Get Compensated For Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma lawyers are lawyers that specialize in this illness that is a direct result of asbestos exposure. Due to the nature of this particular niche of law, victims need an attorney that is not only well-educated in the law but that also possesses the medical knowledge of the disease as well as the resources to investigate your claim properly to ensure your receive the judgment you deserve.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. Currently, doctors know of only one way malignant mesothelioma can be contracted, and that is through asbestos exposure. The disease attacks vital organs such as your lungs, heart, and abdomen. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition are shortness of breath, general fatigue, and chest pains. On average, once diagnosed, the average life expectancy is 12 to 21 months.
The first diagnosed case of mesothelioma was made in 1797. However, it was not until 1943 that the connection was made between asbestos and both mesothelioma and lung cancer. H.W. Welder realized there was indeed a connection between asbestos workers and the contraction of both lung cancer and mesothelioma. Because he was in Nazi Germany, however, his work was largely ignored by the rest of the world. Throughout the 1960s, numerous studies were conducted that came to the same conclusion, including a study by Dr. Irving J. Selikoff here in the United States. Even with this evidence, though, the material reached its height of use in the following decade.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is made up of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are both fire- and heat-resistant. When the material was first discovered, it was touted as a bit of a miracle material and was used widely in many different applications, but most notably in construction. In many cases, the material was used as a way to insulate structures from fire damage. However, it was not limited to just the construction industry and is also found in different types of industrial plants, oil refineries, shipbuilding operations, and even auto manufacturing.
The use of asbestos became widely prominent in the 1970s and years later we found out just how dangerous the material is when used in large quantities. The problem with the material is that when it is damaged, the fibers in asbestos are easily inhaled and begin to damage vital organs, often resulting in lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Different Types of Asbestos Exposure
According to Mesothelioma.com, there are five different types of asbestos exposure:
- Occupational exposure – pretty much self-explanatory. Between 1940 and 1979, roughly 25 million employees were exposed. Today, it is still estimated that 125 million workers worldwide are exposed to this material every year. This form of exposure accounts for about 70 percent of all mesothelioma deaths.
- Military exposure – for years, asbestos was used in the construction of military ships for its fire-resistant characteristics. It was also used in the construction of bases and other military transportation equipment, including planes. During the World War II era, it is estimated that 4.2 million veterans and civilians were exposed.
- Product exposure – throughout most of the 1900s, asbestos was used in product manufacturing. Things like crock pots and hair dryers used this material as well as the home construction industry for materials such as insulation and siding. Today, products such as insulation still use this material, but they are limited to one percent.
- Talc exposure – talc and asbestos are often mined in the same area, so there is a chance for talc to be contaminated with asbestos. Today, products that use talc are tested for asbestos, but that was not always the case. Most of the cases related to asbestos exposure through the use of talc are, however, ovarian cancer.
- Secondary exposure – just as someone smoking passes off second-hand smoke, those that worked in industries where asbestos was used could hurt others with secondary exposure. Those individuals bring this material home in their clothes and hair as well as on their bodies. It is estimated that 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases are related to secondary exposure.
Benefits of Hiring a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Due to the nature of these types of cases, it will take a skilled and specialized attorney to win the case. Because most individuals do not realize they have even been infected, mesothelioma cases will involve significant research and sometimes require complicated suits against numerous individuals and/or companies.
Some of the services that will be provided by a mesothelioma attorney are:
- Identify products and their manufacturers responsible in the case
- Filing of the lawsuit
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Wrongful death lawsuits
- Asbestos trust-fund claims
- Trial and/or settlement of the case
In most instances, these lawsuits are settled outside of court, but they do sometimes go to trial. Settlements generally range from between $1 and $1.4 million in compensation. A trial verdict can result in more money, with most cases exceeding $2.4 million, but there is also the chance that you could lose, as there are no guarantees once the case goes to trial. Additionally, there is the added stress and additional costs that would come from having a lengthy trial.
Do You Need a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Have you or someone in your family recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Once the diagnosis has been made, the clock starts ticking on your opportunity for justice, so you will need to discuss your case with an attorney as soon as possible. For your risk-free consultation with no obligation, please call us at 855.633.0888. If you would like to learn more about our legal services before giving us a call, please click here.