What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, affecting the linings of the lungs, abdomen and heart. Mesothelioma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, weight loss, coughing and more, may not present for 20 to 50 years after exposure – making the disease difficult to diagnose and sometimes impossible to treat. The sad fact is that most mesothelioma victims aren’t treated in time and can die within one to two years after diagnosis.
Other diseases associated with asbestos exposure include cancers that affect the lung, gastrointestinal tract, kidney, ovaries, testicles and larynx and asbestosis (a scarring of the lung tissue from an acid produced by the body’s attempt to dissolve the fiber).
Who is at Risk for Developing Mesothelioma?
Anyone who worked with, or was exposed to, asbestos is at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos was commonly used in chemical plants, aluminum plants, steel mills, auto plants, power plants, shipyards, oil refineries, paper plants, asbestos manufacturing plants and in the construction industry over the past century.
Asbestos Manufacturers Failed to Warn of Known Dangers
It is widely believed that asbestos manufacturers, suppliers and distributors knew that working with, or being exposed to, asbestos had a serious risk of injury or death.
However, most manufacturers, suppliers and distributors failed to warn about these known dangers, failed to provide proper safety gear and put thousands of innocent workers – along with their families who may have been exposed second hand – at a higher risk of contracting mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits Continue to Be Filed
Over 1 million people have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers, suppliers and distributors – and it is likely that lawsuits will continue well into the future as people continue to be diagnosed with this often fatal disease.
According to information from the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics and the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, over 60,000 additional mesothelioma deaths will occur by 2030.
Mesothelioma Compensation
Numerous mesothelioma lawsuits have resulted in multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts. Asbestos manufacturers have already paid out billions of dollars in damages.
While the facts and circumstances of every situation will differ, mesothelioma victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for their injuries in the form of:
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical impairment or disfigurement
- Costs of rehabilitation
- Loss of spousal support and companionship
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
- End of life expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages and more
Why It Makes Sense to Hire an Experienced Lawyer
Hiring a mesothelioma lawyer can make all the difference when it comes to prevailing in your mesothelioma injury lawsuit.
Not only can they advise you on your rights and determine the types of compensation for which you may be entitled, an experienced mesothelioma attorney knows which job sites, companies and industries have been implicated or found liable in the past and which legal venues may provide for optimal recovery.
Joye Law Firm
At Joye Law Firm, our attorneys provide clients with legal representation in personal injury, wrongful death and product liability litigation. We have nearly 250 years of combined litigation experience in South Carolina courtrooms and settlement tables, and we have earned honors from Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers.
We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients – many of which were multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts – and were responsible for winning the largest personal injury settlement in South Carolina’s history.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or have lost a loved one to this disease, let our attorneys help you. Call Joye Law Firm at (888) 324-3100 or fill out a free online consultation form.
