The leading lethal cancer is lung cancer, according to the American Lung Association. Lung cancer can create several harmful, deadly complications, including blocked airways and damaged blood vessels.
Your health can suffer from lung cancer in many ways as there are just as many causes. Cigarette smoking causes the majority of lung cancers, but other carcinogens found in our homes and workplaces can also lead to lung cancer.
A Joliet lung cancer lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you start a lawsuit against someone or an entity you believe is responsible for your lung cancer. If a health care provider failed to identify your condition, they might be responsible for compensation from medical malpractice. Contact us at (800) 217-6099 to find out more.
Lung Cancer Lawsuit Process
You have a limited time to pursue a lung cancer lawsuit. The statute of limitations—the deadline you have—will depend on the basis of your claim. Illinois laws set the following time limitations, according to 735 ILCS §5/13-202 and 740 ILCS §180/2(d):
- Two years for personal injury
- Two years for the wrongful death of a loved one
- Four years for medical malpractice
- Two years following the discovery of medical malpractice
To sue for compensation, you will need to know to whom to send the paperwork. For instance, are you blaming your employer for putting you in conditions that lead to your lung diagnosis? Likewise, you may have suffered from a delayed diagnosis by your doctor.
You will also need to gather evidence to strengthen your case. Businesses and insurance companies will try to dismiss or decrease your compensation. They may blame you or say there is not enough proof to confirm your claim.
Environmental Lung Cancer Lawsuits
Your employer might be financially liable for your medical bills and other expenses if they failed to tell you about carcinogens in the workplace.
Before researchers discovered asbestos is cancerous, manufacturers used it everywhere and on everything. Homes in the mid-century contained drywall, insulation, floor tiles, and more, all made with asbestos.
Many older workers who worked with carcinogens directly during the height of the chemical’s popularity developed lung and other cancers. These professions mostly included:
- Asbestos miners and plant workers
- Shipyard workers
- Construction and insulation workers
However, environmental hazards in the workplace did not end after the researchers’ findings. Construction, insulation, and demolition workers can face airborne asbestos tearing down these same structures.
Firefighters also have more cases of lung cancer due to their jobs. As the building burns, chemicals float in the air as the fire destroys. These chemicals can go through outdated protective wear or stay on the surface if not properly cleaned.
For a free legal consultation with a Lung Cancer Lawyer serving Joliet, call (800) 794-0444
Responsibility in Lung Cancer Lawsuits
Your employer must maintain a reasonably safe environment.
Your employer is responsible for notifying its employees of harmful toxins. If you or a family member developed lung cancer from cancer-causing chemicals at your workplace, your employer might be responsible for an additional award for pain and suffering.
Medical Malpractice Cases
The healthcare industry is riddled with understaffing, long hours, and tiresome work. However, medical professionals may face malpractice lawsuits if they do not deliver standardized care to their patients and cause physical or financial harm.
Early diagnosis of lung cancer means earlier treatment. However, if your physician or medical provider was negligent, you may have suffered harm from misdiagnosis and not getting the treatment you needed. Your health care provider may be liable for failing to deliver reasonable care if you complained of any of the following lung cancer symptoms:
- A persistent cough or one that produces blood
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
- Saliva and mucus color changes
- Pain in chest, back, and shoulder with no known cause
- Unusual fatigue even after sleep
- Swelling around the neck and face
- Changes in weight and appetite
- Frequent stretches with bronchitis or pneumonia
In some cases, health care workers may dismiss patients’ complaints causing delays in necessary care. Other ways professionals may miss lung cancer include:
- Refusing to order laboratory or diagnostic tests
- Incorrectly reading CT scans, X-rays, and other tests
- Misidentifying lung cancer as something else
- Not referring to a cancer specialist
If a physician or medical worker was negligent, and you or your family member suffered injury or harm, you may seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and mental anguish. A Joliet lung cancer lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you get started by filing the paperwork, investigating your case, gathering evidence, and fighting on your behalf.
Joliet Lung Cancer Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Responsibility for Lung Cancer Medical Malpractice
While the physician, nurse, or other medical personnel may have caused harm to you, their insurance or managing company may also be responsible for losses. For instance, if a misdiagnosis was due to a faulty machine, the facility may also share the burden of paying financial awards.
In almost all cases, you will not be speaking with the employee or the facility directly. Instead, you will notify their insurance company of your intent to sue their policyholder. You will need to tell them the reimbursement sum, and you may need to provide evidence.
For instance, if you are suing for the cost of your medical expenses, you can use a copy of each of your medical bills and proof of payment.
A Joliet lung cancer lawyer and their legal team can help you gather the proof needed to strengthen your claim. Our law firm has the resources and ability to investigate your case, and we can fight on your behalf. Call the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, and speak to one of our team members at (800) 217-6099.
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