Vogelzang Law is composed of talented lawyers with diverse backgrounds and experience. The common denominator is fierce client advocacy and dedication to justice. We vehemently support the victims of asbestos exposure and the researchers and organizations fighting to find a cure. We dedicate ourselves to furthering mesothelioma research through contributions to specific institutions and charitable organizations.
We are fully committed to serving clients suffering from asbestos-related diseases and getting them the compensation they deserve. We have the resources and experience of a large firm, but give each case the personal attention that only a specialized firm can provide.
At Vogelzang Law, our commitment to clients extends well beyond the courtroom’s walls. We are your mesothelioma lawyers.
With over 20 years of experience in toxic tort cases, we have extensive experience in the medical and legal complexities of asbestos litigation.
It’s more than doing what is right, it is knowing and living what is right. We are uncompromising in our adherence to ethical principles and honesty.
Trust is built over time, through consistent honesty and by taking honorable actions, not just words. Our clients can testify to this.
We approach each person with genuine care and concern about their needs, suspending judgment in appreciation for their perspective and situation.
We set ourselves apart by looking deeper and seeing the whole person, not just a case. We define ourselves by our unwavering commitment and holistic approach to obtaining justice for our clients and their families.
You've been silenced for too long, we are your voice against corporations that won't take accountability for their actions. We speak up for you.
Vogelzang Law is composed of talented lawyers with diverse backgrounds and experience. The common denominator is fierce client advocacy and dedication to justice. We vehemently support the victims of asbestos exposure and the researchers and organizations fighting to find a cure. We dedicate ourselves to furthering mesothelioma research through contributions to specific institutions and charitable organizations.
We are fully committed to serving clients suffering from asbestos-related diseases and getting them the compensation they deserve. We have the resources and experience of a large firm, but give each case the personal attention that only a specialized firm can provide.
At Vogelzang Law, our commitment to clients extends well beyond the courtroom’s walls. We are your mesothelioma lawyers.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer found in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles. Because symptoms can be similar to those of several other conditions, such as the flu or pneumonia, they can be challenging to detect or diagnose.
Malignant mesothelioma has one proven cause—asbestos exposure and has no known cure.
People who were exposed to asbestos fibers from asbestos-containing products in the workplace and were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease may be eligible to recover compensation for their medical expenses and other losses through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
Corporations were often aware of a worker’s exposure but did nothing to warn or protect them.
Why should you hire a Chicago asbestos or mesothelioma attorney?
At Vogelzang Law, we believe those wrongfully exposed to asbestos deserve justice.
As you and your loved ones cope with your mesothelioma or lung cancer diagnosis, one of our experienced asbestos attorneys can offer you helpful knowledge and resources to obtain justice.
Among the various types of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent. Pleural mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the pleura, the thin, sheet-like membrane that covers the inner surface of the rib cage and lungs. As the cancer progresses, the pleura thickens and makes breathing difficult.
People with pleural mesothelioma frequently suffer from pleural effusion, a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of excess fluid in the pleural space, which is the thin fluid-filled area between the membrane covering the lungs and the membrane lining the chest wall. In fact, pleural effusion is one of the most common complications and presenting features of pleural mesothelioma.
Treatment is possible and often includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. For patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, where the tumor cannot be surgically removed with clear margins or without significant risk to vital structures, specific drug combinations have been approved as a first-line treatment option.
Pleural mesothelioma comes with these symptoms:
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining (mesothelium) of the abdomen (peritoneum), covering the visceral organs. When asbestos fibers become lodged in the lungs and trachea, they can make their way into the abdomen and cause cancer to develop. This condition causes the abdomen to fill with liquid and begin to swell.
Like pleural mesothelioma, treatment for this type of malignant mesothelioma is possible. Patients often require surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy.
The symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:
Pericardial mesothelioma is quite uncommon. Those with this condition develop cancerous cells in the lining of the heart. Treatment tends to involve multiple approaches and could require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and participation in clinical trials.
Patients diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma show the following symptoms:
Testicular mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis, is an extremely rare cancer that develops in the lining of the testes. Because this condition is so rare, patients may require multiple treatments to slow its progression. Unfortunately, testicular mesothelioma is known for its few visible symptoms. Research is still developing to explain the link between asbestos and tunica vaginalis tumors.
