Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they attack the wall lining the inside of the abdomen, heart or lungs, which leads to mesothelioma.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can take decades to surface, so those affected often do not receive the proper diagnosis until the cancer is far advanced.
Lawsuits filed by workers who were diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases have helped prove that many companies knowingly put their employees at risk by allowing them to work in environments with a high risk of asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma Caused by Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was most commonly used from the 1940s to the 1970s. During this time, more than 27 million Americans were exposed to the cancer-causing asbestos products without even knowing of the link between asbestos, mesothelioma and other diseases, including asbestosis and lung cancer. Recent asbestos lawsuits have helped hold companies accountable for failing to warn employees of this link.
Those between the ages of 50 and 70 are most commonly diagnosed with mesothelioma. Some mesothelioma treatments do exist, but there is no cure for this type of cancer. When mesothelioma is diagnosed early, these treatment options are more successful.
Doctors often struggle to make the correct diagnosis, as the symptoms of mesothelioma are shared with a number of other illnesses. Patients who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis usually survive between one and five years.
Attorneys in the United States file roughly 3,000 cases every year, making asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits the most successful mass tort in the nation’s history.
A Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other diseases caused by asbestos diagnosis is tragic, and you may not feel like immediately taking on the problems of filing a lawsuit. Legal details are probably the last thing on your mind after the initial shock has occurred.
But you must take advantage of your legal rights, and this is where a competent and experienced mesothelioma lawyer comes in. These attorneys can provide you with the asbestos and mesothelioma legal advice you need.
A good lawyer understands the complexities in such a lawsuit—like asbestos product identification, asbestos-related medical issues and the time constraints in filing a claim.
Free Legal Consultation for Mesothelioma and Asbestos Victims
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos disease, you have every right to get answers about why you were not warned about asbestos exposure. Workers who are unsure if they have developed an asbestos-related disease may be eligible for asbestos testing at no out of pocket expense if they qualify.
Many of the companies that exposed their workers to asbestos for so many years were aware of the dangers and effects but did little—or nothing—to protect them from the deadly dust and fibers of asbestos.
Even if you don’t have all the details on where and when you may have been exposed to asbestos in your working career, giving any information you can to a lawyer can help.
To receive a free consultation about your asbestos case, contact the attorneys at Hissey Mulderig & Friend to learn more about your legal rights. You can reach us by calling toll-free at 1-866-863-3848, or by filling out a free case evaluation form.