Mesothelioma and Asbestos Form a Deadly Combination

Asbestos is the Main Cause of Mesothelioma
About 3,000 people receive a mesothelioma diagnosis each year. Unfortunately, the majority of these victims will not survive. Asbestos exposure causes very slow cancer to develop. This cancer often does not show symptoms in a victim's body until it is too late. The most common cause of a mesothelioma diagnosis is asbestos exposure. While asbestos occurs naturally in the environment, it is during the extraction process where people most often develop the illness. When asbestos is removed from its natural environment, most commonly for use in insulation, fibers are released into the air and nearby individuals may inhale them. When someone inhales these fibers, because the fibers are so strong and resilient, they can attach to parts of the body and build up over time, leading to mesothelioma. The worst part about this is that it can take between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma to develop after exposure. Not only can this make it hard for the victim to know where and when the exposure occurred, but it also makes it challenging to detect. The first signs of mesothelioma are often mistaken as a cold or just a natural part of the aging process. Often, people develop a cough that will not go away, but they attribute it to something else. By the time mesothelioma is detected, it has often entered the later stages.Other Causes of Mesothelioma
Not everyone with exposure to asbestos will develop mesothelioma. While there is no scientific consensus on what else could cause this rare form of cancer, other factors have proven to increase an individual's risk. These include:- An extended history of asbestos exposure
- Living with someone who works with asbestos
- Family history of mesothelioma
- Previous cancer diagnosis
Mesothelioma Complications
As mesothelioma spreads in your body, it puts pressure on your chest. This can cause complications and symptoms you need to watch out for if you suspect you were exposed to asbestos. These symptoms include:- Pain in your chest
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden cough
- Difficulty swallowing
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Fever
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
- Sudden weight loss
- Loss of appetite
Is Mesothelioma Treatable?
Living With Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma aggressively attacks your body. Prompt medical attention will greatly reduce the symptoms and prolong survival. Medical professionals can treat mesothelioma in several ways, depending on the location of your cancer and how far it has progressed. Some treatment options include:- Surgery: If a doctor has diagnosed you with mesothelioma early in the process, you may have the greatest success with surgery. The surgery will attempt to remove all tumors from your body. If done right and done quickly, you may not experience any further complications. Mesothelioma surgery often coincides with chemotherapy.
- Radiation: If your mesothelioma has been spreading for some time, surgery may not be the best option for you, though radiation therapy can happen alongside surgery. Radiation will help ease your symptoms and reduce the risk of mesothelioma spreading further in your body.
- Chemotherapy: Used when other treatment options will not likely provide success, chemotherapy can help mesothelioma patients extend their lives. Chemotherapy works to reduce the spread of cancer, though it often cannot stop the spread completely.
- Talking about how you feel
- Keeping in touch with family and friends
- Meditation
- Do at least one thing you enjoy every day
- Reach out for help
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Depending on where mesothelioma has attacked your body and what treatment your doctor recommends, treatment costs can exceed $10,000 per month. This astronomical amount is something that most people cannot bear. Unfortunately, your insurance company may deem the treatment unnecessary and deny your claim, which means you would likely have to pay a portion or all of that cost out of pocket. Fortunately, your insurance company is not the only source of compensation. Let's be clear, though, this process of getting compensation for mesothelioma is extremely complex and time-consuming. Determining your exposure to asbestos, including how and when it occurred, can take a great deal of investigation. This should not deter you from filing a claim, however, as it may be your only recourse to secure compensation from the party who caused your pain and suffering. Besides that, several sources may exist from which you can recover compensation. This may include:- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
- Making a workers' compensation claim
- Taking part in a class action lawsuit
- Filing a claim with a mesothelioma trust fund
- Taking advantage of special VA benefits for veterans who developed mesothelioma during their military service.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Present and future medical bills
Accepting a Mesothelioma Settlement
Once you have determined who is to blame for your asbestos exposure and resulting mesothelioma, you can begin the process of filing a personal injury claim. Soon after you do that, the insurance company representing the company that caused your asbestos injury may call you to offer you a quick settlement. What you need to remember here is that the insurance company is trying to make you go away for as little money as possible. The insurance company does not share your goal of maximizing your financial recovery, so you do not bear the burden of paying your medical bills. The insurance company wants to protect its bottom line and keep making profits, which it cannot do if it pays out the full value of every claim. That's why you need to work with a trusted mesothelioma attorney who can help you create an accurate estimate of your future needs. This will show you just how low the insurance company's initial offer is and give you the confidence to reject it. However, if you do not have a lawyer, you may end up accepting the low-ball settlement offer, which could end up hurting you in the long run. When you sign a settlement offer, you will waive your right to bring any future claims against the insurance company for this injury, which means that months or years down the road, you may run out of settlement funds, and you and your family could end up bearing the burden of paying for your mesothelioma treatment. This is not a burden that you or your family should bear.Getting the Right Mesothelioma Attorney
Find a Mesothelioma Attorney Near You
Your ability to recover damages for your asbestos injury will depend on the legal representation that you choose. You need a lawyer experienced in the complexities and challenges of mesothelioma. This will require a thorough investigation to determine the cause of your injury, a review of extensive medical records, and discussions and testimony from experts. Your mesothelioma lawyer will also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to try to maximize your financial recovery. Your lawyer may also begin preparing for trial immediately, even as settlement negotiations are ongoing. This is not something to fear but rather a sign of experience. Mesothelioma lawyers know their clients count on them, so they leave no stone unturned and prepare for everything. While your lawyer should try to settle your claim out of court, sometimes the insurance company representing the company who caused your asbestos injury refuses to act reasonably and settle for a fair amount. This means we need to go to trial to get you every dollar you deserve. The last thing we want is to see you settle for less than you need for your expensive treatments. If you or a loved one suffers from mesothelioma, you should speak with a trusted lawyer today. Your ability to live your life and not place an undue financial burden on yourself or your family may depend on how soon you make this call. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 800 North Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 (833) 700-MESO [6376] https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/mesothelioma-practice-attorneys/