According to recent statistics, between the years of 1980 and 2000, thousands of men and women have succumbed to mesothelioma cancer. Many are so devastated by the diagnosis they are unaware of what an attorney for mesothelioma can do for them in terms of compensation. When searching for a mesothelioma law firm that can help you obtain what you are legally entitled to, here are some questions you will want to ask them and answers they might provide you with.
Q: Tell me what your law firm believes Mesothelioma is about?
A: One of the deadliest forms of cancer is mesothelioma. The National Cancer Institute describes three types of mesothelioma as a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells attach to the lining of organs in the body’s cavity, including the chest/lungs (the pleura), the abdominal cavity lining (the peritoneum) and the lining surrounding the heart (the pericardium).
Q: How did I get Mesothelioma?
A: An attorney for mesothelioma will explain to you that people don’t get mesothelioma unless they have had asbestos exposure. In most cases, this exposure happened at a work place. Many employees were subjected to prolonged exposure over an extended period of time without their knowledge. People serving in the Navy, working in shipyards or in construction before 1980 have the highest chance of developing mesothelioma but cases have been documented after minimal exposure as well. There is a small percentage of people with mesothelioma that had secondary exposure, that is, fibers adhered to clothing of a family member, were brought home and inhaled or swallowed by another family member.
Q: What role does asbestos play in mesothelioma?
A: Because of its heat- and fire-resistant characteristics, asbestos was highly used in many military and construction requirements. The fibers can be found in insulation for ceilings, pipes and hundreds of consumer products. Its widespread use is known in the shipbuilding and automobile parts industries. Unfortunately, even though it was scientifically linked to lung cancer over 100 years prior to its high use, many employers and manufacturers still used it because it was cheap and reliable.
Q: Who is at risk for asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma?
A: Asbestos-related illnesses can occur in anyone who has had asbestos exposure. Obviously, that places certain workers in specific industries at heightened risk. Employees working with the manufacturing of asbestos-containing products have the worst percentages for contracting mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Also, navy personnel and shipyard workers that served during the Korean War and WWII are at high risk. Unfortunately, the list goes on. Because many homes and buildings prior to 1980 were constructed using asbestos, it can still be found, even now, in many existing structures that include schools, homes and office buildings.
Q: How can an attorney for mesothelioma help me?
A: An attorney for mesothelioma can help victims claim the compensation they deserve from employers or manufacturers who exposed them to asbestos. Many trust funds have already been set up to compensate people being diagnosed with mesothelioma 30-40 years after employment with certain companies. A mesothelioma law firm can help victims claim what is rightfully theirs.