What to Do If You Have Been Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation that can cover your medical costs and future damages.
The use of asbestos in manufacturing and construction during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries has had severe consequences. Once praised for its versatility and insulative properties, asbestos was eventually found to have lethal health effects on those who were exposed to it in sufficient quantities. Asbestos contains fine fibers that are largely impervious to heat and electricity, and when inhaled, these fibers can scar the insides of the lungs. The irritation that ensues can cause pulmonary cancers such as mesothelioma decades after exposure to asbestos. Keep reading to learn what you should do if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or think you are showing signs of exposure.
Though asbestos is a naturally occurring substance, individuals who have worked directly with asbestos in factories and under other circumstances are at an elevated risk for being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer. Because asbestos fibers can stick to clothing, the families of people who work with asbestos are also at risk of asbestos-related complications. Mesothelioma occurs thirty to forty years after the lining of the internal organs, such as the lungs, is irritated by asbestos fibers. If you think you might be developing mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos at your current job or during previous employment, you may have the grounds for compensation and should speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Buffalo. These are the three steps you should take in order to receive the damages that you deserve.
1. Obtain an Official Diagnosis from a Doctor.
Mesothelioma cancer is the leading medical complication stemming from exposure to asbestos fibers or dust. Because mesothelioma has a long latency period, it may be many years between the exposure and the time of diagnosis. If you or someone you love was diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have a legal right to pursue compensation from the companies that put you and your loved ones at risk. Symptoms such as chest pain, coughing up blood, and shortness of breath are common indicators of pleural mesothelioma, so you should see a doctor immediately if you exhibit signs such as these.
2. Find an Attorney with Experience in Personal Injury.
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos on the job qualifies as an occupational hazard, and one of our personal injury lawyers in Buffalo will be able to help you in your case. Once you decide upon an attorney, he or she will take a complete history from you and all other individuals who have been exposed. Spare no detail as you speak with your attorney; any detail about your or one of your family’s past employment could be important.
3. File a Claim Against the Responsible Party.
Once your attorney identifies the company that was likely responsible for your exposure to asbestos, the litigation process is started. Cases such as these are generally on an expedited trial basis, and they move along rather quickly. Time is of the essence where cancer and related serious conditions are concerned, and the sooner that we can obtain compensation for our clients, the sooner they can begin or resume treatment for their lethal conditions.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer because of asbestos, contact our personal injury lawyers in Buffalo immediately to begin work on your case.
There is no reason for a previous or current job to have exposed you to such a volatile substance, and you will require immediate medical attention if you are to make a full recovery.