Mesothelioma Causes

October 22, 2020 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Form a Deadly Combination

Mesothelioma Lawyer Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PAMesothelioma is a tumor that attacks vital organs. This deadly cancer is incurable and caused by asbestos exposure. Thousands of Americans receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma every year. While it is an incurable and aggressive form of cancer, modern treatments exist that allow people to live with and fight the disease. When you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may feel scared about your health and well-being, and you also may be unsure of what comes next. To help you overcome your uncertainty, you should speak to an experienced Mesothelioma lawyer for advice. Your chosen legal representative can work hard to find out why you suffer from this condition and hold those responsible accountable for your medical expenses. The last thing you need to worry about right now is how you will pay your bills. Keep your focus on your health and physical well-being while your legal team focuses on your financial well-being.

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
No matter what caused your diagnosis, when you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, your world begins to change. Because most people do not know that they have mesothelioma until very late in the cancer's progress, the chances of survival are slim. However, there are treatments available, but those treatments come at a great cost. That's why you need to speak with a skilled mesothelioma attorney who can help you collect damages for your suffering. When you do not have the stress about how you will pay for all of your necessary mesothelioma treatment, you can better focus on your physical needs, your recovery, and your family.

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
If you suffer from any of these symptoms and suspect that you were exposed to asbestos, you need to see a medical professional as soon as possible. Even if your symptoms do not show mesothelioma, getting medical treatment will help you recover from your ailment as quickly as possible. If you do have mesothelioma, you may be able to catch it early enough that you can take swift and decisive action to beat it.

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.
Each of these treatments for mesothelioma will play a part in changing your daily life, and it is not just your physical life that will change. Your mental well-being is also important and should not go overlooked. With any course of treatment for mesothelioma, you may experience increased anxiety. You have received life-changing news and now have uncertainty about what your life will look like going forward. Certain treatments may also alter the way you look, for example by making your hair fall out. This emotional experience can change the way people see you and negatively impact your confidence. You may also experience depression or a sense of hopelessness. Do not let that feeling overwhelm you, and if you sense it, get help. Your family, friends, and medical providers can offer the necessary support. There are many things you can do to feel better, including:
  • 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
Whether you or a loved one has suffered a mesothelioma diagnosis, changes to your lives are coming. How you address those changes and how you prepare for those changes can make a difference in your mental well-being. One item you should not stress over is your legal claim. When you work with a seasoned mesothelioma lawyer, you can let go of the legal stress and worry, knowing that your case is in good hands and that your legal team is working hard to protect your rights maximize your compensation.

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.
The best way to find out more about your legal options is to speak with a knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer today. Your lawyer may try to get you compensation for:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning potential
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of life enjoyment
  • Present and future medical bills
While you likely face extremely high medical costs right now for your mesothelioma treatment, your future costs may amount to even more. Part of this is due to the uncertainty of your medical prognosis. That's why you need to get an accurate understanding of your future medical needs. With that information, your chosen legal representation can provide an accurate estimate of what it will cost for you to receive future treatments. This information is important because it gives you, and your lawyer, a clearer picture of the true value of your claim. Act quickly. As many years may have passed since you were exposed to asbestos, it can take a long time to figure out where your exposure occurred and which company or person is at fault. Regardless, this is an important step in the process so that you can maximize your compensation. You should not have to suffer more by paying out of pocket for your medical expenses. Work with an experienced mesothelioma attorney today to help maximize your recovery.

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/  

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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