Not only is mesothelioma deadly, there is also no effective means to control or cure the disease, as there are with some forms of cancer. If it were not for exposure to asbestos, malignant mesothelioma would rarely occur.
Most forms of cancer are considered monoclonal, that is they are caused from mutations within a single cell. In making this finding, scientists used a method called HUMARA to trace cells from female embryos. The studied involved taking a serious of samples from 14 mesothelioma tumors removed from female mesothelioma patients. Through a change involving the deactivation of one x chromosome, researchers were able to make this link.
The significance of mesothelioma being polyclonal is that it may explain why many patients develop new tumors once existing ones are removed, even when it appears that all traces of cancer have been eliminated. Researchers are hoping to use this information to help develop new mesothelioma treatments using what is known as genomic medicine. Genomic medicines are designed to work at the molecular level and require a significant understanding of the gene structure to develop.
As our Boston mesothelioma lawyers understand, while there may come a time when those suffering from this deadly cancer have real options, it seems a long way off. Presently, those diagnosed with mesothelioma are facing a great deal of pain and may not have long to live.
These victims are entitled to financial compensation for the negligence and willful disregard for the safety of others of companies, manufacturers, and individuals who knowingly exposed millions of people to deadly asbestos fibers.
This issue centers on the fact that it was well known in the construction and manufacturing injury that asbestos could cause a deadly disease long before the general public knew the dangers of asbestos. While industry research was coming out, asbestos manufacturers and industrial users largely downplayed or ignored the concerns. In some cases, these companies actually marketed their products as being safe.
When the public started learning of the dangers caused by asbestos exposure, companies would market products containing other forms of asbestos and asbestos-containing vermiculite as a safe alternative to asbestos.
The law requires anyone who produces a product to make it in a reasonably safe manner and warn users of any known dangers. Failure to adequately warn of a known danger is one of the common claims in mesothelioma lawsuits, along with design of a defective product.
Damages or financial compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit may involve payment for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses, special damages, and in some cases, punitive damages.
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, compensatory damages are the normal measure of damages used in personal injury cases. They are designed to compensate a victim for the actual loss suffered. However, punitive damages are designed to punish defendants who acted with a complete disregard for the safety of others and send a message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma in Boston, call for a free and confidential appointment at (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
EPA Investigates Improper Asbestos Removal at Old School Building Slated for Demolition, August 28, Boston Mesothelioma Lawyers Blog