Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma patients face devastating symptoms and may have large medical bills. Since this disease is almost exclusively associated with asbestos exposure, mesothelioma victims may be eligible to file a claim against their former employer or another party responsible for their illness.

At Shrader & Associates, L.L.P., we know victims of asbestos exposure need qualified and experienced mesothelioma lawyers who are ready to stand up to big companies. Our team of attorneys has spent years researching claims and collecting decades of expense records to support mesothelioma compensation demands. If you or your loved ones are mesothelioma patients and you suspect you were exposed to asbestos, contact our office for a free consultation.

How Our Mesothelioma Law Firm Can Help Asbestos Exposure Victims with Mesothelioma Claims

When working with patients, our mesothelioma lawyers bring all their skills and experience to each case. You and your family members benefit from the lessons we have learned over nearly two decades of managing mesothelioma claims. We offer an award-winning approach with recognized and respected attorneys who have experience getting results for clients like you.

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium), your attorneys should determine if you were exposed to asbestos. Any company that uses asbestos in their workplace or equipment could be responsible for their neglect in protecting you from harm. Other individuals may have unknowingly purchased or used products in their home that contain asbestos and put their families at risk.

A mesothelioma diagnosis often comes years after your exposure, perhaps after the negligent company has gone out of business. Fortunately, as many companies declared bankruptcy, they were required to set up a trust fund to pay asbestos-related claims. Your asbestos lawyers can investigate this avenue to help you secure compensation that will cover your medical expenses, even if you have chosen more experimental treatment options.

Experience with Mesothelioma Lawsuits

At Shrader & Associates, we specialize in helping individuals who have been exposed to toxic substances in their workplaces or homes. We know that some companies avoid cleaning up hazardous materials properly or fail to take proper measures to prevent infectious disease spread, putting thousands of employees in danger of illness or injury. We do our best to hold these wrongdoers accountable by helping victims understand their legal options.

In mesothelioma cases, our skilled trial lawyers will help you file legal action against any liable party who contributed to your harm. We conduct detailed investigations in asbestos cases, finding all relevant information and evidence that will support your case. Our lawyers are committed to building a powerful legal claim for your damages while you focus on treatment and recovery.

Shrader & Associates provides the representation and legal help you need to stand up to big companies and pursue the compensation you deserve. Even if your former employer has closed or gone bankrupt, the legal system has created pathways for you to seek justice. You do not have to manage your medical and other bills on your own.

Over $1 Billion Recovered

Mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. but often takes 20-50 years to show symptoms after exposure. Victims have often changed jobs or retired by the time they are diagnosed with mesothelioma, and may not suspect a connection between their disease and their work history until they speak with a personal injury attorney who specializes in these claims.

Pursuing financial compensation so many years after you have been exposed can be challenging. Fortunately, the mesothelioma lawyers at Shrader & Associates have years of experience managing these cases and achieving satisfactory jury awards and settlements that provide financial relief for our clients.

Shrader & Associates has secured payouts for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and many other expenses. We have recovered over $1 billion for people just like you, enabling our clients to focus on their treatment without the burden of financial pressure. . By coming to us as soon as you are diagnosed, we can help you avoid missing the statute of limitations, which could limit your ability to seek compensation.

Well-Known Contamination Sites

Asbestos has been used for its insulating properties since the Stone Age, but large-scale application began in the early 19th century when many companies and manufacturers saw opportunities to incorporate this fibrous material into industrial and household products.

Numerous companies and worksites have exposed individuals to asbestos. The fibers are easily inhaled or ingested on worksites and can be carried home to family members on clothing. Large manufacturing or mining operations can even contaminate surrounding communities, exposing people who did not even work for the company.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared many Superfund cleanup sites, which include such well-known contamination sites as:

• Ambler Asbestos Piles, Pennsylvania
• Atlas Asbestos Mine, California
• BoRit Asbestos, Ambler, Pennsylvania
• Carter Carburetor, Missouri
• Coalinga Asbestos Mine, California
• El Dorado Hills, California
• Johns Manville Corporation, Illinois
• North Ridge Estates, Oregon
• Powhatan Mining Company (POWMINCO), Maryland
• South Bay Asbestos Area, California
• Sumas Mountain Asbestos Site, Washinton
• Torch Lake, Michigan

Other Sources of Asbestos Exposure

While asbestos mining has ended and manufacturing plants have reduced their use of asbestos, there are still job sites and products that continue to expose young people. For example, the U.S. Navy and other armed forces may work with asbestos-containing products. Shipyard jobs such as shipbuilding, welding, or demolition applications can expose active military members to asbestos.

