Mesothelioma claims

processing claims for over 50 years

As a consequence of the unprecedented use of asbestos which took place for the better part of the last century, the number of new mesothelioma cases has increased dramatically over recent decades. This aggressive form of cancer affects up to 3,000 Americans every year, the vast majority of whom were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. If you have a mesothelioma diagnosis, our highly experienced lawyers will help you recover the compensation you deserve. We charge a 40% contingency fee meaning that our clients will not have any out-of-pocket payments to make for our services.

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With a mesothelioma diagnosis, you have immediate eligibility and our staff and attorneys will prioritize your cases for expedited processing. You will not be required to travel and a family member will be able to handle the paperwork on your behalf.

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10% of workers with a history of occupational asbestos exposure will develop pleural mesothelioma

The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. While it is a rare form of cancer among the general population, mesothelioma has a high prevalence among people who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace, as well as in U.S. veterans who served between 1935 and 1975. At the moment, the number of new mesothelioma diagnoses is four times greater than it was 40 years ago.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that, in over 80% of cases, develops on the outer lining of the lungs, medically known as pleura. Accordingly, the formal name of this type is pleural mesothelioma. However, it can also affect the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).

The causal relationship between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is indisputable. Since 1959, when the first paper linking mesothelioma to asbestos exposure was published by three South African physicians, a series of well-grounded medical studies supporting the connection have been emerging throughout the world. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, each of the six asbestos types can cause mesothelioma, as the mineral is always carcinogenic. Moreover, the agency states that the length of asbestos fibers has no influence on mesothelioma risk. Nevertheless, the risk of developing mesothelioma was found to increase with the amount of asbestos fibers inhaled, as well as with the duration of exposure.

A key aspect concerning mesothelioma is the latency period. Similar to the other diseases stemming from asbestos exposure, it usually takes several decades for this cancer to set in. Mesothelioma occurs 20 to 50 years from the first asbestos exposure. The reason for this long latency period pertains to the way cancer develops once asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining of the lungs. Although they are carcinogenic and very irritating to internal tissue, asbestos fibers produce inflammation and scarring gradually. Over time, these symptoms will give way to malignant tumors, which indicate the onset of mesothelioma. After the onset per se, cancer tends to progress very rapidly, and while mesothelioma advances, it also becomes more and more resistant to treatment. Consequently, timely detection is critical and can improve prognosis to a great extent.

Unfortunately, only a small portion of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed when their cancer is in its early stages, hence the poor prognosis associated with this disease. The average life expectancy for mesothelioma is 12 months. Roughly 55% of patients survive longer than 6 months, whereas barely 35% of them live for more than one year. As people suffering from it rarely experience symptoms, mesothelioma is typically discovered in severe stages, when treatment is no longer effective. However, it is important to keep in mind that early diagnosis can prolong survival considerably, as well as lead to a more favorable prognosis. For this reason, if you have a history of occupational asbestos exposure, we strongly encourage you to undergo a screening test annually, which – in the regrettable event that you develop mesothelioma – will help your physician detect it on time.

While this cancer is not typically accompanied by clear symptoms, these are some of the most common signs people suffering from early-stage mesothelioma might notice:

  • a persisting dry cough
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • hoarseness
  • difficulty swallowing
  • fatigue
  • unexplained weight loss
  • excessive sweating, particularly at night
  • fever
  • wheezing

We also represent U.S. veterans exposed to asbestos while serving their country

Asbestos Exposure & Veterans

What mesothelioma diagnoses can I receive?

In addition to the classification of mesothelioma depending on where it occurs in the body, such as on the outer lining of the lungs or on the outer lining of the abdomen, this cancer is also divided into multiple categories based on the type of malignant cells that exist in the tumors. The following is the complete list of mesothelioma diagnoses you can receive:

If you have one of these diagnoses, we encourage you to call our legal team, as you are most likely entitled to compensation since the only cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Regardless of where your asbestos exposure occurred, you deserve financial compensation for your physical and emotional pain, as we are aware that mesothelioma is one of the most known aggressive cancers.

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Mesothelioma misdiagnosis and asbestos exposure work history

Not only is mesothelioma often asymptomatic, but when symptoms do occur, they can easily be mistaken for the signs of non-malignant respiratory conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, diffuse pleural thickening, or asbestosis.

