Finding out that you have mesothelioma, a serious type of lung cancer, is devastating. You may be feeling shocked, overwhelmed, confused, and scared of what’s going to happen next. But you may also be wondering how this happened to you.
Mesothelioma is not a cancer that occurs naturally. This type of cancer is typically caused by exposure to asbestos. This means that at some point in your life, it’s likely you were exposed to toxic amounts of asbestos.
When someone else’s negligence is the cause of this asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to considerable compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Continue reading to learn more about when you might be able to sue after being diagnosed with mesothelioma and what you might expect to be awarded if your lawsuit is successful.
When to Sue After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
In order for a mesothelioma personal injury claim to be successful, we will need to be able to prove based on a preponderance of the evidence that someone else’s negligence was the cause of your asbestos exposure and therefore your mesothelioma diagnosis.
There are any number of ways that this could have occurred. Maybe you worked for forty years in construction building houses and your employer failed to provide you with the protective gear that would have prevented the asbestos exposure.
Or perhaps you are a renter who was exposed to asbestos after your landlord failed to maintain the property and make necessary repairs. In any case, your lawyer will need to closely review the circumstances of your diagnosis to determine whether someone else’s negligence caused your mesothelioma cancer.
Potential Causes of Mesothelioma
Occupational exposure to asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. People that work in shipbuilding, mining, manufacturing, factory, construction are particularly likely to be exposed to asbestos on a regular basis. Mechanics and military veterans may also be an increased risk. Despite the known dangers of asbestos exposure, use of the substance is not banned in the United States.
Although occupational exposure to asbestos is one of the primary risk factors for asbestos, other factors may also increase the chances that a person becomes seriously ill. A study by ATS Journals indicates that coexposure to asbestos, mineral wood (MW), and/or silica seem to increase the risk of pleural mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs and chest wall. Silica is a mineral found in concrete, rock, soil, sand, and other materials. Silica particles are particularly dangerous to construction workers, as they can be inhaled and may cause serious health consequences.
Compensating Victims of Asbestos Exposure
Once your lawyer has determined that you have grounds for a lawsuit, it’s time to figure out how much your claim is worth. Your lawyer will need to examine all of the ways your mesothelioma and asbestos exposure have impacted your life. Every single loss should be taken into account when calculating the value of your claim. Some of these losses should include:
- Current medical expenses and equipment
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of household services
- Loss of companionship and love
- Reputational damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
Get Help from a Mesothelioma Lawyer
When you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and you believe your condition was caused by asbestos exposure, you need legal representation you can count on.
Schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer at Monge & Associates. We can be reached by phone at 800-421-0174 or through the convenient contact form we have provided below when you are ready to get started on your case.