If you or a family member were diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related cancer, you may be entitled to significant compensation. A qualified attorney can help you understand your legal rights to compensation.
Doyle APC attorneys have helped people just like you to recover millions of dollars in settlements to help ease the burden of this tragic disease.
We are here to help you:
- Understand your legal rights associated with Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers
- Understand the legal process and how it relates to you and your case
- Determine the right course of action for you
If you or a family member was diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, please contact us for a free, confidential consultation or call 1-800-736-9085.
About Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lung Cancer
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure that can affect the protective lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart.
Most people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease inhaled asbestos particles, dust or fibers at work or a job site.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Because of the delayed onset of symptoms (up to 40 years after exposure), many victims of asbestos exposure are not diagnosed with the disease until it has advanced to a late stage.
While some with the disease may not show any symptoms initially, others experience mild to severe symptoms including
- Painful breathing
- Back, chest, and/or abdominal pain
- Coughing
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden weight loss
- Fatigue
- Bloating or swelling
Anyone with a history or likelihood of asbestos exposure experiencing these symptoms is encouraged to visit a physician specialist for a thorough examination.
Those with past asbestos exposure should visit a doctor for regular mesothelioma screenings even if they are not currently experiencing symptoms.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma comes as a shock. You may have felt healthy for many years before symptoms start to appear.
While you may not be able to change your diagnosis, there are options for how you empower yourself to tackle this. If you’ve been diagnosed, educating yourself is of primary importance.
Coping with your recent diagnosis requires an emotional and physical commitment for all parties involved. Three key elements to manage this disease are:
- A strong family and social network
- Expert medical advice and attention
- Professional legal advice and assistance
Dealing with the illness by educating yourself thoroughly is the best approach you can take.
In doing so, familiarize yourself with the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of mesothelioma and asbestos cancers.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention
Medical advice and attention are extremely important. Your primary physician may be the one who diagnosed mesothelioma, however, a second opinion is always recommended. Not just an opinion from another doctor but ideally a group of specialists who can provide the most efficient treatment and care plan customized especially for you or your loved one.
Types of specialists include thoracic surgeons, oncologists, and pain management experts. Unique treatment plans are usually determined by the patients’ age and health. Typically they can consist of radiation, chemotherapy, oral medications, surgery, gene therapy, pain management, and more.
Legal Consultation and Compensation
Under the law, if you or a family member were diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos cancer, you may be entitled to significant compensation from the companies that are responsible for the asbestos-containing products that caused your disease.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Statistics and Lawsuits
The United States government did not start tracking mesothelioma as a unique cause of death until 1999, thus statistical results earlier than 1999 may be unreliable. The following are estimates taken from various studies
- Men are five times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma
- Each year more than 10,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease
- About 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States
- Nearly 75% of mesothelioma victims are over 65 years old
- Mesothelioma may not show symptoms for up to 40 years
- By 2030 asbestos will cause 60,000 instances of mesothelioma and 250,000 asbestos-related cancers
- More than 500,000 asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed in the U.S.
Asbestos Exposure Statistics
- 125 million workers throughout the world are exposed to asbestos on the job
- 1.3 million construction workers are exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos each year
- 8 million people in the United States have been exposed to asbestos
- Insulation workers have 344% greater chance of being diagnosed with mesothelioma
- 110,000 schools in the U.S. still contain some form of asbestos
- Between 100,000 and 300,000 teachers have been exposed to asbestos
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Claims
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related cancer, you may have important legal rights subject to time limits. You may be entitled to compensation from employers, manufacturers or others responsible for your asbestos exposure.
Your legal rights vary depending on many factors such as your residence, where you were exposed to asbestos, and the location of the responsible asbestos companies. Depending on the unique circumstances of each case, victims and their families may be eligible to collect restitution for medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages and other losses.
Each state has its own laws and its own deadlines for allowing victims of asbestos disease to file lawsuits.
Mesothelioma Legal Rights and Eligibility
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease, your potential legal claim can depend on several factors including
- Statutes of limitation (time limits)
- Locations of your exposure
- Identifying who are the responsible parties
This can be a complicated process.
We have helped many victims and families navigate this legal process and file claims in the $30 billion in trust funds set aside by the industry.
If you are a close family member of a person who died of an asbestos-related disease, you may also have the right to seek compensation for your loss. The laws of the different states vary as to which family members have the legal right to recover for the wrongful death of a family member. We can help determine which state is best for your case, depending upon your individual situation.
Time Limits to File Mesothelioma and Asbestos Claims
While you may have the right to sue if you or a family member has an asbestos-related disease, there is a time frame during which you must file your claim. This time limit varies from state to state and if you wait too long you may be barred from taking action. If you are interested in filing a claim, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible.
If you or a family member was diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos cancer, you can contact us for a free, confidential consultation or call us at 1-800-736-9085.