It is not uncommon for mesothelioma to be misdiagnosed as lung cancer either since both affect the lungs and closely resemble each other in terms of symptoms.

The rate of mesothelioma misdiagnosis is very alarming. Up to 32% of people who were suffering from mesothelioma had been told they have a different disease before receiving the correct diagnosis.

Due to the fact that mesothelioma is a rare cancer, the average oncologist will not have seen a mesothelioma patient by the end of their medical practice, which is another reason why misdiagnosis is so frequent.

Misdiagnosis can have terrible consequences for your health. Since each disease requires a particular therapeutic approach, receiving treatment for the wrong illness when you actually have mesothelioma will impact your prognosis dramatically. Additionally, a false diagnosis will also prevent you from claiming the amount of financial compensation you are truly eligible for, as asbestos trust funds pay out money depending primarily on your diagnosis. Seeking a second and even a third opinion, regardless of the disease you were initially diagnosed with, is therefore crucial if you have a history of asbestos exposure. To make sure you will receive a correct, reliable diagnosis, we advise you to visit several mesothelioma experts, preferably with a lot of practice experience.

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Secondary asbestos exposure victims make up approximately 8% of mesothelioma patients

Considering the fact that asbestos was not deemed a carcinogen by U.S. federal agencies until 1971, it should not come as a surprise that there were virtually no effective workplace regulations concerning asbestos exposure during the heyday of asbestos use. Thereby, in addition to not being provided with adequate protective equipment such as respirators, employees who came in contact with airborne asbestos on the job would not be required to change their clothes at the end of the day either. As a result, they would often carry asbestos fibers home on their work clothes, as well as on their hair and skin, indirectly exposing their family to this toxic mineral.

There are multiple means by which secondary asbestos exposure would occur, such as wives laundering their husband's asbestos-laden clothes or children greeting their father upon returning home. If you have a former asbestos worker in your family with whom you shared living space for 3 years or longer, you are at risk for mesothelioma, among other serious diseases. Victims of secondary asbestos exposure are also eligible for compensation from asbestos trust funds. Thus, if you suspect your mesothelioma diagnosis is the result of secondary asbestos exposure, we strongly encourage you to contact our lawyers, who are specialized in asbestos cases. They will promptly assist you with filing a claim so that you can recover the compensation you deserve from asbestos trust funds.

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If you were/are a smoker and were diagnosed with cancer and have occupational military or industrial exposure to asbestos, we can look into eligibility for a claim for you.

Smokers

If you lost a family member to mesothelioma, our attorneys will help you recover compensation on their behalf

Oftentimes, asbestos victims who struggle with mesothelioma avoid seeking financial compensation out of fear of a never-ending, complex process. Furthermore, a cancer diagnosis inevitably brings about plenty of physical and emotional distress, which will prevent some mesothelioma sufferers from pursuing a claim for compensation. Understandably, there are numerous asbestos victims who had not recovered compensation for their illness before passing away. Asbestos trust funds allow the family members of former asbestos employees who died of mesothelioma to file a claim on their behalf. Recovering compensation from asbestos trust funds is a very simple process that requires no trial and which generally does not extend past two years.

If your loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma but had not filed a claim during their lifetime, our highly experienced lawyers will gladly assist you with your asbestos claim. However, you should be aware that there is a time limit when it comes to seeking financial compensation – you have 3 years to file a claim with asbestos trust funds from the moment your family member received their mesothelioma diagnosis. We advise you to contact our attorneys as soon as possible if this situation applies to you and they will strive to achieve the most favorable outcome for your case.

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Our legal process in a mesothelioma case

Every mesothelioma case is unique, requiring a dedicated and focused attorney.

See Our Process

Our mesothelioma lawyers will help family members recover compensation

If you are a former asbestos worker struggling with mesothelioma, we strongly encourage you to consult with an attorney, as the process of recovering financial compensation is nowhere near as time-consuming as you may think. Our attorneys have vast experience in handling cases that involve occupational asbestos exposure and will gladly assist you with filing a claim with the asbestos trust funds you qualify for.

Recovering compensation from asbestos trust funds involves no trial and is also a significantly faster process. If you are a veteran who was exposed to asbestos in the military and now struggles with mesothelioma, you will have to send our attorneys your military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records if you want to file a claim. The financial compensation you will eventually receive will help you cover your mesothelioma treatment cost, which is often extremely high.

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Frequently Asked Questions



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