If you believe your mesothelioma diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one resulted from a liable party’s use of asbestos or negligence to remove it from a workplace or residence, you might qualify for compensation. An Iowa mesothelioma lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you identify the liable party and pursue compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (800) 794-0444 for a free case review with a team member.
Iowa, Mesothelioma, and Liability
Doctors established the connection between asbestos exposure and developing mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining surrounding the lungs, abdomen, heart, and testicles) many years ago, leading the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enact a ban on new asbestos products in 1989. Oncologists diagnose about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases each year, with the American Cancer Society finding that about 80 percent of patients experienced asbestos exposure at some point.
An Iowa mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine which party may have responsibility for the damages you have suffered after your exposure to asbestos, resulting in your mesothelioma diagnosis. Determining this liability can be tricky, as it can depend on property owner negligence, a breach of warranty, or strict liability. Also, because it can take up to 60 years for mesothelioma to develop after your exposure, it might not be readily apparent who exposed you or when it happened.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you determine who to hold liable for your injuries. We have handled hundreds of mesothelioma cases and developed a database of companies and products linked to asbestos exposure that we can reference when reviewing your work history, product usage, and places where you lived.
Once you have determined who to hold responsible, an attorney must argue that:
- The property owner or business had a duty to protect the public from the dangers of asbestos exposure.
- They violated that legal duty by failing to warn of asbestos in a product or remove asbestos from a building.
- That breach resulted in your exposure to asbestos, which in turn caused your mesothelioma.
- You have suffered damages because of your cancer.
The parties most often considered liable for a mesothelioma diagnosis because of exposure to asbestos include:
- Asbestos manufacturers
- Mining companies
- Manufacturers of products containing asbestos
- Employers using asbestos in their facilities
- Property owners with asbestos on their property
How an Iowa Mesothelioma Can Protect You and Your Loved Ones
Navigating a mesothelioma diagnosis on top of pursuing a legal case can drain you physically, mentally, and financially. The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm recognizes that you need to take care of yourself and your family while also seeking an award for your injuries. Our Iowa mesothelioma lawyers can walk you through the legal process of fighting for compensation without overburdening you.
During this process, an attorney might need to gather data related to your asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis to create the complaint. This information can include:
- Building plans indicating asbestos-contaminated products (wiring, insulation, pipes, etc.).
- An inventory of asbestos products made by a manufacturer.
- Your medical records.
- Your pay stubs if you miss time from work.
Your avenues for compensation may include:
- Medical expenses incurred before taking legal action.
- Future medical expenses for procedures to return you to your previous quality of life.
- Lost income (wages, bonuses, benefits) from missed work time.
- Pain and suffering.
- Wrongful death.
After gathering evidence and calculating the full value of your damages, you must submit your complaint within the 15-year period established by Iowa Code § 614.1.2A for personal injury cases related to a “harmful material” such as asbestos. The statute recognizes the latency of diseases such as mesothelioma and starts the clock on legal action when you receive your diagnosis.
Accept a Settlement or Go to Trial
If you let a liable party know that you believe you have suffered due to their use of asbestos, they might reach out to you with a settlement. If they do so, you might settle your dispute outside of court. However, you might want to present an Iowa mesothelioma lawyer with the settlement offer to review it and determine if it addresses all your needs. They can calculate your potential compensation, then compare the two figures to decide whether it makes to accept the offer.
If you believe that the settlement offer does not cover all your needs, an Iowa mesothelioma lawyer can provide a counteroffer and negotiate with opposing counsel on an acceptable agreement. Should those negotiations falter, they can continue your fight for justice and compensation before a judge and jury.
An Iowa Mesothelioma Lawyer Who Puts You First
You might feel reluctant to spare some of your valuable time and resources on a legal fight against those parties still using asbestos and exposing you to its dangers. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm recognizes this hesitancy and wants to make it as simple as possible to pursue the justice you deserve.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm operates on contingency. You pay nothing upfront and will not receive a bill for our services unless you receive compensation as either a settlement or court award. Even then, we only take a percentage of your award, meaning you can put aside resources for other purposes while we pursue compensation for your injuries.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Work with an Iowa Mesothelioma Lawyer to Calculate Your Potential Compensation
Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can change your life and that of your family. Your exposure to asbestos likely is the sole contributor to the development of your cancer, and you deserve justice from those parties that compromised your health or the health of a loved one.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can talk through your case and help you determine what parties might have liability for the damages you have endured because of your diagnosis. An Iowa mesothelioma lawyer can represent you in your fight for compensation for your losses.
If you are ready to start discussing potential legal action against a business or property owner who might have compromised your health, you can reach out to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444. Call today for a free case review with a team member.
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