The document is a guide for mesothelioma patients and their families that provides information about the disease and initial steps to take after diagnosis. It discusses the causes of mesothelioma including asbestos exposure that may have occurred occupationally or through other means. It also outlines legal options patients have to seek compensation and the importance of consulting an experienced mesothelioma law firm to understand all available resources and protect family members.

1. — P R E S E N T E D BY —
PUTTING TOGETHER THE PIECES:
A Guide for Mesothelioma
Patients and Their Families
AU G U S T 2 0 1 7

2. RICHARDSON, PATRICK,
WESTBROOK & BRICKMAN has
been on the forefront in asbestosis
litigation since the late 1970s.
In this white paper, we answer
initial questions that mesothelioma
patients and their families often ask.
http://www.mesoinfocenter.com/White-Papers/
Mesothelioma-Patient-Guide.shtml
AFTER A DIAGNOSIS
OF MESOTHELIOMA,
HOW DO YOU FIT THE
PIECES TOGETHER
IN THE MEDICAL AND
LEGAL PUZZLE?
FOR SOME patients, the
source of the asbestos
exposure is quite clear,
based on their occupation.
FOR OTHERS, it is more of
a mystery.

3. MESOTHELIOMA
(n.) | A rare cancer that attacks the lining of major organs – the
most common type attacks the lining of the lungs.
The disease is most common in older people, because it can take
decades to develop. The average age at diagnosis is 69. There is
no known cure, but treatment options are advancing.
The only definitive cause is asbestos exposure.

4. The most common symptom of mesothelioma is:
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
Initially, some patients describe lingering flu- or cold-like symptoms and becoming easily winded.
Once diagnosed, a treatment plan developed by a specialized team may include:
Surgery Radiation Chemotherapy

A new drug Keytruda is offering extra time and improving quality of life during that time.
Research continues to identify new treatments that will provide better outcomes.

5. The fibrous mineral has
some unique properties:
IT IS A GOOD INSULATOR
because it will not burn even at extreme temperatures.
IT IS FLEXIBLE
can be woven and has a higher tensile strength than steel.
IT WILL NOT HEAT UP OR CONDUCT ELECTRICITY
when exposed to an electrical current.
Some of the products that traditionally contained asbestos
include gaskets, pipe insulation, cements, transite boards,
drywall joint compounds and refractory products.
WHY was asbestos
used so widely from the
1940s into the 1980s?
?
1
2
3

6. That longer-term,
heavy exposure increases
the risk of developing an
asbestos-related disease
is not a surprise.
Less known is that
secondhand (laundering
uniforms) and short-term
exposures (a summer
internship) have been
shown to cause
mesothelioma as well.
SOME
OCCUPATIONS
that commonly carried asbestos
exposure include:
 Pipefitters
 Maintenance mechanics
 Plumbers and boilermakers
 Machinists and auto mechanics
 Electricians, construction workers and
sheet metal workers
 Firefighters or emergency responders
exposed to asbestos-laden insulation

7. 
Where did the exposure occur?
SOME STARTING POINTS INCLUDE:
Co-workers, spouses and family members often remember details
that help complete the picture.
Social Security records that list work history
Military resources that may list which asbestos products were used on a vessel
Requests for information from past employers to uncover what products were used

8. The law holds manufacturers responsible for dangers posed
by their products that they know or should know about. It also
holds companies responsible for producing unreasonably
dangerous products.
You may be able to seek compensation by bringing a lawsuit
against a company you worked for or the manufacturer
of a product. Some companies have filed bankruptcy, so
it is necessary to make a claim with a trust fund set up to
compensate asbestos victims. State workers’ compensation
or military disability laws could also provide a remedy.
How long do you have to bring a claim?
It depends, but there is no time to waste.

$


9. HOW DO YOU DECIDE
WHICH LAW FIRM TO CALL?
Look for a history handling these
cases. Terry Richardson, a founding
partner of Richardson, Patrick,
Westbrook & Brickman, was on
the forefront of asbestos litigation
in the early 1970s. Since that time,
the attorneys of RPWB have
established a legacy of protecting
the rights of asbestos victims and
their families.
EXPERTS PLAY A
VITAL ROLE PUTTING
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
INTO CONTEXT.
Law firms focused on asbestos
litigation have relationships with
these experts. Respect and
compassion are also necessary
to ensure that legal issues do not
disrupt medical care.

10. BECAUSE
MESOTHELIOMA
IS RARE,
it is often difficult
to find others
who have been
through a similar
experience.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research
Foundation developed MesoConnect as a
way to help build a support network. The
program offers connections with those who
know what it is like to care for a loved one
with mesothelioma.
For more info, visit http://www.curemeso.org/

11. PLANNING
FOR THE FUTURE
requires understanding your legal rights to find out what
resources might be available. This can protect your family
from the financial burdens of the disease and provide a
continuation of care.

12. We encourage you to contact the law firm of
Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC, to learn how we can help.
CALL 843-410-3956.
© 2017 Richardson, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC All Rights Reserved.
Design and editorial services by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters.
READ
OUR WHITE PAPER
Learn about the issues that arise after a
mesothelioma diagnosis. The disease can
quickly change life for both patients and their
families. Take action right away to determine
your legal rights.