Being diagnosed with mesothelioma
can have a significant impact on your life, but a late diagnosis can worsen the situation. Early intervention is the key to better outcomes, so a delayed mesothelioma diagnosis can affect your health in such a dramatic way.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that can affect any part of your body. According to the Mayo Clinic, exposure to asbestos appears to cause most mesotheliomas, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) registers thousands of deaths across the country from mesothelioma every year.
After receiving your mesothelioma diagnosis, you might want to consider that you could receive compensation for your damages. You can consult an Alaska mesothelioma lawyer about your legal options to see what action you can take. Call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 614-2067 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
Defining Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial cells found in the lining of your organs. It grows quickly and is extremely aggressive. Your best chance for recovery is to identify it as early as possible and begin treatment right away. However, most cases are incurable; the available treatments can slow the cancer’s growth or relieve its symptoms.
If your mesothelioma has not spread throughout the body, surgery could effectively remove localized cancer cells. Otherwise, treatment methods like chemotherapy and radiation therapy target cancerous cells across the body and eliminate them before they grow out of control.
According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. Since the discovery of the connection between mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestos exposure, most areas of the United States have ceased or drastically reduced the use of asbestos. Many localities have also undertaken extensive cleanup efforts to remove as much asbestos from buildings as possible.
Aside from mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer and asbestosis. Treatment for any of these asbestos-related diseases can drain bank accounts quickly. As a result, many people who have received a mesothelioma diagnosis decide to file civil lawsuits against the parties responsible for their asbestos exposure. If they win their case, they can collect monetary compensation that would help with the costs of treatment.
Determining Liability
When you decide to file a lawsuit, determining liability is one of the first things that you would do. Liability essentially means that a third party caused your injuries, making them financially responsible for the damages that they caused. You would file your lawsuit against the liable party. In your case, you would file the lawsuit against the person, company, or property owner where your asbestos exposure occurred.
Sometimes, at-fault parties carry liability experience, meaning that an Alaska mesothelioma lawyer would work on your case with the insurance company instead of the liable party directly. In cases like this, it is typical for the insurance company to offer a settlement agreement. This offer means that you can resolve the matter faster and collect compensation sooner, allowing you to pay for vital cancer treatment. However, you might want a personal injury lawyer to review any offer before accepting it. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to discuss your case with a team member.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Settlement vs. Trial
A settlement agreement is a contract that says you will officially close the case if the person or company that you sued pays you a specific amount of compensation. Settlement agreements are common in civil cases, especially since they can take a long time to go to trial. They also help both sides get what they want. You collect needed compensation; for the other party, they limit their financial exposure and stay out of court. Personal injury lawsuits can hurt businesses, and court cases become public knowledge when they go to trial.
The most significant benefit of receiving the initial settlement offer is that you have a base from which you can negotiate to make sure that your final agreement meets your current and future financial needs. A mesothelioma lawyer can calculate the exact amount of compensation you will require to cover your expenses. If you successfully conclude a settlement agreement, it gives you a faster way of ending your lawsuit while still recovering compensation.
Possibly Recoverable Compensation
To determine the amount of compensation that you can claim, you need to know into what categories your damages fall. In a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma related to asbestos exposure, you can claim compensation for any expenses related to your injuries or recovery, including:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages for missed work
- Diminished earning capacity
- Home care expenses
- Pain and suffering
A lawyer will ask for billing statements, pay stubs, and other documentation from different care providers to submit them as evidence that they relate to your mesothelioma-related injuries.
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Seeking Legal Action
Taking legal action might be in your best interest if you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis. The costs of treatment can strain your finances even if you have excellent health insurance. When you recover, you will have extensive medical bills that could take years to pay off.
However, you could take legal action and collect compensation from the person or business that exposed you to asbestos. While you consider your options, remember that AS § 09.10.070 sets a two-year deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Building a case and seeking compensation can take a lot of time, so you might now want to wait too long. You can talk with an Alaska mesothelioma lawyer to discuss your options.
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Contact a Lawyer to Discuss Your Case
Recovering from mesothelioma can prove expensive and challenging. Although you might feel stress about dealing with your recovery, you need to think about how you will handle the financial impact of your treatments and recovery. You can consider taking legal action with the help of an Alaska mesothelioma lawyer that could protect your finances by recovering compensation for your damages.
If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you could be entitled to compensation. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 614-2067 to schedule a free consultation about your case with a member of our team.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form