Many Illinois residents face exposure to asbestos in their homes, communities, and workplaces. When inhaled, the asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lungs and stay there for a long time. Over time, these fibers can cause serious health problems such as mesothelioma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 48,073 cases of malignant mesothelioma in the United States from 1999 to 2018.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, you can take legal action to get compensation for your illness. Contact the experienced mesothelioma attorneys at Nessler & Associates for a free consultation on holding negligent asbestos companies accountable.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma cancer occurs in the tissues of the internal organs. Medical professionals categorize mesothelioma according to which body parts it affects.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the lungs’ lining. Every year, about 3 out of 4 diagnosed cases are pleural mesothelioma. Its symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Painful coughing
- Weight loss
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen. This type of mesothelioma is rarer than pleural mesothelioma, with only 500 to 700 new cases diagnosed annually. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Swelling
- Weight loss
The survival rate from mesothelioma is generally 4-18 months after your doctors diagnose you with the condition. However, there are cases in which people have lived over ten years after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Treatment for this disease may involve tissue and lung removal surgery. Your doctor may offer chemotherapy and radiation therapy to slow down and kill cancer cells. If you experience mesothelioma, you must speak with your doctor about your risk factors and get regular screenings for the disease.
You can also speak with an asbestos attorney at our law firm for legal advice on filing a claim for your exposure.
Who is at Risk for Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is much more common among older people. Patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma are 72 years old. However, certain groups of workers are at high risk for developing the disease:
- Asbestos removal workers
- Automobile manufacturer workers
- Demolition workers
- Drywall removers
- Firefighters
- Shipyard workers
Family members of asbestos workers or people living near asbestos mines are also at risk from asbestos exposure through secondhand exposure. There is a much higher risk of lung cancer for smokers exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos Products
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned and limited the manufacturing of certain asbestos-carrying products over the years. However, asbestos is still used because of its strength and fire-resistant properties. The mineral is common in building materials, insulation products, and automobile parts.
The products that may contain asbestos include:
- Vermiculite-containing insulation products
- Car brakes and clutches
- Shingles for the roof and siding
- Patching compounds for walls and ceilings
- Insulation for pipes
How an Illinois Asbestos Attorney Can Help You After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
At Nessler & Associates, our experienced mesothelioma attorneys can guide you through every step of the asbestos litigation process. We offer these legal services:
Review Your Claim
We can determine who is responsible for your asbestos exposure by asking about your career and medical history. Your lawyer can review your doctors’ diagnoses, pathology results, and hospitalization records to determine if the asbestos exposure caused your illness.
We also discuss the work you performed to connect the disease to your work environment. As symptoms of mesothelioma can appear 38.4 years after asbestos exposure, you may be eligible for an asbestos lawsuit if your line of work exposed you to asbestos.
Gather Evidence
We collect the evidence necessary to strengthen your case. Evidence includes employment records that detail your type of work and any exposure to asbestos during those jobs.
Other evidence may include medical records showing when doctors first discovered cancerous growths in your body. We may also ask former coworkers and witnesses for their testimonies about your exposure at work.
We access a proprietary database that identifies thousands of asbestos products and companies. This helps us pare down the asbestos manufacturers responsible for your disease.
Negotiate with the Asbestos Manufacturer’s Trust Fund
Upon gathering the evidence, we must decide where to file your claim on your behalf. Some asbestos manufacturers, such as Johns Manville, have filed for bankruptcy to avoid negotiating multiple lawsuits.
Instead, the company created a $2.5 billion trust fund to handle claims from mesothelioma victims. We negotiate your claim for the highest possible amount, so you can manage your medical bills and ease your financial burden.
Represent You in Court
If we cannot agree on a settlement with the asbestos manufacturer’s legal team, we can represent you in court. Your case goes before a jury, who will learn about the facts of your claim and decide the amount you deserve in compensation. We can argue on your behalf and help you fight for your right to a fair settlement.
Filing Deadlines in Illinois
The Illinois statute of limitations for pursuing a personal injury claim for mesothelioma is two years after discovering the condition. This allows victims of asbestos to pursue fair compensation within a reasonable period.
A personal injury lawyer at our law firm can help you understand your rights and the deadlines you must meet. When diagnosed with mesothelioma, filing your lawsuit is essential, so you don’t miss out on your chance to receive fair compensation.
Financial Compensation for Mesothelioma Patients
The total amount of your settlement depends on the severity of your illness. Your mesothelioma attorneys can help you recover economic and non-economic damages in your settlement, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning ability
Non-economic damages involve:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- End-of-life expenses
- Loss of consortium
Getting Help From Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyers in Illinois
Hiring an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you choose your legal options against the big asbestos companies responsible for their asbestos-related illness. Nessler & Associates will stand with you against negligent asbestos companies and protect your rights for compensation.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to asbestos exposure, our law firm can file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf. Mesothelioma victims can call our law offices at (800) 727-8010 for a free initial consultation regarding their case.
We can examine your medical records and help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.