Legal Glossary

Adjuvant Therapy - treatment used in addition to the main medical treatment.

Affadavit – A written statement whereby the signer swears to its truth before a notary or other judicial officer. A witness’s affidavit may be accepted in place of testimony in court.

AJCC Staging System – American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system (also called the TNM system), which describes the extent of a cancer’s spread in Roman numerals from 0 through IV.

Appeal – a request to a higher court to reverse the decision of a trial court’s final judgment.

Asbestos – a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral popular in manufacturing and industry due to its strength, chemical and thermal stability. Types include: chrysotile (which accounted for 95% of industrial use), amosite and crocidolite.

Asbestosis – an asbestos-related disease which causes scarring of the lung tissue.

Biopsy – a procedure performed with a needle or surgical incision to remove a tissue sample to determine the presence of cancer cells through microscopic analysis.

Bronchoscopy - a thin, lighted tube (bronchoscope) inserted through the nose or mouth to examine the breathing passages at the entrance to your lungs.

Butchart Staging System – The staging system most often used for mesothelioma. It is divided into Stages I – IV with the levels determined by the tissue involved.

Carcinogenic – substances that produce cancer or cancer growth.

Chemotherapy – drug treatment to destroy cancer cells.

Claim – a demand for money or relief.

Clinical Trails – research studies that test new medical treatments and other interventions work in people. Tests may be preventative, diagnostic or therapeutic.

Class Action – A lawsuit filed by one or more personal injury victims (plaintiffs) on their own behalf as well as a larger group “who are similarly situated”. The decision is binding to all parties.

Complaint – The first document filed with the court by the plaintiff stating the factual and legal basis for claiming legal rights against the defendant(s).

Defendant – The party from whom the plaintiff is seeking damages or corrective action because of a negligent, unlawful or improper act

Endoscope - an illuminated optic instrument that is inserted through an incision.

Fibrosis – formation of fibrous, scar-like tissue.

Imaging Tests - takes pictures of the lungs and can detect problems such as a mass, an infection, air in the pleural space. Visual imaging tests include; chest x-rays, CTs (computed tomography).

Intrapleurally – inserting chemotherapy drugs directly into the chest cavity.

Intraperitoneally – inserting chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity.

Intraoperative photodynamic therapy is a new treatment that uses special drugs and light to kill cancer cells. Its use in the early states of mesothelioma in the chest is being studied.

Judgement – an official court order deciding the rights or claims of the parties in a legal proceeding.

Jurisdiction – A power constitutionally conferred upon a judge or magistrate, to take cognizance of and decide causes according to law and to carry his sentence into execution. The tract of land or district within which a judge or magistrate has jurisdiction, is called his territory.

Lawsuit - a legal action by one person or entity against another person or entity.

Latency Period – the period from initial exposure to a substance to the onset of the disease.

Lung Cancer - uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in lung tissue.

Malignant Mesothelioma – A very rare form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure that occurs in the sac lining of the chest (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).

Mediastinoscopy - a tube is inserted through an incision above the breastbone to look at the area between the lungs

Mesothelioma – Malignant tumor of the mesothelium caused by exposure to asbestos fibers.

Mesothelium – Tissue formed by specialized cells lining the chest, abdominal cavities and outer surface of most internal organs. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that helps organs by enabling them to move. 

Metastases(s)/Metastasis – spread of disease from original site in the body to remote sites. 

MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a diagnostic procedure that uses a magnetic field to provide three-dimensional images of internal body structures. 

Needle biopsy – a procedure where a needle is inserted through a bronchoscope or the chest wall to collect tissue or fluid. 

Negligence - Failure to exercise the care toward others which would reasonably be expected of a person in the circumstances, or taking action which a reasonable person would not. 

Oncologist – A physician specializing in cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

Oncology – The branch of medicine devoted to cancer diagnosis and treatment. 

Para Occupational Exposure – exposure to asbestos through the fibers that cling to worker’s clothing, shoes, skin and hair. 

Pathologist - A specialist physician expert in the origin and development of disease and the microscopic analysis of body tissues. 

PET Scan – Positron Emission Tomography test used to verify misothelioma diagnosis. 

Plaintiff – the party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint with the clerk of the court against the defendant(s). 

Pneumoconiosis - Fibrosis and scarring of the lungs as a result of repeated inhalation of occupationally associated dust, such as silica, asbestos, and coal dust. 

Pleura – membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity. 

Plueral Effusion – accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. 

Pleural Mesothelioma – cancer of the pleura (membrane lining the lungs and chest cavity). 

Pleurectomy – a surgical procedure to remove part of the chest or abdomen lining (pleura) and some of the tissue around it. 

Pneumonectomy – surgical procedure to remove the entire lung. 

Pleurodesis – a treatment administered through a thorascopy or existing chest tube. 

Pulmonary Function Tests – measure how well the lungs are working and include: Spirometry, which measures the amount of air the lungs can hold; lung volume tests to measure the amount of air remaining in the lungs after exhaling; lung diffusion tests and pulse oximetry which measure the amount of oxygen passed from the lungs to the blood. 

Pulmonologist - A specialist physician expert in the treatment of lung disease. 

Radiation Therapy – treatment with high-energy rays to destroy or shrink cancer cells. 

Risk Factor – something that increases the likelihood of cancer. 

Screening - Testing for disease in people without symptoms. 

Settlement - resolution of a lawsuit or legal dispute prior to a final court judgment. 

Statute of Limitations - sets the maximum period after which the right to file a lawsuit expires. 

Trial – the examination of facts and law presided over by a judge with authority to hear the matter.
Wrongful Death – alleges that the deceased was killed as a result of the defendant(s)’ negligence or other liability and that survivors and dependents are entitled to monetary damages as a result of the defendant’s action.

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