Because mesothelioma is a very serious and rare cancer, victims should consider an asbestos lawsuit settlement. The Center for Disease control estimates that approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed every year in the America. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma you were most likely exposed to asbestos. Many victims of this exposure are not aware of it often until 10 to 50 years after exposure. Many victims have no idea they were exposed and are shocked when they receive a final diagnosis from their physician. They probably have had symptoms for years but unfortunately, the symptoms of mesothelioma mimic those of the common cold and flu.
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral used generously decades ago in the manufacturing and production of a variety of products. At the time, it was highly used and sought after particularly because of its heat and fire resistant properties. Research for court cases have found over 3,000 different types of commercial products that have used asbestos such as:
- Floor tiles
- Cement and dry wall
- Roofing tiles
- Cloth
- Brake linings
- Insulation
There are a number of industries that took advantage of using asbestos decades ago. Some manufacturers still use this carcinogenic substance as it has not been completely banned in the United States. Shipyard workers, electricians, machinists, miners, metal lathers, construction workers and members of the Navy are all at an increased and prolonged risk of developing mesothelioma. Anyone exposed to asbestos under working conditions should consider contacting a quality law firm about an asbestos lawsuit settlement and what their chances are of receiving compensation due to them.
Unfortunately, industries have known about the dangerous effects of exposure to asbestos for decades; the date for the initial cases of asbestos related illnesses was documented as early as 1906. In the 1970’s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) executed guidelines for safe handling procedures and delivered a new regulation in 1989 banning most products containing asbestos. When pursuing an asbestos lawsuit settlement, your lawyers will argue that the fact asbestos was used even after the dangerous effects were clearly evident demonstrates a blatant disregard of the employee’s health and safety.
All of these facts lead to a legal defense for victims of asbestos-related illness and mesothelioma because of how they were exposed. It is the negligence of the manufacturer or company that is at fault in most asbestos lawsuit settlement cases. These cases, after filed, typically take up to 2 years to reach a settlement. The mesothelioma prognosis for most patients that take on radical treatments of two or more therapies is at most 2 years. This is why it is important for victims to file as close to diagnosis as possible so that they can live to see the case through. The other reason to file as close as possible after diagnosis is that most states have a statute of limitations for filing this sort of lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and it has been linked to asbestos exposure, it is highly recommended that you speak with an attorney about an asbestos lawsuit settlement filing.