Mississippi Mesothelioma Lawyer

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Mesothelioma is the cancer of the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, heart, body cavities, liver, and other organs. The cells of this thin lining called the mesothelium can have abnormalities that cause them to divide uncontrollably. The result is a cancer that is most commonly found in the pleural cavity the thin body cavity that surrounds the lungs. This cavity fills with fluid when mesothelioma is present, making it difficult to breathe and putting painful pressure on the lungs. The cancer can appear in other places as well, including in the abdomen and the mesothelium around the heart (called the pericardium).

The abnormalities in the cells of the mesothelium are almost always caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of tiny fibers. When these fibers are in the atmosphere, they can be breathed in and they can embed themselves in the sensitive tissue of the lungs. Once there, they can directly damage DNA, creating harmful mutations that can cause lung cancer. They can also illicit an immune response. Unfortunately, since the human immune system is incapable of destroying asbestos fibers, the white blood cells that capture the fibers simply move them to another place usually the pleural cavity. There, they damage the DNA of the mesothelium, causing mesothelioma. The same immune response also causes swelling, which can feed the cancer and allow it to grow.

Before the Environmental Protection Agency banned asbestos-containing products, asbestos was often used as an insulator. The material is inflammable and resistant to extremely high temperatures and voltages, so it is ideal for use around wires and pipes. Asbestos was also commonly used as building insulation hundreds of thousands of commercial and public buildings in the United States were built with asbestos in the walls, ceilings, and tiles. Since it's a fibrous material, it can even be woven into fire-proof clothing and worn by people who work around high heat and electricity. Workers at oil refineries in Mississippi are often subjected to these conditions and may wear this type of clothing. This clothing is safe to wear, but it's ripped or torn, asbestos fibers can be released into the air where they can get into peoples' lungs.

Workers at the two shipyards in Mississippi are especially prone to asbestos exposure. Despite the fact that the now-closed Pascagoula Naval Station was built in an environmentally friendly way without the use of asbestos for insulation or fire-retardant purposes, many ships have a large amount of asbestos. If any worker came into contact with asbestos on a ship, and disturbed it so that it got into the air, they may have unwillingly exposed themselves to this hazardous material. Additionally, although the Ingalls Shipbuilding plant no longer uses asbestos due to the EPA ban, they may have used the material in the past.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you need to contact a lawyer immediately. Since the cancer is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, there is very little chance that it was caused by something else. The right attorney can prove whether or not an employer or a superior was at fault for not protecting you from the exposure. Consultations are usually free of charge, and an experienced lawyer will help you determine whether or not you have a case. If you are entitled to compensation, an experienced attorney will fight for you, and see that you get everything you need to pay for your medical bills and help your family.

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