According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 26,000 people died of mesothelioma in the top 50 counties with the highest age-adjusted death rate nationwide between 2000 and 2009. Among those top 50 counties was St. Clair County east of Birmingham.
Doctors believe most mesothelioma cases result from extended asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that the National Cancer Institute identified as the leading cause of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the tissue that surrounds organs throughout the body. While it may share symptoms with other diseases, there are specific tests to diagnose mesothelioma.
Starting treatment for mesothelioma early is essential to your long-term health outcomes. Any delay can lead to other injuries caused by the wrong treatment methods. It could also allow mesothelioma to progress into the later stages when more invasive treatments might not make a difference in a patient’s prognosis.
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, you may be able to take legal action to recover compensation from the company that exposed you to asbestos. You can discuss your case with an Alabama mesothelioma lawyer to see what your legal options are. Contact the office of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 614-2067 for a free consultation on your case with a team member.
Understanding Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can develop after exposure to asbestos. A thin layer of mesothelial tissue surrounds organs throughout the body, including the lungs and abdomen. Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers become trapped and irritate the tissue lining. It is a particularly aggressive type of cancer, which makes treatment difficult. According to the American Cancer Society, treatment is possible, but most patients with mesothelioma do not survive. The combined five-year survival rate for all stages of mesothelioma is just 10 percent.
Settlement vs. Trial
It can be nerve-racking to wait to go to trial. Once you file your case, you may have to wait a long time to get a court date. With such a constant backlog, courts can take a long time to get to your lawsuit. Fortunately, you have an option to waiting for your court date.
In many cases, the parties reach a settlement before going to trial. If you sue a company for your injuries, there is a good chance that the company has liability insurance. If this is the case, an Alabama mesothelioma lawyer will work with the insurance company to negotiate a settlement. If they cannot settle the case, the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm stands ready to argue before a judge and jury.
A settlement means that you would not have to wait until your case goes to trial to collect compensation. Settlement talks also allow you to negotiate the amount of compensation that you will receive. The initial settlement offer you receive from the insurance company will probably be lower than what you need to meet your current and future needs.
However, a personal injury lawyer with our team can renegotiate the settlement agreement to ensure that you get the compensation you require. Call us today to discuss your case with a team member.
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How a Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help
If you feel that filing a civil lawsuit is the right choice in your case, you might want to consult an Alabama mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.
Mesothelioma cases are difficult to build because of the amount of time that lapses between your asbestos exposure and your diagnosis. There is a lot of evidence and documentation to go through to determine the liable parties. You also need to understand Section 6, Article 35 of the Alabama Code, which deals specifically with asbestos-related claims, and how it relates to your situation.
Keep in mind that you only have a limited amount of time to file your case. The statute of limitations (legal time limit) to file a personal injury case in Alabama is two years. However, AL Code § 6-2-30 establishes that the two-year time limit starts when you would have reason to discover asbestos-related injuries, such as a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Seeking Compensation
Your biggest concern after a mesothelioma diagnosis likely will be your medical expenses. Medical bills can pile up very quickly, even if you have excellent health insurance. The costs of seeing physicians and cancer specialists, doing diagnostic tests, and seeking treatment, not to mention ongoing care that you may need throughout your recovery, can rapidly drain your bank account.
You can seek compensation for expenses related to your injuries and recovery in a personal injury lawsuit against the people or company that exposed you to asbestos. Besides medical expenses, you can also request compensation for lost income from missing extended time from work and reduced earning capacity when your symptoms begin to interfere with your ability to work. You also can claim for pain and suffering, which accounts for the physical and emotional anguish your diagnosis has caused.
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Your Legal Options for Recourse
If you received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you could file a lawsuit to claim compensation from the party that caused your asbestos exposure. Your injuries and the cost of subsequent treatments should not be your responsibility alone. You can file a lawsuit in civil court to claim compensation from the company. All the compensation that you collect could help you deal with the financial fallout of having to treat a disease you contracted through no fault of your own.
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Speak to a Lawyer About Your Case
The financial cost of treatment for mesothelioma can put a strain on your finances. Fortunately, you can get help dealing with the financial burdens from the party that caused your mesothelioma. That way, you can focus on getting the care that you need without having to worry about expensive treatment costs.
You can discuss your case with an Alabama mesothelioma lawyer to understand your legal options. Contact the office of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 614-2067 for a free consultation about your case with a team member.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form