In most cases, it is unclear what causes cancer to develop. However, this often is not the case with mesothelioma. Scientists link mesothelioma with exposure to asbestos, which, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO), causes up to 80 percent of all mesotheliomas.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), asbestos was a component in a wide range of construction materials, including insulation and car parts. Since the discovery of the connection between mesothelioma and asbestos, the Environmental Protection Agency banned new asbestos products in 1989. Many building owners have removed insulation and pipes containing asbestos from their properties. However, it is still possible to become exposed to asbestos, and many people who worked in buildings that contained asbestos products still have a chance of developing mesothelioma.
If you or a loved one have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you could qualify to receive compensation related to your diagnosis. To learn what your legal options are, you can contact the office of a California mesothelioma lawyer. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 614-2067 to discuss your case with a team member.
Impact of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma changed how the medical community and regulators look at the use of carcinogenic materials. Researchers have directly linked mesothelioma to occupational exposure to asbestos, with most documented cases related to workers in fields with a high risk of asbestos exposure, such as miners, shipbuilders, and home builders, and their family members.
Although asbestos is mostly out of use, the Mayo Clinic reports that the latency for mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure can run up to 60 years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of 2,660 people died each year from 1999-2015 from this aggressive form of cancer.
Contractors, factory owners, and building owners could have liability for the asbestos exposure that led to your mesothelioma. The mesothelioma lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm have created a database of products and companies linked to asbestos exposure. They can research who might have exposed you using this resource. Call us today to learn more about how we can fight for the justice and compensation you deserve after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Common Treatment Options
Oncologists use similar treatment methods for mesothelioma as with other types of cancer. If caught early, surgery can remove all the cancer cells before it has a chance to metastasize. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are other common options once the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Every treatment option is expensive, which is why many mesothelioma patients file civil lawsuits. The compensation you could collect can help cover the costs of treatment, relieving that burden off your family’s shoulders.
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Expenses
Medical expenses are the single biggest problem that patients face. Without undergoing treatment, victims with mesothelioma will likely not survive. However, the crushing debt they might incur will have a significant impact on their lives.
Doctors will order specific tests to understand the disease’s progression and provide the information they need to treat your cancer. On top of that, you will likely miss significant time at work, making managing your everyday expenses that much more challenging. Fortunately, you can seek compensation for many of your costs, which could help you avoid the long-term financial problems that mesothelioma can cause.
Seeking Compensation
In your mesothelioma lawsuit, you can seek to collect monetary compensation for any expenses related to the diagnosis and any costs associated with your recovery. While your expenses could fall into many categories, a personal injury lawsuit typically includes medical expense claims because victims usually incur hefty medical bills.
Medical expense compensation can include:
- Doctor’s visits
- Diagnostic tests
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Hospitalizations
- Follow-up care
- In-home care
A California mesothelioma doctor can make sure to include as many of the applicable expenses as possible to mitigate the damage to your finances that your diagnosis will have.
You can also claim compensation for lost income (wages, bonuses, and benefits) from missing work and other expenses as long as you can prove that they are related to your diagnosis.
Aside from your documented expenses, you could also claim pain and suffering for the physical and emotional trauma you experience because of your diagnosis. Determining the value of your pain and suffering compensation can be difficult because it is not based on specific numbers, such as bills or invoices. An attorney can calculate what to request in your lawsuit using one of several formulas.
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Determining Liability
Liability makes a person or entity financially responsible for the damages that they cause. In your mesothelioma case, you would seek to hold the company or property owner that exposed you to asbestos responsible for your expenses. Liability might apply to the place where you worked, such as a factory or mine, or where you lived if a contractor installed products made with asbestos or an owner did not replace such products from their property.
One of the potentially tricky aspects of determining liability is that asbestos is a naturally occurring product. A study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reported that the risk of environmental exposure to asbestos in California is relatively low, but it still exists. The state has cleaned up many areas where asbestos formed naturally, reducing the odds even further.
A California mesothelioma lawyer will determine liability before filing a lawsuit. They will investigate your work history and where you lived, then check that against known products and companies previously linked to asbestos exposure to find the responsible party.
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Call to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you could file a lawsuit against the company responsible for exposing you to asbestos. You might want to consult a California mesothelioma lawyer about your legal options. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 614-2067 to schedule a free consultation today with a member of our team.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form