Should I Sue for Mesothelioma?

Receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma for yourself or a loved one can send your life reeling. The lawyers at Phillips Law Group understand how intensely difficult this news can be for you and your family because we’ve seen the effects among our clients for many years.

Money cannot undo all the harm done to you or your loved one, of course. Nonetheless, a mesothelioma lawsuit can get you the financial compensation you need in order to focus on your health and family.

To determine whether or not you should sue for your mesothelioma diagnosis, keep reading. Or contact Phillips Law Group to schedule a free consultation – call (800) 706-3000.

What is Mesothelioma?

Every year, some 3,000 individuals in the US receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Though the diagnosis may be new, the reason for developing this illness could have occurred long before. In many cases, the cause of the mesothelioma occurred 25 to 50 years before the diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer. It is a tumor that forms on the thin membrane that lines the lungs, chest, and abdomen. The medical name for this thin membrane is mesothelium. Thus, the name of this cancer originates with this part of the human body.

The mesothelium is a very important substance in the human body. One basic purpose that it serves is providing a slippery surface over the organs in the chest and abdomen. This is crucial during movement and even basic human functions, such as breathing. In a way, it acts on the body as motor oil does to a car engine.

Additionally, mesothelium serves to aid in immune functions. It helps fight bacteria and promotes blood clotting (coagulation). It seems to also impede cancer cells when they try to adhere (stick) to the digestive tract.

Mesothelioma can interfere with these important functions and body parts. It is aggressive cancer. Medical treatment is available. However, a cure is often unattainable.

Types of Mesothelioma

There are four types of mesothelioma tumors. They are:

• Pleural
• Peritoneal
• Pericardial
• Testicular

The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural. This form is so prevalent that it accounts for about 75 percent of all cases of mesothelioma.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Symptoms caused by mesothelioma differ with each person. However, in most cases, there are symptoms that are more prevalent, such as:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Respiratory complications
• Pain in the chest or abdomen
• Fever or night sweats
• Fluid around the lungs
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Cough
• Difficulty swallowing
• Abdominal bloating

These are general symptoms. Other signs of the disease, not mentioned here, can also present themselves. An individual’s symptoms are unique since they can be influenced by the exact location of the tumor in the body.

How Are Mesothelioma and Asbestos Related?

Asbestos is frequently connected to mesothelioma. So much so that, at times, mesothelioma is referred to as asbestos lung cancer. Of the people who have had a long and consistent exposure to asbestos, between 2 percent to 10 percent are diagnosed later in life with pleural mesothelioma.

For some four decades, asbestos was included in the manufacturing of many key construction products. Consequently, construction workers who handled these products were repeatedly and directly exposed to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos fibers can become airborne quite easily in the process of construction. Saws, drills, hammers, and similar tools can loosen and detach the asbestos fibers into the air. Construction workers and other people could then inhale or swallow the airborne asbestos fibers. With each exposure, the quantity of asbestos increases within the human body.

These products could be encountered on a daily basis by everyday people working in and around locations where asbestos had been used in the construction. Yet, the asbestos exposure did not end there.

Additionally, the asbestos fibers could attach to clothes and be brought home where family members would be exposed to this dangerous product.

Fortunately, not all persons with contact with asbestos will become seriously ill. Nonetheless, this mineral fiber found in pipe insulation, fireproofing, plasters, types of cement, and much more was in widespread use for some forty years. The harmful symptoms often take decades to become apparent.

Does Asbestos Still Exist in the US in the 21st Century?

You may be thinking at this point that this dangerous product has been eliminated throughout the US in our 21st Century. Actually, it has not. Although asbestos is banned in some sixty countries globally, it can still be used legally in the US. However, employers must follow strict regulations connected with its use.

Currently, it is estimated that more than a million workers in the United States work in an environment with possible exposure to asbestos. Its use is found primarily in the fields of construction and general industry.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the following types of asbestos in the US:

• Chrysotile(also known as white asbestos): This is the most widely used asbestos. Chrysotile is commonly found in the construction of houses and businesses – specifically with ceilings, walls, roofs, and floors. Additionally, it can be found in vehicle parts such as brake lining and gaskets.
• Amosite (also called brown asbestos): Amosite is included in the making of cement sheets, pipe insulation, insulating boards, ceiling tiles, and products that aid in thermal insulation.
• Crocidolite (also identified as blue asbestos): This asbestos is not nearly as popular today as in the past. In the past, it was primarily used to provide insulation for steam engines. In our modern century, it can be found in some plastics and cement products.
• Anthophyllite: This is asbestos used in a very limited amount. It can usually be found in talc.
• Tremolite and actinolite: These last two types of asbestos are not used commercially but are pollutants.

How Pursuing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit Can Benefit You

After receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you might feel exhausted physically and emotionally. Further, the economic pressures connected to this illness can leave you depleted economically. The idea of pursuing a legal claim against an at-fault party can sometimes seem like too much to confront.

Phillips Law Group understands how overwhelming this situation can feel, and we want to help. Rest assured, our top priority is to reduce or even eliminate your stress, in part by getting you the financial compensation your situation requires.

Get compensation

By means of a claim, you significantly improve the likelihood of obtaining the compensation needed to cover your losses. By means of a lawsuit, you can obtain compensation for:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Medical equipment and care
• Noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering

Get support

A lawsuit can sound like just another hassle in an already stressful situation. However, it is noteworthy that many mesothelioma claims are settled out of court.

In any case, an attorney can do the critical work to establish your case, such as:

• Conducting an investigation of who is responsible for your mesothelioma
• Forming and presenting your case
• Negotiating on your behalf
• Dealing with difficult and obstinate parties
• Preparing and filing relevant legal documents

An attorney can handle all of these crucial steps and processes while you focus on your health.

How You Can Get Compensation for Mesothelioma?

If you received a diagnosis of mesothelioma because of exposure to asbestos, please speak with a mesothelioma lawyer at Phillips Law Group. This can give you peace of mind.

We know and sympathize with how challenging it can be to pursue a legal claim while in pain. We want you to focus on your health, and we can address your legal concerns to help you do so.

Keep in mind that if we take on your case, there are no upfront fees. Contact a personal injury lawyer at Phillips Law Group today for a free case evaluation at 1-800-706-3000.