Non-occupational sources of asbestos exposure can come from:

• Working with clutches and brakes on cars
• Teaching or participating in school laboratory experiments using asbestos-insulated equipment
• Working in offices or factories using asbestos insulation or ceiling tiles
• Conducting asbestos abatement or removal services

Scientists warned the public of the dangers of asbestos back in the 1970s, but many companies failed to act quickly to remove the substance. Companies’ negligence is thought to have put thousands to millions of people at risk for mesothelioma and lung cancer. These cancers were preventable, and a mesothelioma attorneys can hold these negligent parties accountable and bring justice to the victims.

What to Expect in a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

The first step in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is to determine if you have a valid claim. We can usually establish the validity of your claim during a free initial case review with an attorney. Once you know you could be eligible to pursue asbestos litigation, your lawyer will advise you whether the statute of limitations has closed. Laws vary in each state, but mesothelioma patients generally have between two and three years after the date they are diagnosed to file a claim.

Next, your legal team will investigate potentially liable parties and sources of compensation. Many bankrupt companies created trust funds to support victims in recovering their damages during asbestos lawsuits. However, if the negligent party is still operating, your lawyer will determine how to best hold them accountable.

You may be able to file an insurance claim before filing a lawsuit. If a settlement cannot be reached through the insurance claim, your lawyer may advise you to proceed to trial. Once your case is underway, your mesothelioma lawyers will try to negotiate an out-of-court settlement for your damages. Without a resolution, they will continue to litigate the case until the judge and jury decide on a verdict and whether to award damages.

Proving Negligence in Your Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Asbestos trust fund claims and mesothelioma lawsuits require you to demonstrate that your illness is a direct result of the liable party’s negligence. In either case, you will benefit from producing as much high-quality evidence as possible to convince the trust fund reviewers or a court of your claim. This material is used to establish the four elements of negligence:

1. The employer or other liable party owed a duty of care to provide a safe environment to those in their workplace or community.
2. The at-fault party breached their duty through their actions or failure to act.
3. As a claimant, you experienced illness or injury directly caused by the defendant’s failure in their duty.
4. You have damages related to your illness or injury that should be repaid.

The evidence your legal team uses may come from a wide range of sources, including your medical records and work history. They will also request and research information such as:

• Cleaning and maintenance logs
• Construction records
• Details of asbestos abatement programs
• Expert testimony
• Manufacturing process documentation
• Medical scans and test results
• Product design plans
• Witness statements

Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos mining companies and other defunct asbestos-related businesses were required to establish asbestos trust funds to continue paying claims to those who developed mesothelioma as a result of their company’s negligence. Since mesothelioma symptoms take years to appear, these funds are used to pay cancer patients who file claims against former employers long after the employee has left the job(s) where they were exposed. Filing trust fund claims is less difficult than going to trial but can be challenging without the guidance of a skilled attorney.

The first step in the claims process is to determine whether your former employer has a trust fund and how claims for that fund are filed. You will often need to provide proof of your work history and evidence showing your diagnosis of an eligible illness. Your lawyer will know how to best present your documentation and supporting materials.

Filing a claim against an asbestos trust fund is not the same as filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. The fund will have specific terms for reviewing claims and determining payment amounts.. Once your case is accepted, it will be examined for validity by the board of trustees. Millions of mesothelioma settlements are paid each year, averaging about $1 to $2 million per claim, although your amount may differ depending on your circumstances.

Common Damages You Can Claim in a Mesothelioma Case

Many mesothelioma patients do not receive a diagnosis until their disease is more advanced. In many cases, these patients have suffered other asbestos-related conditions in the years prior to their diagnosis, meaning they could have decades’ worth of expenses related to their asbestos exposure. Asbestos lawsuits and trust fund settlements recognize the extensive costs to victims of exposure, and payouts can be millions of dollars.

However, every case is unique. We cannot guarantee a specific sum for your claim, but we can help you identify every possible bill and expense related to your treatment and future care. Our asbestos attorneys will use their background to ensure you have an accurate calculation for your damage demands.

Damages can be economic, such as your medical bills, or they can be non-economic, such as pain and suffering. Our mesothelioma lawyers will collect evidence to demonstrate your damages, such as:

• Office visits
• Hospital bills, including surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Anxiety and depression
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages
• Rehabilitation and therapy expenses

In the event your family member dies from their disease, survivors can file a claim on behalf of their estate to recover medical care expenses and funeral costs. Your attorney will help you understand how to proceed with a wrongful death lawsuit against an asbestos trust fund or other negligent party.

Contact the Mesothelioma Attorneys at Shrader & Associates to Schedule a Free Consultation Today

When you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you need knowledge and compassionate legal guidance to make the most of your case. You can schedule a free case review with the asbestos attorneys at Shrader & Associates, L.L.P., to understand your options and next steps.

Our team is ready to manage your asbestos claim, no matter where in the United States you are located. We have worked with clients in Illinois, Florida, California, Texas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Ohio, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Washington, and Michigan. Contact our office online or by telephone to arrange a free case evaluation today.