About Asbestos Lawsuits
- Asbestos is a hazardous material used in many construction products, and its inhalation can lead to severe health issues, including mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that can take decades to manifest after exposure.
- Mesothelioma symptoms, such as chronic coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath, are often subtle in the early stages. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, with earlier detection offering a better prognosis.
- Victims of asbestos exposure can pursue legal claims against manufacturers and employers who failed to warn about asbestos dangers, potentially receiving compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and even punitive damages.
Why Hire CSS for an Asbestos Lawsuit
At Childers, Schlueter & Smith, we understand the profound impact mesothelioma and asbestos-related illnesses can have on your life and your family. With years of experience in handling complex asbestos litigation, our dedicated personal injury attorneys are committed to holding negligent manufacturers and employers accountable. We have a proven track record of successfully securing compensation for asbestos-exposure victims and are relentless in pursuing justice for our clients.
When you choose our firm, you receive personalized attention tailored to your unique circumstances. We take the time to understand your story and work tirelessly to build a strong case that maximizes your compensation. Asbestos lawsuits involve intricate legal and medical details, but our expertise and resources allow us to navigate these complexities effectively. Importantly, we operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery without financial stress.
More than just legal advocates, we provide compassionate support throughout this challenging process. At CSS, we are here to guide you every step of the way, offering not only legal representation but also understanding and empathy. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve—contact us for a free consultation today.
What are the Dangers of Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure?
Asbestos, a fiber used in many construction materials and insulation, has been extremely lethal to those who have inhaled its fibers and dust particles. The inhalation of asbestos can lead to a range of problems, including asthma, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a disease that attacks the membranes around the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavity. The actual cells of the mesothelium become abnormal, dividing without order or control. According to the National Cancer Institute, the mesothelium is a membrane that protects and covers most of our body’s internal organs. The mesothelium has two layers of cells: one layer that immediately surrounds the organ, and another that forms a sac around it.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. It takes anywhere from 20 to 60 years for someone to begin to develop symptoms. Those who are most susceptible to mesothelioma are people who worked in asbestos mines, employees in construction companies, shipyard employees, and people who manufactured asbestos products. Men are affected three to five times more by this disease than women. In any year, around 2,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
The two most common types of mesothelioma are peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen organs) and pleural mesothelioma (lung cancer), the most common type of mesothelioma. Given the danger of mesothelioma, it is crucial to work with an experienced lawyer when pursuing a case.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
In the beginning stages of mesothelioma, there are only a few symptoms. When the cancer becomes more advanced, more symptoms are present. Some of the symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Chronic coughing
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Infection in the lungs
- Loss of appetite
- Wheezing
Anyone experiencing these mesothelioma symptoms after being exposed to asbestos should seek medical attention and then contact a lawyer.
Treatments for Mesothelioma Cancer
Like most forms of cancer, if detected early on, mesothelioma can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and/or photodynamic therapy. Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs that kill cancer cells in the body. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and is also used to shrink tumors. Radiation can come from a machine or from putting materials through thin plastic tubes that produce radiation. Surgery is one of the most common treatments for mesothelioma.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were about 1,500 people who died from asbestos in 2000. Asbestos can still be found in more than 3,000 products (including insulation in older buildings).
The National Cancer Institute says that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets limits for appropriate and acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. Now people who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment in order to lower their risk of exposure to asbestos. However, the risk of diseases associated with asbestos increases as the exposure to asbestos is heavier and longer. There have been cases where individuals having little exposure to asbestos still develop mesothelioma. A dedicated lawyer could work on building a strong asbestos mesothelioma case as an injured party undergoes treatment.
Legal Rights for Asbestos Exposure Victims
Victims of asbestos exposure may be entitled to damages such as costs of medical bills and lost wages because many of the manufacturers of these asbestos-containing products knew of asbestos dangers but failed to adequately warn purchasers, employers, and their employees. In asbestos lawsuits or mesothelioma lawsuits, typical parties that may be responsible include leasing agents, landlords, asbestos manufacturers, employers, and asbestos installers. In some cases, a lawyer may push for punitive damages may be awarded to punish the defendants if they had advanced knowledge of the asbestos dangers but failed to protect or warn others of these dangers.
Contact an Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorney
Mesothelioma can be a deadly disease, and it requires a skilled attorney to assist you in filing a potential claim. The laws governing mesothelioma lawsuits can be strict and must be carefully followed in order to bring a viable claim. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may want to contact our asbestos mesothelioma lawyers at Childers, Schlueter & Smith to see how we can help protect your legal rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. It affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart and can take 20-60 years to develop after asbestos exposure.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include chronic coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, and in more advanced stages, coughing up blood and wheezing. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Asbestos exposure generally occurs through inhalation of its fibers. Asbestos has been used in construction materials, insulation, and shipbuilding. Workers in these industries, as well as their family members through secondhand exposure, are most at risk.
Yes, family members can be at risk due to secondhand exposure when asbestos fibers are brought home on workers’ clothing, skin, or hair. This type of exposure can still lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
If you suspect asbestos exposure, it’s crucial to notify your doctor and undergo regular medical checkups. Early detection of asbestos-related illnesses is key. Additionally, seek legal advice to protect your rights and explore compensation options for your injuries.
Asbestos exposure is usually proven through a combination of work history, medical records, and expert testimony. Employment records, evidence of the asbestos-containing products you worked with, and a confirmed diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness are all important pieces of evidence.
Compensation can cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and in wrongful death cases, funeral expenses. Punitive damages may also be awarded if the defendants knowingly exposed people to asbestos without warning them of the dangers.
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