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Choosing a Lawyer
- How quickly do I need to find a lawyer?
- What should happen at the initial interview?
- What questions should I ask before retaining a law firm?
- What should a lawyer charge?
- What is National Board of Trial Lawyers, Certification?
- How should I choose a lawyer to handle my asbestos case?
About Brayton Purcell
How long has Brayton Purcell been in business?
Brayton Purcell has been in business for over 24 years. Our firm has extensive trial experience and specialized knowledge in medical, construction, and technical areas. For more information, see About Us.
What type of cases does Brayton Purcell take?
Brayton Purcell is a plaintiffs’ law firm helping injured people, workers, seniors, and families. Many of the cases that we handle concern asbestos injuries (asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos diseases); tobacco litigation; personal and medical injuries; consumer crematory disputes; elder abuse; and exposure to toxic substances such as beryllium and toxic mold. For a full list of our practice areas, see Legal Areas. To get an idea of the breadth and depth of our trial experience, see In the Courts.
Medical Questions
How can I find out if I have an asbestos–related disease?
Asbestos–related diseases such as asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer, and mesothelioma take decades to develop. Early disease symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain may not always be apparent.
If you were exposed to asbestos, we recommend that you tell your doctor at your next physical examination. In that way, he or she can monitor your health over the years and be on the lookout for any signs of asbestos disease. Your doctor may initially take a 4–view chest X–ray to get an idea of the condition of your lungs. If the X–ray indicates health problems, other more specialized tests may be necessary including pulmonary function exams.
What types of health problems may be caused by mold?
Sneezing, wheezing, red eyes, headaches, fatigue, lung infections, and breathing difficulty may be caused by continuing exposure to certain molds in your home or workplace. Many of these problems may be allergic reactions. Whether or not you develop these symptoms depends upon the extent of your exposure, your sensitivity to mold, and your current state of health. See Are Molds Dangerous? for more information and resources.
What is chronic beryllium disease or berylliosis? Who is at risk for developing this health problem?
Beryllium is a strong, lightweight metal used in the nuclear and electronics industries as well as in some dental appliances and sports equipment. Exposure to beryllium dust can cause a painful scarring of the lung tissue known as chronic beryllium disease or berylliosis. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, fevers, skin rash, and night sweats.
Those who work in the atomic energy, nuclear, or electronics fields may be exposed to beryllium. Grinders, machinists, hot press operators, and welders may come into contact with beryllium compounds. Dental technicians who machine or polish dental alloys containing beryllium may also be at risk for developing chronic beryllium disease.