Asbestos is a known carcinogen that is a hazard to those who reside around it. Those with the most exposure will be exposed to asbestos on long-term jobs and with families that have had asbestos in the home for many years. Employers are also liable for exposure because they are exposed to asbestos every day.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer, caused when workers inhale asbestos or when there is direct contact with all forms of asbestos including brake dust and insulation, among many others. Until recently, mesothelioma has been a disease that was hard to prove, with a low survival rate.
However, state and federal laws have now changed. Mesothelioma lawsuits are being brought against those who knowingly exposed people to asbestos.
Why File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
Mesothelioma patients and their families have suffered more than enough without bearing additional financial burdens. That’s why filing a mesothelioma lawsuit could help alleviate the financial burden that a patient may experience following the loss of a loved one to mesothelioma.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact an experienced asbestos lawyer today.
In the past twenty years, there has been an increase in the number of mesothelioma lawsuits filed. This is mainly because now it is easier to prove and win a claim. The main reason for the increase in mesothelioma lawsuits is the improved survival rate. The survival rate has gone up to over 60% due to new treatments and medicines that have been approved in recent years.
Also, because of the rise in cases, more scientists are researching the cause of this type of cancer. Although asbestos can be found all over, there are still those who were knowingly exposed to it on the job or at home around 20 or more years ago.
If you have been affected by mesothelioma or know someone who has, contact a lawyer. A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed, to recover the damages that these people suffered. With all the new laws and better research, those with mesothelioma are gaining more legal victories.
A Past Example
In 1984, a woman named Sheila Thomas was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Twenty years later, Sheila received a lump sum payment of $2.8 million from Johns-Manville after her family sued the company for the cost of her medical care.
Johns-Manville was well aware of the dangers in its products, including asbestos that was found in Sheila’s own home. The company knew that its use of asbestos-caused many people to get sick or die, but it continued to sell the products anyway.
In the documentary, Sheila Thomas’ brother said that he would gladly sue again if he had to because his family would rather have his sister alive and healthy than worry about money. He also said that Johns-Manville is not alone in its lack of responsibility – it is just one example of what many corporations do today.
The Purpose of a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
There are basically two reasons why somebody would file a lawsuit: to get compensation for their injuries or to avoid further injuries. Some people file their own lawsuits because they want to know exactly how much they’re going to get, while others don’t care and just want to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.
The latter is the best reason to file a lawsuit since you can be sure that the court will order proper safeguards to protect people from future exposure to asbestos.
In addition to filing against the asbestos companies who manufactured and distributed the products you were exposed to, you can also file against your employer, who, if they knew that you were repeatedly exposed to asbestos during your employment, ought to have taken steps to protect their employees.
Conclusion
Mesothelioma is aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It often doesn’t manifest for decades, and the outcome of the disease is almost always deadly. But if you, or someone you love, was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working in an industry where they were regularly exposed to asbestos products like insulation or pipes, then it might be time to consider filing a lawsuit.
If you are considering filing a lawsuit, then you need to know what a mesothelioma lawsuit is, who it can be filed against, and the best ways to make sure that your case is properly handled.
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