9/11 Mesothelioma and Asbestos Disease 

The attacks on the World Trade Center left a tragic mark on our history. As the towers crumbled, debris and building material fell, making the recovery process even more dangerous. The materials in the building remains included asbestos, a substance known to cause deadly disease. If you or someone you love suffers from mesothelioma or an asbestos disease related to exposure from September 11th, contact the attorneys at Pitta & Baione to discuss your edibility for benefits under the Victim Compensation Fund.

Victim Compensation Fund

The Victim Compensation Fund was established to compensate survivors of September 11th for 9/11 related illnesses. The World Trade Center Health Program covers mesothelioma disease found in the pericardium, peritoneum, pleura, (membranes that encapsulate major organs of the body) and other places in the body. Knowing more about these covered conditions will help you understand your claim for benefits under the Victim Compensation Fund. 

Understanding Mesothelioma and Asbestos Disease

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the mesothelium tissue of the body. This tissue lines a number of vital organs, including the lungs, stomach, and heart. Asbestos disease is a chronic lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos, a material used in building and construction for years. We now know that asbestos causes severe illnesses, of which there are many types.

Symptoms of 9/11 Mesothelioma and Asbestos Disease

Mesothelioma and asbestos disease severely impact the lungs ability to breathe. It can take years after exposure to asbestos before signs and symptoms appear. Symptoms of these diseases generally include:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent, dry cough
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Chest tightness or pain

Additional symptoms of mesothelioma can present more specifically in the areas affected by a particular type of mesothelioma. For example, peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the abdomen, may cause abdominal pain and swelling as well as nausea. Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs, can cause fluid in the chest and difficulty swallowing.

Diagnosing and Treating Mesothelioma

As with other cancers, diagnosing mesothelioma requires a biopsy to examine the affected cells. Initial image testing such as CT scans will help the doctor identify the affected areas and develop a treatment plan. Surgery may be needed to remove cancerous cells and tumors, but often mesothelioma is too advanced to remove the cancer. Surgery can still treat symptoms, such as surgery to drain fluid from the chest or remove some of the damaged tissue to relieve pain. Chemotherapy and radiation may be used to remove some of the cancer cells and stop further spread of cancer.

Contact a September 11th Attorney to Discuss Your Eligibility for Benefits

If you or a loved one suffer from mesothelioma or asbestos diseases related to exposure from September 11th, contact a 9/11 lawyer at Pitta & Baione by completing our online contact form or calling us at 844-982-2667 to discuss your eligibility for benefits.

Pitta & Baione LLP Successful Claims

BREAST CANCER

^$3+ Million

Secured an expedited award for a former Lower Manhattan corporate executive who developed 9/11 breast cancer.

BRAIN CANCER

^$1.95+ Million

Favorable result secured for an NYPD detective who responded to the attacks and later suffered from 9/11 brain cancer.

LUNG CANCER

^$1.76+ Million

Secured a wrongful death claim on behalf of a union carpenter who worked on the 9/11 cleanup efforts at Ground Zero and was later diagnosed with 9/11 lung cancer.

THYROID CANCER

^$1.65+ Million

Secured a favorable result for an area worker in Lower Manhattan who later developed 9/11 thyroid cancer.

BRAIN CANCER

^$1.7+ Million

Secured an expedited award for New York State Supreme Court employee who was disabled by 9/11 brain cancer.

LEUKEMIA

^$1.3+ Million

Secured a wrongful death award on behalf of a Lower Manhattan corporate executive who was diagnosed with 9/11 leukemia.

LUNG CANCER

^$1.1+ Million

Secured an expedited award for a union carpenter who worked in Lower Manhattan after 9/11 and was later found disabled by 9/11 lung cancer.

LUNG DISEASE

^$1.1+ Million

Secured an expedited award for a Local 94 operating engineer who worked in Lower Manhattan after 9/11 and was later found disabled by 9/11 lung disease.

NASAL CAVITY CANCER

^$1+ Million

Secured an xpedited award for a DSNY sanitation worker who assisted in the 9/11 cleanup efforts at Ground Zero and was later diagnosed with 9/11 nasal cavity cancer.

BRAIN CANCER

^$1+ Million

Secured an expedited award for a New York City Department of Corrections corrections officer who served as a volunteer responder on 9/11 and later developed a disabling and rare 9/11 brain cancer.

LUNG CANCER

^$960+ Thousand

Secured a favorable result for a wrongful death claim on behalf of a TWU Local 100 MTA worker who participated in the 9/11 recovery efforts and later developed 9/11 lung cancer.

COLON CANCER

^$770+ Thousand

Successfully represented an union carpenter who built temporary structures at Ground Zero as a 9/11 responder and later developed disabling 9/11 colon cancer.

View More Successful Claims