Treatment options for testicular mesothelioma may involve a multimodal approach. Surgery may be an option in some cases; however, it is not a guarantee. Treatment options may include:
Epithelial mesothelioma is a type of mesothelioma that originates from the epithelial cells, which form the lining of various internal organs in the body. This type of mesothelioma accounts for about 50-70% of all cases.
Epithelial mesothelioma is typically slow-growing and tends to respond better to treatment than other types of mesothelioma. However, it can still be a serious and life-threatening condition.
Symptoms of epithelial mesothelioma can include chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of imaging tests (such as X-rays or CT scans) and biopsies (taking a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope).
Treatment for epithelial mesothelioma may involve surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy, depending on the stage and severity of the cancer.
Prognosis can vary widely depending on various factors such as the stage of the cancer, the age and overall health of the patient, and the specific characteristics of the tumor.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common cell type. Patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma often face a less favorable prognosis. Sarcomatoid tumors are composed of large spindle-shaped cells that form fibrous bundles within the mesothelium. These fibrous cells develop in the pleural membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity.
Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is aggressive, grows quickly, and spreads rapidly to other areas of the body. It is resistant to treatment and considered the most deadly. If you’re at increased risk of developing mesothelioma and experiencing any mesothelioma symptoms, it’s imperative to talk to your physician about this aggressive cancer.
Biphasic mesothelioma indicates the presence of both sarcomatoid and epithelioid cells. Patients with this type of mesothelioma may face an uncertain prognosis, which can vary depending on the ratio of epithelioid to sarcomatoid cells. Biphasic tumors are more common in pleural rather than peritoneal mesothelioma patients. But no matter where it occurs, cancer treatment for this type of mesothelioma may be more challenging with this diagnosis.
If cancer spreads beyond the primary tumor in the lungs, heart, abdomen, or testes, the condition is deemed metastatic. Metastatic mesothelioma can affect multiple parts of the body and is often associated with stages three and four of the disease.
Because mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to other conditions like pneumonia or the flu, it can be difficult to detect and diagnose. Common symptoms of malignant mesothelioma may include:
The four common modalities to treat mesothelioma are:
In addition to these treatment options, other therapies may include photodynamic therapy, hormone therapy, and stem cell transplants.
Many factors and combinations of factors affect your mesothelioma cancer prognosis. Some of them include the following:
Only an experienced mesothelioma cancer physician can recommend the best treatment for the best possible malignant mesothelioma prognosis.
Considered a rare cancer, malignant mesothelioma can be challenging to diagnose, not just because of its rarity but also because the symptoms you experience could be due to another type of cancer, such as lung cancer.
That said, regardless of whether it’s lung cancer or mesothelioma, it’s important you see a physician if you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms described above and you were exposed to asbestos 20 or more years ago.
Physical Test:
Imaging Tests:
Thoracoscopic Surgical Biopsy:
Needle Biopsy:
Originally developed by the International Mesothelioma Interest Group, the TNM staging system is the most accurate and the most commonly-used system in mesothelioma diagnosis. It describes tumors (T), lymph nodes (N), and how your cancer has spread, or metastasized (M).
The TNM staging system is very detailed, involving notations like T1N0MX or T3N1M0 where the tumors, the lymph nodes, and the metastasis is further quantified.
By conducting the appropriate tests, your physician can determine the staging of your mesothelioma. This is important because it:
No Chicago worker or resident should have to face the consequences of mesothelioma from asbestos exposure alone. If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related illness, Vogelzang Law can help.
With over 20 years of experience, a proven track record, and an unwavering commitment to clients, we are ready to stand by your side.
Our Chicago asbestos exposure attorneys will work to hold negligent corporations accountable for their actions, recover the compensation you deserve, and help ease the overwhelming challenges of an asbestos-related diagnosis. We want you to focus on your health and your family while we take care of the rest.
Don’t wait. Contact Vogelzang Law today at (312) 466-1669 or through our online form for a free consultation to discuss your case and legal options for financial compensation. Justice is within reach, and we are here to help you fight for it.