Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been commonly used in building materials, industrial products, and automotive products for decades. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can become trapped in the lining of the chest cavity or abdominal cavity and remain for decades.
Asbestos can cause respiratory problems and lead eventually to the development of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Unfortunately, the companies that made products containing asbestos continued to manufacture and sell the cancer-causing products for many years after becoming aware of the hazards posed by asbestos.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another serious medical condition caused by exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills and other losses. Talk with an experienced asbestos exposure attorney at Joye Law Firm.
At Joye Law Firm, we understand the challenges that you and your family are facing after a mesothelioma diagnosis. We want to help you demand justice and accountability while you focus on your health. To discuss the possibility of filing an asbestos lawsuit: contact a Joye Law Firm attorney. We can review your case for free and outline your legal options.
Steps To File Your Lawsuit for Asbestos Exposure
Exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma. Therefore, establishing how you were exposed is a crucial aspect of building a case for compensation. A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be made 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos, making it more challenging to draw the connection between the cancer and the original source of exposure.
Typically, people diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed in the workplace or while serving in the armed services, especially in the Navy. Our attorneys will review your employment history and service records in detail and seek to determine the source of asbestos exposure.
Any lawsuit would most likely be brought against the asbestos manufacturer, not your employer.
Major Asbestos-Related Diseases You May Seek Compensation For
Most cases of mesothelioma start in the lining of the lungs. However, pleural mesothelioma is only one of the serious conditions that asbestos exposure can cause. Asbestos fibers may be swallowed and lead to cancer of the abdomen. Other conditions that may be the basis for an asbestos lawsuit include:
- Stomach Cancer (malignant peritoneal mesothelioma)
- Asbestosis, chronic lung disease
- Cancer of the lining of the heart (Pericardial mesothelioma)
- Effusion, fluid buildup
Talk to Your Doctor
The symptoms of mesothelioma are common to many conditions, making it harder to diagnose.
The most common symptoms of mesothelioma are:
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea/vomiting
- Dry cough
- Low energy/fatigue
- Weight loss
- Excessive perspiration
If you have these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention from a doctor with experience diagnosing mesothelioma. Your doctor will conduct diagnostic tests to determine whether you are suffering from mesothelioma. The doctor may refer you to a specialist.
Choose an Experienced Attorney
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, finding the right attorney to handle your case is crucial. You want to choose a law firm with the resources and experience to handle asbestos exposure lawsuits in South Carolina. These can be complicated cases to investigate.
Do your homework and set up a legal consultation. Arrive prepared with a list of questions and concerns. Our attorneys are proud of our record of results on behalf of clients and are ready to represent you if you have an asbestos cancer lawsuit. We will give you an honest assessment of your case during the initial meeting.
Investigate Employment History
Asbestos was used in many industries because of its heat-resistant and insulating properties. Consequently, many people were exposed to asbestos on the job, particularly those who worked as:
- Firefighters
- Construction workers
- Factory workers
- Power plant workers
- Shipyard workers
- HVAC installers
- Insulation installers
- Military personnel
In many instances, connecting a case of mesothelioma to a work history at a company or site known to have exposed workers to asbestos is the most crucial step in building a solid claim for compensation.
Document Asbestos Exposure
If there is not a previously established link between your work history and asbestos exposure, an attorney will need to investigate to determine how you were exposed. You will need to provide as much information about your employment history and job-related tasks as possible, including the locations where you worked. Our attorneys at Joye Law Firm are familiar with the industries in South Carolina where asbestos was used.
Any documents outlining the scope of your job and potential exposure to dangerous materials could be particularly helpful. Answer all questions about your work history as thoroughly as possible.
The review process gives your attorney a better understanding of which company may be held liable for your illness. Depending on the circumstances, pursuing compensation can be as simple as filing a claim with an asbestos trust, a fund set up by bankrupt asbestos companies to pay out claims.
Prepare a Lawsuit
Once your attorney has established that you will need to file a lawsuit, the most intensive phase of seeking compensation begins. After filing with the relevant court, the defendant in your lawsuit is notified of your legal complaint. Generally, they will have 30 days to respond. However, many parties do not want to admit fault or accept financial responsibility for their negligent actions. They may dispute your allegations.
Next, both sides may begin the intensive process of preparing for a potential trial. They will assemble documentation and depose witnesses, then exchange their findings with one another. Your attorney will use this evidence to build a compelling case to give you the best chance at recovering compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Many cases end in mesothelioma lawsuit settlements. Based on the evidence gathered by your attorney and the strength of your case, the defendant may offer a mesothelioma settlement to avoid going a trial. If the settlement offer is reasonable, you may accept it, and the lawsuit will end there.
If the other party is not willing to agree to a reasonable settlement, your attorney will prepare to take your case to court. Joye Law Firm has trial lawyers with extensive litigation experience. We will be ready to go to trial if it’s in your best interest. A civil jury will hear your case and render a verdict.
What Is the Average Compensation You Can Get from a Lawsuit for Asbestos Exposure?
No two mesothelioma cases are exactly the same. That means there is no average settlement. At Joye Law Firm, we pursue the maximum amount of compensation for our clients, given the specifics of their cases.
However, we understand that you want some idea of what you may be able to expect from a successful asbestos lawsuit. A successful mesothelioma lawsuit may lead to a recovery of anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. But no outcome is guaranteed. It would be unethical for an attorney to promise any amount of compensation before the case is litigated.
Visit our results page to get a better idea of what we have recovered for past clients. Those outcomes are not predictive of the result of any future case. But they do illustrate the strong effort and resources we devote on behalf of our clients. Contact our office for a free consultation to discuss whether a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestosis lawsuit is appropriate based on your medical diagnosis.
Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, reach out to a skilled asbestos exposure lawyer at Joye Law Firm. Our legal team wants to help you pursue compensation. We look forward to meeting you during a free, no-obligation consultation.
