If you or a family member were diagnosed with mesothelioma or an 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
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.
Questions and Answers 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.
What are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma or Asbestos Exposure?
Because of the delayed onset of symptoms (up to 50 years after exposure), many victims of asbestos exposure are not diagnosed with the disease until it has advanced to the latter stages. 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 skilled physician 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.
Have You Been Diagnosed with Mesothelioma or an Asbestos Related Cancer?
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma comes as a shock. You may have felt healthy for many years before symptoms started 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.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention
Medical advice and attention is extremely important. Your primary physician may be the one who diagnosed mesothelioma, however a second opinion is always recommended. Not 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 has mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation from the companies that are responsible for the asbestos products that caused your disease. Submit your request for a FREE, no obligation, consultation by filling out the short form on this page.
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Statistics
The United States government did not start tracking mesothelioma as a unique cause of death until 1999, hence statistical results earlier than 1999 include some conjecture. Below please find up-to-date information concerning Mesothelioma and asbestos-related diagnoses, mortality, treatment, exposure, and lawsuits. We will assist and encourage you to learn about your mesothelioma diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, each of which is vital to the success of your treatment planning and legal course of action.
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
- Compared to women, men are five times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma.
- Every year, more than 10,000 people throughout the world are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
- In the United States approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year.
- Smokers exposed to asbestos are 90% more likely to develop mesothelioma than non-smokers who come in contact with asbestos.
- Currently, 75% of mesothelioma victims are over 65 years old.
- Mesothelioma may not show symptoms, or remain dormant in the body for 15 to 50 years before being detected.
- Mesothelioma diagnoses in patients aged 20-30 are increasing.
- Worldwide, mesothelioma occurs in approximately 9 out of every 1 million people.
- Each year, the incidence rate of mesothelioma diagnoses is approximately 1 in every 106,571 Americans.
- The number of male mesothelioma diagnoses between 2003 and 2054 is expected to reach 71,000.
Mesothelioma Mortality
- In 1999 researchers determined more than one-third of mesothelioma fatalities were persons who resided in California, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and New York.
- 10% of those diagnosed with mesothelioma live 5 years or longer
- Average survival time after mesothelioma diagnosis is one year.
- Scientists estimate by the year 2030 asbestos will have caused 60,000 instances of mesothelioma and around 250,000 other asbestos-related cancers that result in death.
- The mesothelioma death rate for asbestos insulation workers is 344 times as great as the general population.
- Most mesothelioma victims succumb to the disease within 18 months of the diagnosis.
- More than 7,500 mesothelioma related fatalities occurred in the United States between 1999 and 2001.
Mesothelioma Treatment
- Mesothelioma treatment is prohibitively expensive, and often requires outside financial support. Treatment can cost between $400,000 and $800,000.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits and Legal Claims
- More than 500,000 asbestos exposure / mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed in the United States.
Asbestos Exposure
- It is estimated 125 million workers throughout the world are exposed to asbestos on the job.
- 1.3 million Workers in the construction industry are exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos each year.
- 8 million people in the United States have been exposed to asbestos.
- It is estimated more than 110,000 schools in the United States still contain some form of asbestos.
- 45% of men with mesothelioma have had a history of asbestos exposure and 53% have had a history of occupational asbestos exposure.
- It is estimated 100,000 to 300,000 teachers have potentially been exposed to airborne asbestos.
- In one study of 1,664 asbestos factory employees and their families, five household members died of diseases related to indirect (secondary) asbestos exposure.
Asbestosis Mortality
- Asbestosis-related fatalities increased from 77 deaths in 1986 to 1,493 deaths in 2000.
If you or a loved on has recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease, you owe to yourself to find out about your legal rights by arranging a FREE consultation with one of our knowledgeable professionals. Obtaining treatment, as well as the emotional and financial support you and your family need, is possible. Take the first step toward justice and learn about your options.
Mesothelioma Asbestos Claims – Your Legal Rights
If you or someone you know has an asbestos-related disease, you have legal rights that may entitle you to compensation from employers, manufacturers or others responsible for your asbestos exposure. Your 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 its own deadlines for allowing victims of asbestos disease to file lawsuits, called statutes of limitation and statutes of repose.
The effects of asbestos 20, 30 and even 40 or more years later have been devastating. Workers exposed to asbestos could contract Mesothelioma, a terminal cancer or other asbestos-related diseases like asbestosis.
Under the law, if you have an asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation from the companies that are responsible for the asbestos products that caused your disease. Submit your request for a FREE, no obligation, consultation by filling out the short form on this page.
Mesothelioma Legal Rights and Eligibility
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease, your potential legal claim can depend on several factors:
- Statute of limitations (time limits)
- Identify your exposure
- Determine who the responsible parties are
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
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. This right is called a “wrongful death” lawsuit. The laws of different states vary as to which family members have the legal right to recover for the wrongful death of a family member. Our network of professionals can help determine which state is best for your case, depending upon your individual situation.
Statute of Limitations or Time Limits to Bring a Claim
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 case. This statute of limitations varies from state to state, but if you wait too long, you may be barred from taking legal action. If you are interested in filing a case, it is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Because the statute of limitations for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cases varies from state to state, it is important to learn about your specific rights so that your case has the best chances for success. Enlisting the help of a skilled attorney experienced in mesothelioma litigation will help guide you and your family on the right path to the medical and financial support you deserve. In addition to complying with the statute of limitations in your state, the commonly rapid progression of mesothelioma makes expediting your lawsuit of primary concern.
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. You may have a valuable legal claim.