Asbestosis and mesothelioma can both be caused due to ingesting or inhaling microscopic fibers made of asbestos. However, they aren’t the same illness and both require different treatment approaches. The main difference between these conditions is that asbestosis is not considered a cancerous illness, while mesothelioma is.

It is important to note that anyone who is diagnosed with either of these diseases reflects about in what way they could have been exposed to these harmful fibers. Lawsuits against past employers for asbestos exposure are not uncommon. Consider speaking with an attorney near you if you suspect an employer or other party could have protected your exposure, but failed to do so.

Here, we discuss further the differences and similarities between asbestosis and mesothelioma: 

Why Asbestos and Mesothelioma Develop

Mesothelioma and asbestosis have the same cause, which is due to asbestos exposure. People who work in construction, industrial fields, electricians, miners, firefighters, shipyard workers, or power plant workers, are more vulnerable to asbestos exposure. Both these diseases have a latency period in which it may take upwards of forty years before symptoms of asbestosis and mesothelioma are observed and diagnosed.

Asbestosis develops as a result of scar tissue after asbestos fibers have built up in the alveoli. The alveoli is small sacs of air in the lungs where an exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen occurs. Asbestosis worsens as time goes on, where more scarring accumulates and the lungs become more rigid. Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers get stuck in the lung lining. 

Symptoms of Both Diseases

When a doctor is examining a patient for mesothelioma or asbestosis, there are a group of symptoms that apply to both illnesses. Symptoms such as persistent coughing, weight loss, shortness of breath, and weight loss could be a sign of mesothelioma or asbestosis. However, patients with mesothelioma tend to experience more severe symptoms as the illness progresses.

A symptom that applies more to asbestos is when the fingers and nails have an abnormal, very rounded shape. Otherwise referred to as “finger clubbing,” this symptom occurs due to consistent low levels of oxygen in the blood. The nails slowly become softer, rounder, and wider. Patients with mesothelioma can develop clubbed fingers and toes as well, but it’s less common. 

Diagnosing Procedure

The process of diagnosing asbestosis and mesothelioma are both the same, in which the patient must have imaging tests done. Usually, the initial step entails a CT scan or x-ray, so the doctor can look at how the patient’s lungs are affected. On the imaging, excessive white areas in the lungs could be a sign of illness. Blood tests and a biopsy may also be conducted, particularly for those with possible mesothelioma, to identify the presence of cancerous cells. 

The pain and suffering and medical bills associated with a mesothelioma or asbestosis diagnosis can be profoundly expensive. As stated above, if you or someone you loved was diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis, then it’s in your best interest to speak with a lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer from Wieand Law Firm, to see if compensation can be sought from the party responsible for the exposure. 

Sasha Baron Cohen’s Borat movies are popular with fans of Cohen’s cringe-worthy satire.  They have also been popular targets for lawsuits.  Baron Cohen and the producers of the two Borat films, Borat:  Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan and Borat Subsequent Movie Film, have been sued at least seven times.  In the movies, Baron Cohen plays Borat, a clueless and crude journalist from Kazakhstan.  Baron Cohen lures unsuspecting subjects into embarrassing situations, as his Borat character pretends to be on a quest to learn about American culture.  Several people, unhappy with their unflattering portrayals in the movies, have filed suit, claiming to have been tricked into unwittingly participating in the movies.

To date, the lawsuits have achieved only limited success.  While Baron Cohen clearly does not warn his subjects that his intent is to embarrass them in a film that will be widely viewed in the United States, Baron Cohen does have his subjects sign a release before filming.  Presumably, Baron Cohen allows his participants to have the impression that he is filming a documentary that will be shown in Kazakhstan, while the release allows Baron Cohen and his studios broad rights to use the footage.

Following the release of the first film in 2006, Baron Cohen and 20th Century Fox were sued by an Alabama etiquette coach, Kathie Martin, who accused Baron Cohen of “tricking her into being a part of a childish prank.”  Martin, perhaps one of the more sympathetic plaintiffs in the lawsuits filed against Baron Cohen, engaged in a futile attempt to teach Borat Southern manners, only to bring Borat to a dinner party where he defecated into a plastic bag .  Citing the language in the release signed by Martin, the Alabama Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit, although one of the justices expressed sympathy for the fact that Martin had been exposed to “boorish and offensive” behavior.

