Asbestos

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Asbestos Mesothelioma Cases
Presented by Sara Salger On behalf of Gori,
Julian Associates, P.C., Edwardsville, IL
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What you know about Asbestos Mesothelioma
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Definition of Asbestos

• Term given to a group of six different,
  naturally occurring mineral fibers.
• One of the most widely used commercial
  substances of the 20th Century due to the natural
  resistance of the fibers to heat and fire, and
  their reluctance to conduct electricity.

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Asbestos Exposure

• In the United States, asbestos was most widely
  used during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
• Common commercial and industrial
  asbestos-containing products include

• Boiler Insulation
• Pipe Insulation
• Gasket Packing Materials
• Fireproofing Spray
• Brake Shoes Clutches
• Welding Blankets Screens
• Adhesives Bonding Agents

• Cement Cement Products
• Bricks Block Mortar
• Building Insulation
• Ceiling Tiles
• Roofing Shingles
• Flooring Tiles
• Vinyl Flooring
• Plaster on Drywall Jointing Materials

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Asbestos Exposure

• Asbestos products that may be found in the
  household include

• Hair Dryers
• Coffee Makers
• Electric Blankets
• Heat Guns
• Molding Clay
• Dry Wall Patch
• Spray Insulation
• Pipe Insulation
• Fake Fireplace Logs

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High Risk Exposure Occupations

• Construction Workers
• Electricians
• Plumbers Pipefitters
• Shipyard Employees
• Railroad Employees
• Automotive Aviation Mechanics
• Boilermakers
• Insulation Installers
• Military Personnel Defense Contractors

• Refinery Workers

• Chemical Plant Employees

• Power Plant Workers

Equally at risk include the families of these
workers who brought asbestos fibers home on their
clothing and in the family car.
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Mesothelioma

• A rare form of cancer that affects the thin
  membrane lining of the chest and/or abdomen.
• Most common site is the pleural (outer lining of
  the lungs and internal chest wall) may also
  occur in the peritoneum (abdominal), pericardium
  (a sac that surrounds the heart), or testicular
  lining.

• Asbestos exposure is the only cause that has
  been definitively linked to the disease as of
  yet.

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Affect of Asbestos on the Human Body

• When asbestos fibers are inhaled, ingested or in
  rare cases, absorbed through the skin, they can
  become lodged in air ways, lung tissue or the
  mesothelium membrane.
• Overtime anywhere from 20-50 years after
  exposure occurred these asbestos fibers can
  cause lung cancer and/or pleural mesothelioma
  among other medical conditions and forms of
  cancer.

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Mesothelioma Symptoms

• Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
  normally
• Severe coughing, coughing up blood
• Chest pains
• Rapid weight loss
• Impaired weight loss
• Impaired bowel functions
• Abdominal bloating
• Persistent tiredness, fatigue with minimal
  exertion

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Diagnosis Treatment of Mesothelioma
Diagnosis

• X-rays of the chest or abdomen
• Lung function or breathing tests
• A Complete Blood Recount (CBC)
• Computed Tomography (CT) scans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Biopsies of affected tissues

Treatment

• Because mesothelioma is usually not diagnosed
  until the disease is already well-established,
  treatment options may be limited.

• However, treatment options may include
• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Gene Therapy and Alternative Medicine Approaches.

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The Faces of Mesothelioma Other
Asbestos-Related Cancers
BEFORE
AFTER
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The Faces of Mesothelioma Other
Asbestos-Related Cancers
BEFORE
AFTER
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The Faces of Mesothelioma Other
Asbestos-Related Cancers
BEFORE
AFTER
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Proud Accomplishments
At Gori, Julian Associates, P.C., we have
helped thousands of people recover compensation
for devastating personal losses resulting from
exposure to asbestos.
As proud as we are of what we have accomplished
there is still more work to do. We are committed
to fighting for justice on behalf of the people
and families who continue to be harmed by
asbestos negligence.