According to the American Cancer Society, about 3,000 people receive a mesothelioma diagnosis each year in the United States. The American Cancer Society also explains that the primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, which is a natural but harmful mineral used in many products and industries.
If you have mesothelioma or your family member died from mesothelioma, you might be able to receive compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The manufacturer of the asbestos product you came into contact with or the employer who asked you to work with asbestos materials could be liable for your suffering.
A Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer may be able to help with your case. Learn more about mesothelioma, asbestos, and how you could be eligible to receive compensation by calling (800) 794-0444 today to schedule a free consultation with the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. We work on contingency, so you will never owe us anything unless we can recover an award for your losses.
Mesothelioma in Louisiana
Asbestos fibers are strong and durable, which is why they were used widely in construction and other industries for years. However, when the fibers break or become exposed, and a person inhales them, asbestos often causes mesothelioma and other dangerous medical conditions.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and malignant lung cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average time someone lives after a mesothelioma diagnosis is only one year. While the disease works quickly once symptoms begin, it can take 20 to 71 years after initial exposure to asbestos for symptoms to begin.
The use of asbestos is now strictly regulated because of its health risks. However, employers and manufacturers have a responsibility to keep their employees and products safe, so you could be able to recover compensation for you or your family member’s mesothelioma regardless of when or how the exposure to asbestos happened.
You and your family should not have to suffer because of exposure to this dangerous substance. Many victims of mesothelioma have been able to recover compensation for their losses through a personal injury lawsuit.
How a Personal Injury Lawsuit Could Help
You have the right to pursue compensation if you suffer harm because of someone else’s negligence. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure and the exposure was not your fault, you may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Additionally, according to CC 2315.2, when a person dies in Louisiana due to the fault of another, the immediate family of the deceased person may bring a lawsuit to recover damages suffered as a result of the death.
If you have mesothelioma or your close family member died from this cancer, it is likely that you can recover damages. Possible damages you could receive because of a mesothelioma diagnosis include:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
Winning damages can help you and your family to recover from a mesothelioma diagnosis by offsetting medical and funeral expenses and accounting for other losses caused by the disease, such as losing a job, pension, or other income or losing the companionship of a family member.
Louisiana follows a comparative fault rule, CC 2323, for personal injury cases. This means that each party is assigned a portion of the fault for an injury, and the compensation you receive is lessened by how much you are at fault. For example, if you are 10% at fault for your exposure to asbestos, and the damages are worth one million dollars, you would receive $900,000.
To receive a damage award for mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure, you must show that the exposure was due to someone else’s fault or negligence. A Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help your case. Our team can investigate the cause of your mesothelioma, identify exposure risks, identify liable parties, file a claim on your behalf, and work for you to receive a fair settlement for your losses.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
How the Statute of Limitations Can Affect Your Case
A statute of limitations is a state law that places a time limit on how long you can pursue legal action after a wrongful event occurs. According to CC 3492, the statute of limitations in Louisiana for all lawsuits regarding injury and wrongful death is one year.
This means that you have one year from the date of your mesothelioma diagnosis or the death of your loved one from mesothelioma to pursue damages. After this time, you typically cannot recover damages. However, there are sometimes rare exceptions to statutes of limitations, and you can still consult a lawyer to be sure you know what your legal options are.
The Team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Is Here for You
Mesothelioma is a very aggressive cancer that is most often fatal. Entrust your asbestos-related mesothelioma lawsuit to a lawyer so you and your family can focus on recovering from this diagnosis, knowing that your case is in good hands.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is here to help you through this time. To help you with your case, we can:
- Obtain and review your medical records
- Investigate your exposure to asbestos and gather evidence
- Consult medical experts
- Identify the liable parties for your exposure, such as employers, retailers, manufacturers, or other parties
- Identify what damages you may be eligible to recover
- Communicate with insurance companies as necessary
- File a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf
- Manage all necessary communication and documentation
- Firmly negotiate for you to receive a just settlement for your losses
Contact the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to learn more about how a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer may be able to help you with your case. Call (800) 794-0444 today to schedule a consultation at no cost and no obligation. Since we operate on contingency, you will never owe us anything unless we can recover damages for you.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form