MESOTHELIOMA NEWS
U.S. joins other countries in recognizing "Rare Disease Day" on Feb. 28th

February 24, 2009 – On February 28, the United States will participate for the first time in recognizing Rare Disease Day with other countries around the world. On this day, the world’s nations will acknowledge about 6,000 rare diseases – including mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is the deadliest form of asbestos-caused cancer and can take 20 to 50 years to appear. By the time the disease is diagnosed, it is often incurable. Approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States every year.

The goal of Rare Disease Day is to raise awareness of rare diseases among government officials and the public. The National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) is responsible for bringing the event to the United States, after the event’s first celebration last year.

This year, for the first time, Rare Disease Day will also be celebrated in Panama, Australia, Columbia, Argentina and China.

The truth about asbestos

Despite the potentially fatal health consequences associated with asbestos exposure, asbestos is still imported and used in the United States for its insulation and fire-retardant properties. The United States imported and used an estimated 1,820 tons of asbestos in 2007, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Government sources estimate that in the next decade more than 35,000 people nationwide will be diagnosed with the deadliest form of asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma. This disease is most often the result of industrial workplace exposure to asbestos – and usually contracted through employers’ blatant disregard for the health and safety of their workers. That’s why people diagnosed with mesothelioma and their family members have strong cases in court.

Time to seek justice!

Weitz & Luxenberg has protected the legal rights of workers for 25 years. And in that time the firm's mesothelioma lawyers have won several billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and seek FREE legal guidance and answers to your concerns, please notify us through the communication form on this page. We will pursue your claim with vigilance to help you receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and damages. There is no cost to you until we win a settlement or a verdict.