This month we will cover two sides of mesothelioma: the legal elements and the medical elements. Each side of this disease can be heavily daunting. One side of the coin gives you a diagnosis that in a large majority of the cases is fatal within 2 years. There are many obstacles to cover to prolong life and protect and preserve the quality of life that remains. The other side of the coin represents the law and the illegal exposure to asbestos that was the cause of your deadly illness. Most will want to legally pursue options to hold the parties of this exposure responsible and go after monetary compensation.
Your first inclination about asbestos-related illness will come from a medical diagnosis. Most people are devastated and do not know exactly where to begin. Finding a medical professional or specialist near you will be your first priority. Your next priority will be understanding the legal implications of the negligence of others afflicting you with a deadly disease and you will want to take legal recourse.
Both sides of this coin represent a battle – each with specific steps and understandings you must comprehend and master in order to win the war. This months’ blogs will help to empower you with information to cover both fronts.
An asbestos cancer attorney literally knows the trials and tribulations of their mesothelioma clients. As asbestos is the only proven substance responsible for causing mesothelioma cancer, its use is highly scrutinized in courts of law around the world. Particularly because most who sanctioned the use of this carcinogenic substance did so knowing it put workers and customers in harms’ way. Only, those responsible had no idea that their actions would come to fruition between 20 – 40 years later, leaving their victims only 1-2 years to live.
After initial mesothelioma diagnosis, an asbestos cancer attorney will share with you the laws of your state regarding statute of limitations. Most states give you a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after you have been diagnosed. Your attorney will make sure to file the appropriate papers on your behalf, ensuring you meet these deadlines.
According to recent statistics, approximately 80 percent of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure in the workplace. Because this cancer is so aggressive and because it lies latent for decades before signs of the disease become apparent, many patients are in the final stages of cancer when diagnoses occur. The average patient usually only has a year to live once the cancer is found. During this difficult time of illness, it is essential to contact an asbestos cancer attorney to learn exactly what you may be entitled to.
Treatments, therapies and trips to the doctors will become very expensive considering the level of specialists you will have to consult. That is why it is important to find an expert mesothelioma law firmthat will be able to find the persons or company accountable for your pain and suffering. Lawsuits have occurred in rapid succession in the United States and with over 600,000 filers, mesothelioma has become the biggest tort litigation in the history of the country.