Do You Need a Mesothelioma Lawyer?

The news of a diagnosis can bring on a range of emotions from fear to anxiety. Yet, when the illness is chronic, such as with mesothelioma, you may be devastated. Thoughts of how your life is about to permanently be altered may begin racing through your mind.

If it’s discovered that your diagnosis of mesothelioma could have been avoided, you may begin to feel anger at the responsible party and rightly feel that they should compensate for their negligence. However, in cases of mesothelioma, it can be extremely difficult to pursue compensation on your own.

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the law firm of Phillips Law Group can help you to get the maximum amount of compensation for your suffering and losses – from all responsible parties. Our lawyers have years of experience in handling all types of personal injury cases, and we have helped more than 155,000 clients in over 25 years. Contact us at (800) 706-3000 so you won’t suffer alone.

What is Mesothelioma?

Most people have probably never heard of the thin layer of tissue that covers most of the organs in our bodies called mesothelium. One aggressive type of cancer that forms in this thin tissue is called mesothelioma. It is rather rare, with only about 3,000 people being diagnosed in the US every year.

This is a very serious condition. Sadly, although there are treatments including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, there is no cure for most people diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may vary but generally include the following:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Lumps under the skin on the chest
• Difficulties swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tiredness
• Abdominal swelling and pain

Asbestos and mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is by far the most common cause of a patient receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Asbestos is a mineral that is composed of tiny fibers that are heat resistant, non-corrosive, and smaller than a human hair, yet stronger than steel. The substance has thus been used in thousands of products, such as paints, tiles, bricks, drywall, automobile parts, appliances, and books, for many decades throughout the US.

The harm that asbestos in its natural state can cause to humans is low. However, when asbestos is used in the production of products, it creates dust that can be inhaled or ingested. This dust is extremely toxic since it never leaves the body and gets trapped in the mesothelium, eventually resulting in cancer.

To develop mesothelioma, a person would likely have to inhale asbestos fibers for a while. This is why the vast majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma have either worked in an industry where they have been exposed to asbestos or lived in a location where asbestos was present.

Asbestos Regulations in Place

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were both established by the federal government in 1970. The EPA and OSHA are the two main governmental agencies that regulate the use of asbestos in the workplace and in the environment in general.

The EPA

Laws and regulations were established by the EPA to limit the amount of asbestos that can be released into the environment in an effort to protect the health of the general public. In that regard, in 1989, the EPA issued a partial ban on the manufacturing and distribution of products that contain asbestos.

OSHA

OSHA’s primary focus is on employee safety in the workplace, having created regulations and standards that limit worker exposure to asbestos in the workplace. OSHA has stipulated that employers have a responsibility to ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter of air for over a sampling period of thirty minutes.

In order to comply with this regulation, an employer has the responsibility to post warning signs in asbestos work areas and periodically take samples of the air where employees are engaged in work. The methods used to take the samples and the results of lab analysis must be documented.

How Hiring a Lawyer Can Help Your Claim

Due to the complexities of the rules and regulations stipulated by the EPA and OSHA regarding asbestos handling, filing a claim for compensation is never a simple process. Not only is extensive knowledge of these laws and regulations needed, but it must also be proven that the diagnosis of mesothelioma is a direct result of negligence on the part of the victim’s employer or another entity.

For these reasons, the assistance of an asbestos attorney, who would be familiar with asbestos laws, would be vital for a victim to receive the maximum amount of compensation for damages. The laws regarding asbestos are constantly changing, so extensive legal knowledge regarding asbestos laws is especially needed.

Thus, it’s crucial to have the assistance of an asbestos attorney who would know what to look for to help with your case. In order to build and strengthen your claim, your asbestos lawyer would need to gather specific evidence, such as your medical records and history, products you may have worked with throughout the years, working conditions, and much more.

In some cases, a wrongful death lawsuit may need to be filed by family members if they have lost a loved one to this dreadful disease. Your Phillips Law Group lawyer will fight for you, even if your case must be argued in court.

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled to Receive

When you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the results are definitely life-changing. As such, your attorney will pursue compensation for both incurred and future losses.

Some examples include:

• Present and future lost income
• Present and future medical expenses
• Household renovation for disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and emotional suffering
• Wrongful death

Our Lawyers Stand Ready to Assist You

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lost a loved one from this disease, do not attempt to pursue compensation on your own. You need the team of experienced asbestos lawyers at Phillips Law Group in your corner. You may find yourself fighting against corporations or other entities that have teams of knowledgeable lawyers ready to defend the interests of the company.

Phillips Law Group is one of Arizona’s largest consumer law firms, and we have the resources nationwide to gather facts and determine whether your diagnosis of mesothelioma is the result of asbestos exposure from products or the workplace. Our attorneys can fight to make sure that you get the full compensation you are entitled to receive.

Fighting any type of cancer, or watching a loved one fight, can be draining emotionally, physically, and mentally. You don’t need the added stress of trying to pursue compensation that would assist with medical costs, so leave the legal matters to us.

Let the experienced lawyers of Phillips Law Group fight for you so that you can focus on your health and family. Call us today at (800) 706-3000 for a free consultation.