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Chicago Mesothelioma Attorney

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

Mesothelioma is a painful, aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma affects the cells surrounding the internal organs of the body, called mesothelium. As asbestos fibers are often inhaled, this cancer often affects the lungs. 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed every year in the United States, but this number continues to rise as there is a very long latency period for asbestos-related illnesses, which may take up to 60 years to display symptoms. Mesothelioma may, in some cases, appear and progress rapidly. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to consult with an experienced Chicago mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible. Mesothelioma comes with very expensive medical expenses and, in most cases, an inability to work.

Mike Agruss Law, will work with people diagnosed with mesothelioma to get compensation to cover lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

There are four types of mesothelioma:

  • Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form, which affects the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma diminishes lung function and air capacity. Nearly 75% of mesothelioma cases are pleural.
  • Peritoneal mesothelioma, which accounts for 20% of mesothelioma cases.This form of mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdominal cavity and gastrointestinal tract, along with the stomach and intestines. This form results in an inability to digest food, with symptoms that include pain and swelling in the abdomen, anemia, difficulty breathing, nausea, blood clotting, vomiting and chest pains.
  • Pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the heart. While more rare than peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma, is is the most dangerous. It is most often discovered when it is too late for treatment, and even early detection comes with very few treatment options.
  • Testicular mesothelioma, which is the most rare form. Less than 100 cases of this type of mesothelioma have been reported.

Exposure to Asbestos

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you most likely contracted it at work through exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a known carcinogen widely used in commercial applications for nearly a century. Veterans of the military, ship builders, mechanics, sheet metal workers, plumbers and construction workers, among others, likely worked with asbestos-containing products, which includes cement, pipe coverings, pipe insulation, adhesives and everyday products.

Many buildings and homes built prior to the 1980s still contain asbestos. The truth is the dangers of asbestos have been known since the 1920s, yet manufacturers and companies concealed this risk from workers. Rather than warning employees, many companies continued to create hazardous conditions for workers. Up until it was banned in 1979, asbestos was used as an insulation material in home and building construction, prized for its low cost and fireproof quality.

It was a common building material in naval ships, and in pipes and boilers in military structures. Railroad equipment was also built with asbestos, because the mineral insulates and soundproofs rail cars. But, as these older buildings and machines deteriorate, the asbestos can become disturbed and airborne. And anyone who worked around the material before it was banned is still potentially at risk; the symptoms can hide for 10 to 70 years.

Contact Mike Agruss Law, Today

If you or someone you care for has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have options. Contact a mesothelioma attorney at Mike Agruss Law, at 312-224-4695 for a free consultation. We are a Chicago injury law firm representing individuals and families who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lost a loved one due to the illness. Mike Agruss Law, will handle your personal injury case quickly, will advise you every step of the way, and will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, Mike Agruss Law, does not get paid attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. Therefore, you have nothing to risk when you hire us—just the opportunity to seek justice.

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