Help for Those Whose Lives Have Been Affected by Mesothelioma
Dealing with mesothelioma is a struggle that echoes through every aspect of your life. The physical pain, emotional agony, and expense of treating the illness can leave you depressed and overwhelmed. When you’re battling such an overwhelming illness, the thought of a lengthy legal fight might seem exhausting. But you have the right to compensation for your suffering, and the money from a mesothelioma claim can make a significant difference in your life. That’s where we step in.
At Vinson Law, we’re more than just personal injury attorneys – we are your champions in the fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve. Our firm has the experience, resources, and compassion to help you recover the compensation you need after being harmed by asbestos exposure. Dealing with mesothelioma is about more than just getting medical treatment; it’s about getting justice. Call us today at (888) 752-7582 or complete our contact form for a complimentary case evaluation.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs, heart, and abdomen. It’s known for its long latency period, which means symptoms may not appear until decades after exposure to asbestos, which is the leading cause of the disease. Mesothelioma’s complexity, latency, and aggressive nature make it a particularly challenging disease to diagnose and treat. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these, and can be financially draining.
This underscores the critical importance of seeking legal recourse to help mitigate these burdens, a pursuit Vinson Law is committed to aiding.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Almost all cases of mesothelioma result from exposure to asbestos, a silicate mineral made up of tiny, fibrous crystals. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly eight out of ten people with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at some point. Asbestos is naturally occurring and often found near deposits of talc, a soft mineral widely used in products such as baby powder, cosmetics, and ceramics. Due to their proximity in the earth, asbestos can contaminate talc during the mining process, posing a significant risk of exposure to anyone using products containing contaminated talc.
The use of asbestos was widespread in the 20th Century, especially in construction and manufacturing. Some common applications of asbestos included:
- Insulation: Due to its excellent thermal resistance, many companies used asbestos for insulation in buildings, homes, and ships.
- Fireproofing: Asbestos has exceptional resistance to heat and fire, so it was widely used in fireproof clothing, theater curtains, and fire-resistant coatings.
- Automotive Industry: The heat-resistant properties of asbestos made it an ideal material for use in car brake pads, clutch facings, and gaskets.
- Building Materials: Many companies incorporated asbestos into materials like cement, roofing shingles, floor tiles, and pipe insulation.
- Consumer Products: Asbestos was also used in smaller, everyday items like hair dryers, irons, and even some children’s toys.
When products containing asbestos are disturbed or damaged, they can release microscopic fibers into the air. When people inhale or ingest these fibers, they can become lodged in the body’s tissues, leading to inflammation and scarring. Over time, this damage can result in the development of mesothelioma. Despite restrictions and regulations, asbestos remains present in many older buildings and products, posing a continuing risk of exposure.
Types and Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, while generally rare, presents in various forms depending on the area of the body where it originates. Here are the primary types of mesothelioma, along with their common symptoms:
- Pleural Mesothelioma: The most prevalent form of mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. Symptoms often include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and unexplained weight loss. In some cases, individuals may also experience fever, fatigue, and night sweats.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma: This type originates in the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include abdominal pain or swelling, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, and changes in bowel movements.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma: Pericardial mesothelioma forms in the lining around the heart, known as the pericardium. It’s a rare form of mesothelioma, and common symptoms include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and fatigue.
- Testicular Mesothelioma: This is the rarest form of mesothelioma and occurs in the lining around the testicles. It is often detected as a lump or swelling in the testes, along with testicular pain.
Who Is Most at Risk of Getting Mesothelioma?
Because mesothelioma is primarily linked to asbestos exposure, those who’ve had frequent contact with this mineral are at the highest risk of developing the disease. However, because asbestos was once extensively used in a variety of industries and applications, several groups of individuals have a higher risk of getting mesothelioma:
- Occupational Exposure: Workers in certain industries have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma due to the extensive use of asbestos in their fields. This includes construction workers, shipyard workers, miners, factory workers, insulation manufacturers, and railroad and automotive workers.
- Veterans: Military veterans, particularly those who served in the Navy, were often exposed to asbestos in ships, shipyards, and naval bases. The military used asbestos extensively in certain vehicles and buildings for its fireproofing and insulating properties.
- Family Members: Secondary exposure can occur when workers or military personnel bring home asbestos fibers on their clothing, hair, or tools. This means that family members of those who worked in high-risk occupations are also at risk of contracting mesothelioma.
- Residents of Asbestos-Contaminated Areas: People who live near natural asbestos deposits or in older homes that used asbestos-based construction materials also have a high risk of developing mesothelioma.
- Talc Users: As asbestos is often found near talc deposits, regular users of talc-based products like baby powder and cosmetics may have unknowingly been exposed to asbestos.
It’s important to remember that mesothelioma can take decades to develop after the initial asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one fall into any of these high-risk groups and are facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, our team is here to guide and support you through your legal journey to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Potential Compensation from a Mesothelioma Claim
When you’re facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, the financial implications can be as overwhelming as the medical challenges. Pursuing a mesothelioma claim can help alleviate this burden. While the amount of money you can recover depends on the specifics of your case, here are some things for which you could recover compensation: medical bills, lost wages and earning capacity, travel expenses for medical treatment, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and funeral expenses.
Deadline to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Like all legal matters, mesothelioma claims are subject to a statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum amount of time you have to initiate legal proceedings from the date of your diagnosis or, in wrongful death cases, the date a family member died from mesothelioma. The specific timeframe varies from state to state, ranging from one to four years. Some states have different deadlines depending on whether the claim is a personal injury claim (filed by the person diagnosed with mesothelioma) or a wrongful death claim (filed by surviving family members after the death of a loved one from mesothelioma).
It’s important to note that the clock starts ticking from the “date of discovery,” which is when you knew or should have known about the disease. With mesothelioma’s long latency period, you might be diagnosed years or even decades after the initial asbestos exposure. Therefore, the critical date is not when the exposure happened but when you received your diagnosis. Given these complexities, it’s crucial to consult with a skilled and knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible after a mesothelioma diagnosis. An experienced lawyer, like those at Vinson Law, can help determine the applicable statute of limitations and ensure that you preserve your right to seek the compensation you deserve.
How Our Mesothelioma Lawyers Can Help You
In the face of a mesothelioma diagnosis, the path forward can seem overwhelming. But with the support and skill of an experienced attorney from Vinson Law, you have a dedicated ally. We understand the complexities of mesothelioma claims, the nuances of state laws, and the strategies for successfully securing the compensation you deserve.
Our team is ready to handle the complexity of legalities so that you can focus on your health and recovery. Call us today at (888) 752-7582 or reach out online for a complimentary case review.