Orange County Mesothelioma

Orange County is home to perfect weather, beautiful coastal areas and easy access to Los Angeles to the north and San Diego to the south.  Unfortunately, Orange County is also home to a growing number of people who suffer from a relatively rare form of cancer that to this point has no cure and is 100% fatal.

This form of cancer is known as mesothelioma, and there are several problematic aspects to the risk, development and ultimate diagnosis of this disease, each of which will be described below.  If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with this disease, you need to contact an Orange County mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation.

The Risk

Although there is no sure-fire cause to mesothelioma, to date every patient of this disease has been exposed at one time or another to a substance known as asbestos.  Asbestos is a substance that was prominently used in the 20th Century, and its use was primarily for insulation in new buildings due to the fact that its natural properties retarded flames.  Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the risk involved is that many people simply do not realize that they have been exposed to asbestos, as the fibers are microscopic, and there is no odor.

The Development

The development of mesothelioma is also very difficult in nature, as people who were unaware of their exposure to asbestos may not realize that something is wrong.  In fact, some patients have gone decades between their exposure to asbestos and the realization that they had this terminal form of cancer.

The Diagnosis

Even after a patient begins to fall ill and ultimately seeks medical attention, there is still a chance that mesothelioma will not be the diagnosis from the doctor who examines the patient.  That’s because the symptoms of mesothelioma are much like other, more common and less serious conditions such as respiratory infections and other everyday maladies.  This is especially true when the patient does not realize that he or she has been exposed to asbestos, thereby alerting the doctor to check for mesothelioma.

The Prevention

As stated above, there is no known cure for mesothelioma, and to date everyone who has been diagnosed with it has not survived.  Generally, the timeframe between diagnosis and death is approximately 20 months in duration, and the only way to ensure that a person does not ultimately suffer from mesothelioma is to avoid any and all exposure to asbestos.

This may sound like an easy step to take, but the fact is that it’s anything but simple to avoid.  No one is allowed to use asbestos in buildings anymore, but that does not mean that a person can simply assume that there is no such thing in any building he or she enters, especially older buildings.

Your Next Step

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with this disease, you need to immediately contact an Orange County mesothelioma lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation.  You may have legal rights and options at your disposal, but you need to get this process started to obtain the answers you need and deserve.