Exposure to asbestos, radon gas, and other toxic substances in the workplace can lead to severe health complications, including a lung cancer diagnosis. If your employer failed to protect or adequately warn you of the consequences of exposure to these substances, you may have a legal claim for compensation. You also may be able to hold negligent companies accountable for their actions with the help of a Skokie lung cancer lawyer.
The aftermath of a lung cancer diagnosis can be devastating for you and your family, and in some cases, fatal. You have the right to seek justice from the companies who are responsible for these catastrophic events. Employer and product manufacturers have a legal duty to keep employees and consumers safe. When they fail to do so and you suffer injuries, they may be financially responsible or legally liable for the costs of those injuries. Call (800) 217-6099 and learn more about how the attorneys and staff members at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help.
Asbestos Exposure and Lung Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health, asbestos is made up of naturally-occurring mineral fibers that have various commercial and industrial uses. Manufacturers use asbestos in many products because the fibers are strong, do not conduct electricity, and are resistant to heat and chemicals. As a result, many employers have continued exposure to asbestos in the workplace, even though asbestos is a human carcinogen.
Federal and state regulations combined with heightened public health awareness have led to a decrease in the amount of asbestos used in the United States. Nonetheless, the usage of asbestos is not illegal. Furthermore, asbestos still is present in many older buildings, both commercial and residential. As a result, human exposure to asbestos continues, which often results in the development of deadly diseases such as lung cancer.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports that prolonged and extensive asbestos exposure leads to drastically increased risks of developing lung cancer. Individuals exposed to asbestos also are more likely to develop asbestosis, or scarring of the lungs, and pleural disease, which is a non-cancerous lung disease. If you or a loved one has developed lung disease or cancer after exposure to asbestos, you may want the advice of a Skokie lung cancer lawyer.
Radon Gas Exposure and Lung Cancer
The American Cancer Society (ACS) designates radon gas exposure as the second leading cause of lung cancer in Americans, behind smoking. Radon gas leads to about 20,000 cancer deaths per year. Furthermore, radon gas exposure in smokers leads to much higher rates of lung cancer.
Radon is a naturally occurring chemical that is present in the air that we breathe. Heightened levels of radon gas appear in homes and buildings appear when radioactive substances break down in the ground and migrate to air and water sources. Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates the rates of radon in workplaces and underground mines, no government agency regulates radon rates in homes or residential buildings.
Workers exposed to radon in the workplace may be eligible for compensation. For some workers, compensation may be available through the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Program. By getting legal advice, you can become aware of all the available options for seeking compensation for your injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a Lung Cancer Lawyer serving Illinois, call (800) 217-6099
Liability in Lung Cancer Claims
Companies or employers who acted negligently in exposing their employees to asbestos, radon gas, and other toxic substances may be liable for resulting lung cancer diagnoses or other injuries. Negligence, or a careless disregard for the safety of others that is not in line with how a reasonable person would act in the same situation, is the basis for liability in most lung cancer claims.
Various forms of legal recourse exist when negligence has led to exposure causing lung cancer. Individuals may be able to file personal injury claims against the companies or persons who caused their exposure. They also may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits from their employers in some cases. Some companies have dedicated asbestos trust funds that allow affected individuals to file claims for compensation. If a lung cancer diagnosis is fatal, then surviving family members also may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties.
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Filing Lung Cancer Claims and the Statute of Limitations
All state laws designate limited amounts of time for filing different types of lawsuits. These deadlines or statutes of limitations are important to be aware of, as they can dramatically impact the outcome of any legal claims you have. If you fail to file your claims according to these deadlines, you risk losing all opportunity to get a settlement for your injuries from the responsible parties.
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, individuals generally have only two years to file their claims. For a lung cancer injury claim, the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the victims receive a lung cancer diagnosis. As a result, many years may pass between the exposure to asbestos or radon gas and the lung cancer diagnosis, without prejudicing the ability of the individuals to file their legal claims. If the lung cancer is fatal, however, surviving family members have only two years from the date of death in which to file their claims.
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Call Us Now for Legal Advice
When you receive a lung cancer diagnosis, you may wonder how you pay for the medical bills and lost income that you may experience while undergoing treatment. Consulting a lawyer about your situation is likely the last thing on your mind. Even if you do consider getting legal help, you may not think that you can afford to get the advice of a Skokie lung cancer lawyer.
We want to help you in your time of need. To reduce the potential financial burden on you, your legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will handle your lung cancer claim on contingency. This means that you will pay nothing upfront or out of pocket for us to handle your case. We get paid only when you receive a settlement for your losses. Call (800) 217-6099 and get started on the claims process today.
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