When Asbestos Exposure Results in Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is difficult to hear. This aggressive and deadly cancer can leave you devastated and worried about your loved ones. The financial cost of your cancer treatments is not cheap. Bills can quickly accumulate and can leave you little choice but to consider legal action. Securing the services of a personal injury attorney is something you may want to ponder as you learn about your treatment options. If your mesothelioma relates to your work history, potential compensation is possible.
Exposure to Asbestos
Asbestos is a fiber found in nature. Rocks and soil are two examples of where asbestos develop into fibers that are strong and fire-resistant. These qualities are what make the material an attractive component of building materials and fireproof items, such as flame-resistant curtains and clothing.
Exposure to asbestos happens in the form of dust. When materials containing asbestos move, the dust particles are easily inhaled. One example of how this may occur is in the remodeling of a house. The removal of vinyl flooring may release dust that a worker inhales. If the worker is continuously exposed to asbestos dust, they may develop mesothelioma over time.
Examples of the types of products that may contain asbestos include:
- Fireproof fabrics
- Ceiling tiles
- Vinyl flooring
- Roof shingles
- Automotive brakes
Multiple professions risk exposure to asbestos including:
- Shipyard workers
- Construction workers
- Asbestos miners
- Industrial workers
- Textile mill workers
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Electricians
No matter what your profession, if you were recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have been exposed to asbestos and not know it. Examining your work history can lead you to the possible source of your exposure.
A civil case takes time. Acting quickly to secure legal representation and to discuss all options for possible compensation can be important for you and your family.
A Mesothelioma Diagnosis
A painful cough that will not go away and chest pain are two indications of possible pleural mesothelioma. A doctor can use imaging tests, blood work, fluid testing, or a biopsy to determine the cause of your health concerns.
Once you receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma, the news is difficult to process. While there is no cure, your doctor may want to operate, or suggest that you begin treatment. Cancer treatment costs continue to climb. Many patients forego other necessities to keep up with their medical bills.
This can result in their health declining even further. When your cancer diagnosis relates to your exposure to asbestos, you should not have to go without any necessities—especially medical care. A personal injury attorney could help you pursue accountability from those responsible for your exposure.
The High Cost of Cancer Treatment
There is little government research about the true costs of care for patients with mesothelioma. According to one report, the total hospital costs for patients with mesothelioma were more than $42 million in one recent year.
The report estimated that the average in-hospital treatment of patients averaged $24,000. The report also acknowledges that more work needs to be done in gathering the costs associated with treating mesothelioma patients.
Not all patients require hospitalization. Many patients may take treatments on an outpatient basis. However you experience your cancer treatments, it is more involved than just the treatment itself.
Additional costs for cancer care can include:
- Transportation
- Lab tests
- Doctor visits
- Imaging tests
- Specialists referrals
The National Cancer Institute states that the average chemotherapy drug costs $10,000 per month. Cancer is one of the most costly diseases to treat, according to the report.
Data from the AARP demonstrates the effect of costly cancer treatments for patients. AARP reports that cancer patients are two and a half times more likely to declare bankruptcy than healthy people. Those declaring bankruptcy are 80 percent more likely to die than other cancer patients.
This news is alarming. The stress of medical bills can truly affect your emotional state. If your mesothelioma is the result of asbestos exposure, you may have options for pursuing possible compensation to help with your growing medical costs.
Who Should Pay for Your Mesothelioma Treatment?
When you receive the devastating news that you have mesothelioma, one of your first thoughts may relate to your finances. A lack of income due to your health problems and upcoming treatments can cause financial hardship for your family.
With or without medical insurance, payment for your treatment should not come from your bank account. If your mesothelioma is the result of asbestos exposure at your place of employment, you may be entitled to compensation.
What your employer knew and when they knew it are key factors for determining negligence. Hiding information about a potential health danger could potentially make them liable for your medical costs.
In pursuing a civil claim or lawsuit for these cases, a personal injury lawyer typically fights for the following types of compensation, including:
- Medical costs associated with chemotherapy, radiation, or surgeries
- Ongoing medical costs for any therapies or expensive prescription medications required
- Loss of income as a result of the inability to work
- Loss of potential future earnings if this affects the ability to return to the same job
- Pain and suffering
A personal injury lawyer can also represent victims who lost a loved one due to mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer, and unnecessary exposure to asbestos dust is not fair. If the personal injury lawyer you hire finds that your employer intentionally kept this information from you, they could help you pursue justice and compensation.
