If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may wonder what steps to take next. Cancer treatment is expensive, and health insurance will only cover so much. Most mesotheliomas result from exposure to asbestos, and if your employer or landlord negligently exposed you to it, you could receive compensation for your damages. Companies that made asbestos knew that the substance could cause health issues, yet they still exposed many people who then develop mesothelioma years later.
A Wisconsin mesothelioma lawyer can speak with you about your case, discuss the details of the diagnosis, and direct you toward the next steps to take. Call the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Learn About Mesothelioma and What Causes It
Malignant mesothelioma is cancer that forms in the lining of tissue around your internal organs, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are different types of mesothelioma based on where the cancer forms, the American Cancer Society reports that more than three-fourths of mesotheliomas form in the lining around the lungs (called pleural mesothelioma). Other types include:
- Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen)
- Pericardial mesothelioma (heart)
- Mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis (testicles)
Symptoms vary based on the type you develop, but your doctor can give you the information you need to know more about your mesothelioma. Some signs of pleural mesothelioma may include:
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Painful breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Fatigue
This serious form of cancer has some treatments available, but mesothelioma is extremely aggressive. Your oncologist can use surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments to control the disease and make you or your loved one more comfortable.
About 80 percent of mesothelioma patients experienced exposure to asbestos, a natural mineral used in many older homes and other structures as insulation, flooring, and roofing products. Manufacturers also used asbestos in vehicle brakes, shipbuilding parts, and firefighting suits.
When asbestos breaks up, it releases fibers that you can easily inhale unless you wear proper protective gear. These fibers then end up in the lungs or stomach area, where the irritation can lead to the formation of mesothelioma. It can take many years to form—as much as 60 years in some cases.
Certain occupations may have more risk for mesothelioma, or workers could expose their loved ones when fibers stuck to their hair and clothing become airborne at home. Those who might be more at risk include:
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Construction workers
- Home renovators
- Mechanics
- Shipyard workers
- Asbestos miners
What to Expect When You Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer
After receiving your diagnosis or learning a loved one has mesothelioma, you may not know where to turn next in Wisconsin. Researching on the internet could lead you to a lawyer well-versed in mesothelioma cases who could help you recover compensation.
Your first step will be a consultation, where you speak with a representative from the legal team and give them all the information you possibly can about your diagnosis. Your exposure to asbestos could have occurred at work, home, school, or somewhere else.
Once you complete that initial call, an attorney takes your information, evaluates your claim, and gets to work on your mesothelioma case. They will review your work history and where you previously lived to determine which companies might have negligently exposed you to asbestos. They can craft a complaint against the at-fault companies, then either file a personal injury lawsuit or apply for compensation from an asbestos trust fund set up by businesses under 11 USC § 524(g) to handle asbestos-related claims.
While companies such as Owens Corning, U.S. Gypsum, P&H Mining, and many others created asbestos trust funds set aside for victims, the settlement you receive from them might not cover the full medical costs of treatment. A mesothelioma lawyer will fight to get you the money you deserve, negotiating with trust administrators for a settlement that accounts for all your needs.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will work hard and endeavor to get you the compensation you deserve for asbestos exposure. Manufacturers who used asbestos knew of the dangers associated with this carcinogenic mineral but continued to use it anyway. Call us today to get started.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Types of Compensation You Could Recover
The seriousness of a mesothelioma diagnosis can cause immense stress on your family, especially because you now know that you will soon stare at a pile of medical debt that could be left behind for your loved ones. A Wisconsin mesothelioma lawyer can review the details of the case and determine the types of compensation you could recover, including:
- Lost income: If you still worked at the time of your diagnosis, then you could lose time away from your job for treatments, surgeries, and more. You might be able to recoup these lost wages, benefits, bonuses, and other income.
- Medical bills: A cancer diagnosis means that you might pay a lot out of pocket, even if you have health insurance. Insurance will only cover a portion of the costs, and that is after you have met a deductible. You could recover costs for medical treatment, physical therapy, palliative care, prescription medication, and more.
- Future loss of income: If your loved one dies from mesothelioma, you could receive an award based on an estimate of their future salary to help you with anticipated costs.
- Pain and suffering: Nothing will take away the pain that you and your loved ones feel at hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis, but you could claim pain and suffering damages that go above and beyond paying for your medical bills.
Contact a Mesothelioma Lawyer Today to Learn More
Throughout Wisconsin, the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm helps victims of mesothelioma and their loved ones recover compensation for treatment and more before the three-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits established by Wisconsin Statute § 893.54 runs out.
Our team stands ready to help you with your case and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. You can speak with one of our legal representatives today at (800) 794-0444, so we can connect you with a Wisconsin mesothelioma lawyer.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form