the tobacco industry manipulated scientific research to downplay the health risks of its products, asbestos manufacturers hid the risks of long-term exposure to their products from the public for decades. It is estimated that as many as 15,000 people die each year due to asbestos-related illnesses. Of these, 3,000 die due to mesothelioma.
While many asbestos products have been banned in the United States, the public is generally ignorant of the fact that it is still permitted in a number of industries. Its usefulness is primarily as a flame retardant, as it acts as an effective insulator, binder, and fire-preventive material. It also has applications in the clothing industry and was once used in a number of personal care products until the link was discovered between the use of those products and conditions such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Its flame-retardant properties prompted the military to use it in the manufacture of nearly every naval vessel produced in the World War II era along with jeeps and other military equipment. The objective was to prevent the spread of fires throughout ships and to make military hardware more resilient to enemy fire.
It was as early as 1920 that asbestos manufacturers were aware of the link between their products and asbestos-related illnesses, but they continued to produce and sell the products while withholding knowledge from the public. By 1970, many products containing the substance were banned, but since it can take as long as 50 years for victims to develop mesothelioma following exposure, many of the people who were exposed have not become ill until now, leading to a growing need for lawyers for mesothelioma.
We are Dedicated to Protecting the Legal Rights of Mesothelioma Victims
The asbestos industry is made up of very powerful and influential corporations that have access to well-paid and experienced legal teams. It is for this reason you need to be able to rely on only the best mesothelioma lawyer to bring your case to trial. An Illinois mesothelioma lawyer from our firm has experience negotiating mesothelioma lawsuit settlements so that you recover the compensation you are entitled to. We also have access to vital resources you will need to ensure that you have the greatest chance of survival, including medical specialists, and the ability to communicate on your behalf with Medicare and to file paperwork for Social Security Disability benefits. By connecting you with the best physicians available and ensuring that you have the resources you need to be able to pay for your medical care, we can give you a fighting chance.
If you have lost a loved one and work with an Illinois mesothelioma lawyer from our firm, we will be aggressive in our pursuit of justice. If you’re in need of an experienced mesothelioma attorney, Chicago residents can be sure that we will seek the maximum compensation the law allows. There is no reason any company should profit at the expense of other peoples’ lives, and we will help your family send that very important message to any corporation that should consider doing so in the future.
Receive a Complementary Case Evaluation Today
Contact us today to arrange a risk-free consultation with a Chicago asbestos attorney so that we can review the details of your claim and let you know about your legal rights and options in greater detail. We operate solely on a contingency fee basis in order to allow people of all financial backgrounds to be able to have access to top-quality legal services. This means that you will never be required to provide up-front fees and our services are completely free of charge in the event that we are unable to secure damages on your behalf.
