Pintas & Mullins Law Firm

Lung Cancer Lawyers and Lawsuit

Trusted Personal Injury Attorneys in Chicago Since 1985

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, claiming more lives each year than breast, ovarian, colon, and prostate cancers combined. As many assume, smoking - both direct and secondhand - is the major cause of lung cancers. Lung cancer is actually increasing among people who have never smoked, however. Asbestos is a main driver of lung cancer, among smokers and nonsmokers alike.

Whether from asbestos, cigarette smoke or radon exposure, carcinogens that enter the lungs change the tissue almost immediately. Initially, the body is able to repair the damage naturally, but with repeated exposure, normal cells are chronically damaged, which eventually enables cancer cells to develop and spread.

Those exposed to radon in the workplace may be particularly confused about their lung cancer diagnosis, and have many questions about how and why they were exposed. Other chemicals known to cause cancer include: arsenic, asbestos, chromium, and nickel.

We Travel Throughout the U.S. to Represent our Clients

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with lung cancer, speak with a Chicago lung cancer attorney from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm about your legal options. Our skilled advocates represent clients in all 50 states and can travel across the nation to help guide you through the legal process.

Our team has handled 10,000+ cases, has 50+ years of combined experience, and has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injury victims throughout the U.S. We join forces with top litigation firms across the country, creating a multi-firm approach for the strongest possible case.

Get award-winning advocacy today when you call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 912-8555.

Lung Cancer Caused by Radon Exposure

Exposure to a radioactive gas known as radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Radon gas is produced by the natural breakdown of the uranium in soil, water, and rock, and can cause cancer even at relatively low levels.

Radon is often found in basements of residential and commercial buildings, or in garden-level apartments. Experts recognize soil gas infiltration as the most significant cause of residential radon exposure, but it can also diffuse into the air or contaminate groundwater. Most hardware stores carry radon testing kits to determine if the radon levels in your home or office are unsafe.

A brief history of understanding the danger of radon exposure:

  • In the 1950s, scientists found that underground workers mining for uranium were dying from lung cancer at extremely high rates.
  • By the 1980s, it was clear the risk was also present in homes.
  • In 2009, the World Health Organization officially stated that radon is a global health risk and released a handbook on indoor radon, which can be found at the bottom of this page. Experts assert that most cases of radon-induced lung cancers are caused by low-to-medium dose exposures.

Lung Cancer Caused by Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is the only known cause of a very specific type of cancer known as mesothelioma, which often affects the lungs. You can learn more about mesothelioma cancer and exposure to asbestos, a white fiber-like material throughout our website. Our Chicago mesothelioma attorneys at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm are more than prepared to handle mesothelioma and asbestos-related injury cases.

Types & Stages of Lung Cancer

There are three general types of lung cancer:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer: By far the most common type of lung cancer. This is an umbrella term for many different types of lung cancer that behave similarly.
  • Small cell lung cancer: Also called "oat cell cancer," this type accounts for about 10% to 15% of lung cancers and spreads rapidly. This type of lung cancer occurs almost exclusively in smokers.
  • Lung carcinoid tumor: Extremely rare, this category is sometimes referred to as "lung neuroendocrine tumors." These grow slowly and rarely spread.

Doctors inform lung cancer patients that the likelihood of long-term survival is determined by what stage the cancer is in on a scale from I to IV, the patient's overall health status, and the outcome of the first treatment.

The stages of lung cancer are:

  • Stage I lung cancer is confined to the lung, without any lymph node involvement. It can typically be treated and removed with surgery.
  • Stage II lung cancer is confined to the lungs and the lymph nodes within the lungs. Second-stage patients often undergo surgery combined with a chemotherapy regimen.
  • Stage III lung cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest, and patients may experience fluid in the lungs. Treatments for Stage III vary, but often involve some combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, ideally done together.
  • Stage IV lung cancer is the most serious type, involving cancer that has spread outside the chest and into other organs, such as the liver, brain or bones. Treatment for Stage IV cancers are not considered curative; the goal at this point is to shrink the tumor and try to control the disease to buy as much time as possible for the patient.

We Can Help. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for Compassionate Legal Advocacy

Our approach at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is to guide our clients through the process of filing a lung cancer lawsuit-to educate and inform them about the nature of the process. We introduce our clients to our network of dedicated legal professionals, who assist in a variety of ways. We are always available to travel to our client's home to address any questions

A lung cancer diagnosis is a pivotal and frightening time in one's life. We find that when clients see the capability of our legal staff firsthand, many of their fears are alleviated. We know how complicated and stressful a lung cancer diagnosis is, and that it is something clients have likely never been through before. Knowing this, we focus our services on the needs of each individual client.

For more information, or to arrange a free case evaluation, call a Chicago lung cancer attorney at (800) 912-8555. We travel nationwide to provide representation.

    Resources for Lung Cancer Patients

    Mayo Clinic Lung Cancer Basics - The Mayo Clinic is among the most esteemed hospitals in the country for lung cancer. Its website offers in-depth coverage of the disease, including videos from doctors, expert Q&A, lifestyle and home remedies, alternative medicine, and links for coping and support, among many other resources.

    EPA on the Health Risks of Radom - This government website examines the dangers of radon exposure and its connection to lung cancer.

    Cancer Care - This organization helps patients diagnosed with all types of cancer. The lung cancer page outlines options for patients who wish to pursue counseling, support groups, community programs, and financial assistance.

    Lung Cancer Alliance - The Lung Cancer Alliance aids patients and families through all facets of their journey-even providing information on screening centers throughout the United States for those at risk. They provide educational materials along with national and local events, support, resources, and mailings to help each family.

    World Health Organization (WHO) Handbook on Indoor Radon - This free handbook gives a comprehensive outline of radon gas and its health effects, along with how to prevent exposure, the costs of controlling it, risk communications, and information about national radon programs.