Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can impact your life in multiple ways. Not only is mesothelioma aggressive and life-threatening, but it can also affect your finances for the foreseeable future.
If you recently developed mesothelioma, it might result from exposure to asbestos. If this is the case, you may be able to take legal action against the person or company responsible for your exposure. You could recover compensation to help with the expenses related to your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Many people with mesothelioma consider filing personal injury lawsuits because of the expensive cost of treatment. According to the journal Rare Tumors, the cost of hospital care for mesothelioma treatments can exceed $44,000. Even with excellent health insurance, you can still expect to pay a large portion of these costs. With the help of a Nebraska mesothelioma lawyer, you could protect your financial situation by collecting compensation. Contact the offices of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case with our team.
Understanding Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells found in the lining of your internal organs. Mesothelioma grows and spreads quickly, making it a particularly dangerous type of cancer. The American Society of Clinical Oncology reports that up to 80 percent of mesothelioma cases result from exposure to asbestos, a strong, fireproof material used in insulation, roof shingles, and firefighter suits.
The discovery of the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma led to its regulation by government agencies and a dramatic reduction in its use. Still, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 45,000 people died of mesothelioma from 1999 to 2015.
Determining Liability
Proving liability is the key to winning a civil case. Liability makes a party financially responsible for the damages that it causes. In a mesothelioma case, an employer or property owner may have responsibility for your treatment costs if they negligently exposed you to asbestos. For example, if you bought a new house with high amounts of asbestos products, that could make your home builder liable for your exposure.
The latency period between your asbestos exposure and when you develop mesothelioma can make it difficult to determine liability. To help you determine liability in your case, you could discuss your case with a Nebraska mesothelioma lawyer. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today for a free case review with a team member. We can compare your work and residential history with our database of known asbestos-linked products and companies to discover who might have responsibility for your exposure.
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Medical Expenses
Medical expenses can quickly become a major problem after receiving your mesothelioma diagnosis. It is one of the leading reasons why mesothelioma patients file civil lawsuits to recover compensation. Since it is a type of cancer, you will need specialized care from an oncologist specializing in mesothelioma. Specialist visits are expensive, and your insurance policy might not cover their visits.
Depending on the type of treatment you pursue, you may need ongoing care. For example, chemotherapy takes multiple treatments with a lengthy recovery period. You will need to see a care provider multiple times throughout the process to monitor your health and possible side effects.
Other Avenues of Compensation
Aside from medical expenses, you might have to deal with other expenses. Regardless of which treatment method you choose (surgery, chemo, or radiation), you will likely miss significant time at work. Missing work will affect your ability to earn a living and pay your monthly bills. In some cases, treatments take such a toll on patients that they can no longer work. A mesothelioma lawsuit can include claims for lost income to cover wages, benefits, and bonuses you did not receive for missing work.
You can claim any expense related to your treatment and recovery process in the lawsuit. A Nebraska mesothelioma lawyer must prove that each expense is a direct result of your diagnosis. They can provide evidence such as medical reports and billing statements. They also can pursue noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering.
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Settlement vs. Trial
Once you have filed your lawsuit, you will have to wait to go to trial. This delay can last a long time, which often makes victims nervous. Long wait times are common across the United States because of a backlog of civil cases, but this could also work in your favor.
Many at-fault companies facing a substantial judgment against them will offer settlement agreements to end cases quickly. Most cases settle out of court. For defendants, a settlement gives them the chance to manage how much they will pay in compensation and could also keep details of your exposure out of the public record. These details could make it difficult for companies to do business. For you, a settlement means getting access to the compensation you need more quickly.
Before you accept any settlement agreement, you might want to have a lawyer review it to ensure that it meets your needs. Initial settlement offers provide at-fault parties an opportunity to minimize the amount of compensation that they pay out. A Nebraska mesothelioma lawyer can submit a counteroffer and negotiate as needed to make sure any settlement provides the compensation that you need.
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Your Legal Options for Recourse
If you have substantial expenses related to treating mesothelioma, you can file a civil suit against any party with liability for your diagnosis by negligently exposing you to asbestos. For example, a manufacturer that used asbestos in making home insulation could have liability if you worked at the factory and installed the insulation in your residence.
Nebraska Revised Statute § 25-207 establishes a four-year deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, while Section 30-810 sets a two-year limitation on wrongful death suits. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out and fight to protect your finances from long-term damage.
Contact Us to Schedule a No-Risk Consultation
Mesothelioma is a dangerous form of cancer that often wipes out a family’s savings. With the help of a Nebraska mesothelioma lawyer, you can recover compensation to help with the financial burden of treatment and recovery. Contact the offices of Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for a free consultation about your case with a team member.
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