What is Mesothelioma?
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Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium –– a thin layer of tissue that covers most of our internal organs. In most cases, the tissue surrounding the lungs is affected. However, cases have been reported in which other body organs are affected with this condition. This form of cancer is very aggressive and often proves fatal if it is malignant Mesothelioma.
Know the Risk Factors
Although several materials can possibly cause this disease, mesothelioma is primarily attributed to exposure to asbestos as reported by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry of the CDC. Furthermore, Asbestos has been classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a human carcinogen.
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing malignant Mesothelioma. The latency period for the disease is reported to be around 20 to 40 years. So exposure to asbestos can go unnoticed for decades. Hence, mesothelioma cases are diagnosed years after the first exposure to asbestos occurs. In a study conducted by the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), annual multiple-cause-of-death records were analyzed for the period from 1999 to 2005. It was found that a total of 18,068 deaths were reported because of malignant Mesothelioma.
Who should be concerned?
Asbestos is imported into the United States and was even mined in the country during the 20th century. In the US, the use of asbestos peaked in 1973 when it amounted to 803,000 metric tons before declining to 1,700 metric tons in 2007. Industrial workers employed in settings such as manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding prior to 1980s are the ones who are at most risk, as federal safety regulation was not in place at the that time. Exposure continues to occur today because of the demolition of buildings in which asbestos was used during construction.
Steps to Take in Case Of Asbestos-Exposure Related Mesothelioma
After taking into consideration several research findings, exposure to asbestos has been singled out as the main cause of Mesothelioma in most cases. This exposure affects individuals differently. Several factors are involved, including concentration, frequency and duration of exposure as well as the shape, size and chemical makeup of the fibers that determine your chances of contracting Mesothelioma.
It is natural to feel concerned about Mesothelioma if you have experienced chronic exposure to asbestos. Doctors recommend that such people should get regular CT scans or chest x-rays. They must also get lung function tests as these tests can detect problems caused by asbestos fibers. If any problems are detected, you should obtain a professional Mesothelioma diagnosis. In the unfortunate event of being diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you have the grounds for filing a lawsuit. A Mesothelioma law suit can help you claim compensation for the additional costs borne in dealing with this disease as well as for the resulting emotional distress and trauma.
Mesothelioma cases by State
Jurisdiction | 2016 Filing | % of 2016 Filing | 2015 Filing | % of 2015 Filing |
Madison County, IL | 619 | 28.90% | 563 | 25.77% |
New York, NY | 184 | 8.59% | 193 | 8.83% |
Baltimore City, MD | 182 | 8.50% | 233 | 10.66% |
St. Louis, MO | 133 | 6.21% | 108 | 4.94% |
Philadelphia, PA | 90 | 4.20% | 93 | 4.26% |
Wayne, MI | 86 | 4.01% | 125 | 5.72% |
New Castle, DE | 74 | 3.45% | 71 | 3.25% |
Cook County, IL | 73 | 3.41% | 95 | 4.35% |
Los Angeles, CA | 57 | 2.66% | 39 | 1.78% |
Kanawha, WV | 55 | 2.57% | 55 | 2.52% |
Allegheny, PA | 50 | 2.33% | 33 | 1.51% |
Middlesex, NJ | 46 | 2.15% | 35 | 1.60% |
St Clair, IL | 30 | 1.40% | 57 | 2.61% |
Madison County, IL, accounts for the most number of total asbestos and mesothelioma filings in 2016. There is an upward trend (10% increase) in total filings (both asbestos and mesothelioma) in this county from 2015 to 2016. Other jurisdictions which show the same trend for the 2015-16 period are: Los Angeles, CA, Allegheny, PA, and St. Louis, MO. However, two of Illinois’s counties show a downward trend – Cook County shows a 23% and St. Clair County shows a 47% decrease in total filings.
*Statistics are taken from KCIC’s report titled “Asbestos Litigation: 2015 Year in Review”.
Why choose a Mesothelioma Law firm
The dangers associated with asbestos exposure have been known to the Asbestos manufacturers for decades. Victims of the disease rightly feel that they should have been warned about these dangers and so undue hardships both for the victims and their families could have been avoided. Treatment plans are often tailored to the patient's needs so the medical expenses incurred because of the disease vary from person to person and are often considerable.
If you feel that you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma and have also been exposed to asbestos fibers during their lives, you will typically be eligible for filing a lawsuit and claim compensation for any treatment related expenses, as well as for the pain and suffering caused by this disease. The litigation process involved is quite complex. So it is better to hire the services of a Mesothelioma law firm that has the time as well as the resources to tackle investigations specific to your case.
How to Select a Mesothelioma Attorney?
Best tips to select a Mesothelioma lawyer for you
Choosing the right mesothelioma attorney is very important as it is not easy to trace the asbestos exposure and also identifying the company responsible for the exposed asbestos environment. You need to consider a few key points while choosing a mesothelioma lawyer which are:
- Basic Know-how: Ensure that the attorney offers personal service. Most of the mesothelioma lawyers refer clients to other law firms for a good fee and they will have almost nothing to do with you later. Find a lawyer that will help you out with the whole legal process and the one that has the experience as well as the resources which are essential to handle the case
- Mesothelioma Experience: Keep the practical considerations in mind that include the lawyer’s area of expertise, the amount of fees charged by them and time-duration of case completion, look for a firm that focuses primarily or exclusively on litigating mesothelioma cases, know the prior experience and reputation of the attorney and how good their communications skills are
- Responsive: You should be pretty comfortable with the appointed mesothelioma attorney as he will be the person who will help you with the whole legal process and get you compensation by winning the case. The attorney should be caring enough to respond to your calls regularly and satisfactorily. It can be frustrating for the mesothelioma victims when the lawyer won’t answer your phone calls. Some are really responsive while others may respond till you have signed a representation agreement
- Results Speak: It is a good idea to look up the history of the best mesothelioma lawyers shortlisted by you. Sometimes the biggest cases are settled while sometime the mesothelioma law firms have a reputation in selecting only those cases that have the higher chance of getting settled and the defendants know they are likely to be outgunned in trial. It is crucial for your lawyer to walk you through the details of your case, explain the strong and weak points and be totally honest about the possibilities for compensation gain and also build a timeline
- Trust your Instincts: No matter how good a mesothelioma attorney would look on paper, if you don’t feel he is the right person to appoint try finding someone else with whom you have a better understanding and working relationship. Choosing the right lawyer can help you in getting the right settlement so this selection process is worth every second of yours.