Why You Should Consider Seeking Legal Representation?
A personal injury attorney could help you in a variety of ways. They could serve as your eyes and ears as they investigate your case. Once they prepare your case for a possible trial, they would first seek a settlement from an insurance company.
If an insurance company representing the defendant in your case reaches out to you, refer them to your attorney. Settlement negotiations are best left to your attorney as they understand how insurance companies work. Talking with the insurance company on your own can be dangerous. They may try to manipulate or confuse you, to protect their best interests.
Accepting a settlement from an insurance company without legal representation may close your case for good. This may be exactly what the insurance company wants to happen. Their initial offer to you might be the lowest amount possible.
If your condition results in another illness or issue connected to your asbestos exposure, you may not file a civil action. This is upsetting to learn and maddening to know that an insurance company pressured you into accepting less than you deserve.
Should negotiations not result in the outcome your lawyer hoped for, then they may recommend proceeding to trial. Many civil cases settle out of court, however, the seriousness of your cancer diagnosis requires the best outcome possible.
Gather and Save Important Documents for Your Case
One of the ways you can help your lawyer is by providing them with the information they need to prove negligence. Your employer owed you a duty of care, and if they failed to provide that care, they could be held liable for your cancer.
Your work history, the contact information for coworkers, and possible photos of your work environment are all valuable types of evidence. Keep your medical reports and bills as well.
The exposure you suffered, and cancer that resulted, is not fair. If your employer knew about the risk but failed to warn employees, give careful consideration to contacting a lawyer as soon as possible.
Time Is of the Essence
You may feel pressure to complete your bucket list or to spend time with family. Securing legal representation can ease your mind.
A personal injury lawyer works hard to defend the rights of the injured and the ill. Asbestos exposure is a serious matter that can result in deadly cancer. There is no cure for mesothelioma. You deserve the chance to pursue compensation for treatments that can afford you more time with family.
Proving negligence is the lawyer’s responsibility. They can apply their skills to prepare a case on your behalf. Personal injury attorneys have dealt with victims and those who were wrongly injured. A personal injury attorney can help you through your legal journey with respect and compassion.
The statute of limitations is of concern. This state law limits how long you have to pursue civil action. Missing the deadline for filing your case is not something anyone wants to happen—other than possibly the defendant. Do not give them the satisfaction. Give careful thought to whether you want to proceed with a claim and lawsuit.
The High Costs of Cancer Treatment Are Why You Deserve Representation
When your battle with mesothelioma comes to an end, the medical bills for your care can continue. Fighting for a fair settlement can protect your family from bill collectors and debt. It could also, if successful, cover other household expenses.
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are expensive and often cause uncomfortable side effects. Your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medications to help you deal with some of the more common side effects.
The emotional toll such a stressful situation has on your body can be exhausting. You should not have to deal with constant worry as you purchase your medications and take your treatments.
Cancer care is very expensive, and the outlook for a mesothelioma diagnosis is grim. If this unfair diagnosis is the result of your exposure to asbestos, act now. A family meeting and/or quiet time alone can help you determine the best path for moving forward.
Personal Injury Lawyers Are Both Aggressive and Caring
Contacting a personal injury lawyer should not be intimidating. They are here to help clients, like you, take on large corporations, businesses, and manufacturers that lied, misled, or failed to inform employees of asbestos exposure. A personal injury attorney could help you pursue compensation from those responsible for your exposure.
The time to hold them accountable is now. The progression of your disease and the arrival of your medical costs will not wait.
Most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. You can also contact a personal injury attorney for a free case evaluation. This is an informational session to learn if you have a case and, if you do, what important next steps to take.
Personal injury lawyers want to help you in your pursuit of justice. They understand the frustration you feel when you learn your cancer was possibly preventable. Asbestos exposure and its associated dangers are dangerous. If your employer knew about the dangers, yet continued to allow employees to inhale the dangerous dust, then you must give careful thought to contacting a lawyer.
Cancer treatment is costly, however, you do not have to fight for compensation alone. A personal injury lawyer could protect your best interests so that you can focus on what matters most to you. If you received a diagnosis of mesothelioma due to your exposure to asbestos, you may want to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(833) 700-MESO [6376]
