If you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, your cancer could have resulted from asbestos exposure. If you have worked with asbestos or used products that contain asbestos, you might qualify for compensation from the business that negligently exposed you to this carcinogenic mineral.
If you suffer from mesothelioma and believe a company failed to protect you from possible asbestos exposure, a South Carolina mesothelioma lawyer could help you seek financial awards to cover the costs of your medical care. Call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case.
How You Developed Mesothelioma
According to the American Cancer Society, about 80 percent of people with mesothelioma also had exposure to asbestos. One can inhale asbestos fibers, leading to the development of mesothelioma in the pleura (the tissue surrounding the lungs). More than three out of every four mesotheliomas form here.
One can also swallow the fibers, which can cause mesothelioma to develop in the abdomen, known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Very rarely, mesothelioma can begin in the lining of the heart or testicles.
The Mayo Clinic states that most people with mesothelioma came into contact with asbestos through their jobs.
Who might face more risk of having exposure to asbestos?
- People who work with automobiles, like mechanics and auto parts manufacturers.
- People who work with building materials, like plumbers, electricians, and pipefitters.
- People who work in shipyards, like shipbuilders and military personnel.
- People who demolish and remodel old buildings and houses.
- People who work with insulation.
- People who work in or near asbestos mines.
Signs and Symptoms
Mesothelioma can develop over many years and often goes undiagnosed until symptoms become so persistent or severe that the patient seeks medical attention. Signs of the disease also differ depending on where cancer develops in the body.
According to the Mayo Clinic, pleural mesothelioma symptoms include breathing problems, coughing, and chest pain. You might also experience unexplained weight loss or feel lumps beneath the skin on your chest. Peritoneal mesothelioma involves pain and swelling in the abdomen, weight loss, and nausea.
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Diagnosis and Treatment
The best way to test for mesothelioma is to perform a biopsy. Your doctor may then conduct CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, or other diagnostic tests to determine how far your cancer has progressed. The severity of your disease will determine your course of treatment. The earlier you can diagnose mesothelioma, the better your odds of surviving five years after diagnosis.
There is no cure for mesothelioma. However, early diagnosis gives doctors an improved chance of managing and lessening the symptoms. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and drug treatments.
Talc Exposure
If you suffer from mesothelioma, you should know about a possible link between cancer and exposure to products containing talc. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the possibility exists of some natural cross-contamination between asbestos mines and talc mines.
Talc products containing even trace amounts of asbestos might cause cancer. The Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine found evidence of mesothelioma development in patients whose only potential exposure to asbestos was through cosmetic talcum powder.
Taking Legal Action
If you have developed mesothelioma, or your family member died from this aggressive cancer, a South Carolina mesothelioma lawyer could help you recover compensation for your asbestos-related injuries.
If your job involved contact with asbestos, your employer should have informed you of the dangers of exposure to this carcinogen. They also should have provided you with personal protective equipment, like a face mask or gloves. If your workplace failed to warn or protect you, or otherwise acted negligently, you could hold them liable for your damages. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to discuss your case with a team member.
Types of Compensation
You could receive awards for your cancer treatment. Mesothelioma can progress slowly, and you might require years of expensive care to ease its effects. The bills for these treatments can add up, placing a burden on you and your family. A personal injury lawyer can help you seek reimbursement for your medical bills and money to pay for future care.
As mesothelioma progresses, the pain from tumors putting pressure on your spinal cord and nerves could make it impossible to work. Fluid in the chest might make breathing so difficult that you can no longer perform your job. An attorney can help you seek past and future lost wages, pursue pain and suffering damages, and guide you through the process of applying for permanent disability benefits, if applicable.
If you lost your family member to mesothelioma, you could seek compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. You may recover the costs of your loved one’s burial expenses and final medical care. You could also seek awards for the loss of your loved one’s companionship, protection, and support.
Statute of Limitations
South Carolina’s statute of limitations for wrongful death and personal injury is three years, as established by S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530(5). Usually, in personal injury cases, the clock on the statute of limitations starts when you suffer your injury. With mesothelioma, you may not develop cancer until decades after your exposure to asbestos. In this case, S.C. Ann. § 15-3-535 starts the clock when you receive your diagnosis. It is essential to file your claim before time runs out, or the court might bar you from proceeding.
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Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Help
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, our goal is to offer legal representation tailored to your individual needs. We partner with attorneys from across the nation who have familiarity with mesothelioma lawsuits.
We have fought and won seven-figure settlements in some mesothelioma cases. We might be able to help you and your family find peace of mind by recovering compensation that helps pay for your expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
You can reach out to a South Carolina mesothelioma lawyer at no risk to you. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm asks for no payment upfront. We will not collect a fee unless we win your case. Call (800) 794-0444 today for a free initial consultation with a team member.
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