Baron Cohen and 20th Century Fox were also sued following the first film by two University of South Carolina fraternity brothers after the movie showed the fraternity brothers making sexist and racist comments.  Like Martin, the fraternity brothers claimed that they had been tricked into participating in the movie, contending they had been told that the film would not be shown in the United States. They also claimed that Baron Cohen took advantage of their intoxication.  Again, this suit was dismissed based on the release language. 

Some scenes in the first Borat movie were filmed in the village of Glod, Romania.  For their appearance as extras in the film, villagers received $70 to $100 each, although some people received as little as three lei (the equivalent of $1.28 at the time).  After learning of the success of the movie, villagers filed suit, seeking $83 million in damages.  The lawsuit was dismissed in 2006 and again in 2008.

One lawsuit that achieved some success was filed by a Macedonian singer, Esma RedZepova, who alleged that one of her songs had been used in the movie without her permission.  She sued for $800,000  but was awarded approximately $26,000.

The most poignant story about litigation arising out of the Borat movies involves a lawsuit filed by the daughter of a Holocaust survivor over her mother’s appearance in the 2020 sequel.  In the movie, Borat interviews Holocaust survivor, Judith Dim Evans, and espouses anti-Semitic and Holocaust-denying views.  Rather than reacting with justifiable anger, Evans tries to explain, with patience and kindness, why Borat’s views are wrong.  It is one of the few instances in the Borat films where a participant in the film is portrayed favorably.  Unfortunately, Evans passed away before the movie was released.  Concerned that her mother was made to be the butt of one of Baron Cohen’s jokes, Evans’ daughter filed suit prior to the release of the film, contending that Baron Cohen and Amazon had misappropriated her mother’s likeness.  In the suit, Evans’ daughter sought an injunction, requiring Amazon to remove Evans from the film.  Ultimately, Baron Cohen, who has made combating Holocaust denial a personal cause, dedicated the movie to Evans.  Baron Cohen also helped create a website in Evans’ honor and Amazon is developing bonus content for the film that will tell Evans’ Holocaust story.  The lawsuit was dismissed.

If you believe you have a strong case for injury, find out more about your options by, contacting a personal injury lawyer in Sebastian, FL, like from Tuttle Law, as soon as possible.

Personal Injury Lawyer

In most accidents that result in injuries, someone is found at fault. If someone else was responsible for causing your injuries, it can make the claims process a little more straightforward, as you’ll turn to their insurance for compensation. However, what if no one is at fault for your injury? Who do you turn to for compensation then? The answers are usually simple, mainly because you can generally find fault, even if it is just your own. Here’s how fault is determined and what it means for your case.

Negligence and Fault

Fault for any injury is determined by the negligent actions of one or more of the parties involved in the accident. For example, if a driver was texting and they rear-ended another car, causing whiplash in that driver, the texting driver’s negligence would make them at fault. To file a claim with that person’s insurance, you must be able to prove that they were negligent and that their negligence caused the accident that led to your injuries.

Proving Negligence

Proving another’s negligence is a tricky task. To do so, you must provide evidence that confirms the other person’s negligence. For the texting driver, you may be able to speak to witnesses who can confirm the driver was texting just before the crash. The more evidence you give, the greater chance your claim has of success. If there is any doubt about who was at fault, the insurance company may refuse to compensate you.

No-Fault States

Most states have different laws for determining fault. Some split the fault between the two parties if both were partially at fault, while others are no-fault states. If you live in a no-fault state, you can only file a claim with your own insurance, even if another person caused your injuries.

When No One Is at Fault

If it seems like no one was at fault for your injury, take another close look at the situation. Slips and falls may appear innocent, but they can actually be the result of a company not properly maintaining the building or warning passersby of hazards. You may discover that your employer, another driver, or a company can be filed against for compensation.

If you are unclear about who is at fault for your injury, reach out to a personal injury lawyer, like from Barry P. Goldberg. They can help settle the facts about your case and create a strong claim to get you back on your feet.