Mesothelioma Lawyers

If you, a loved one, or someone you know has worked in the trucking industry as a truck driver, truck repairman, or diesel mechanic, and has recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to a mesothelioma lawsuit settlement. There are many mesothelioma lawyers in the U.S. that specialize in mesothelioma lawsuit settlements. Before I show you where to find the best mesothelioma lawyers, I want to share with you some very valuable information you need to know about mesothelioma.

What is Mesothelioma?

You may have glanced at the commercials on T.V. and may be asking yourself “what is mesothelioma?”. Malignant mesothelioma, most commonly referred to as just mesothelioma, is a disease that affects the serous membranes that surround the major organs in the midsection of the human body. Although, the most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, mesothelioma has also been known to affect the lining of the heart, abdomen, and other tissues of the midsection. Contrary to popular belief, mesothelioma is not a type of primary lung cancer, as it does not originate in the lungs but, can very easily spread to the lungs from other parts of the body if not treated in time. Asbestosis is often confused with mesothelioma since it is a type of asbestos lung disease.

The next question you may be asking yourself, now that you know what mesothelioma is and what causes it, is… what is asbestos? Contrary to what most people think, asbestos is not a man-made substance but, rather, it is a metamorphic mineral. Both of the minerals asbestos and erionite contain microscopic fibers that, when inhaled, can become lethal. It is through this constant repetitive inhalation of asbestos over many years that causes the diseases malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis to develop.

A Short History of Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Although the dangers of being exposed to asbestos have been known since the 1930’s, many manufacturing and construction companies kept this information hidden from their own employees as the workers continued to handle materials known to contain asbestos. Industries that posed the highest risk of asbestos contamination were asbestos mining sites and companies manufacturing asbestos materials such as insulation. It is estimated that approximately 27.5 million people were exposed to asbestos at the workplace from 1940 all the way up until 1979. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that the regulation of asbestos was enacted. Since then, an average of 3,000 people have died every year due to asbestos related illnesses. Many of these people worked in shipyards, asbestos manufacturing plants, construction sites, and even the commercial trucking industry, especially those that worked in the distribution of asbestos related products. Truck mechanics and truck part manufacturing employees were also at high risk of developing mesothelioma due to constant exposure to truck parts containing asbestos such as brake pads, hood liners, heat seals, gasket materials, clutches, valve rings, and packing. If you are a truck driver who took it upon himself to change his own brake pads or repair parts of his own truck for many years, you may be at risk of developing mesothelioma or any other asbestos related disease as well. Now that you know what mesothelioma is, how it is contracted, and who is most likely at risk of developing mesothelioma, you may be asking yourself what the symptoms are. Good question.

The Different Types of Mesothelioma and Their Symptoms

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of mesothelioma, has been known to grow rapidly, enlarging the pleural space as it does, causing it to fill up with liquid. It is the presence of this liquid that leads to the pain and discomfort associated with the first signs of pleural mesothelioma. As the person inhales the microscopic asbestos fibers found in asbestos materials, these fibers become lodged in the pleura and, over time, they cause damage to the pleura which can lead to cancer. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include the following: Mesothelioma Lawyers

Shortness of breath
Chest pains
Dry cough
Wheezing
Harsh breathing sounds
Barely audible breathing sounds
A reduction of chest expansion
Pleural effusions

Pleural mesothelioma occurs in 75% of all mesothelioma cases to date.

Pericardical Mesothelioma

Pericardical mesothelioma, on the other hand, is much rarer than pleural mesothelioma, occurring in less than 10% of all mesothelioma cases. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs when the rapid growth of cancerous tumors expand the tissue surrounding the heart, accumulating fluid at the same time. This fluid, which is known to cause chest pain, interferes with the functions of the heart. Pericardial mesothelioma is also believed to be caused by long-term exposure to asbestos but, doctors are baffled as to how the microscopic asbestos fibers penetrate the soft tissues that surround the heart.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the serous membrane surrounding the abdomen, and accounts for approximately 10% to 20% of all known mesothelioma cases. It is believed that the ingestion of microscopic asbestos fibers is what causes peritoneal mesothelioma. A rare form of peritoneal mesothelioma has also been known to affect the male testicles, since the layer of tissue covering the scrotum is actually a sheath of the peritoneum itself.

When and Where Mesothelioma is Most Prominent

Since most workers will not develop this awful disease until 20 to 50 years after their initial exposure to asbestos materials, many retired people who are just now entering their “golden years” are beginning to show signs and symptoms of malignant mesothelioma. This includes truckers and truck repairmen who have been exposed to brake pads, hood linings, clutch facings, gaskets, heat seals, and valve rings, many of which still remain on trucks currently being used today. Both current and former truck mechanics are at high risk of developing malignant mesothelioma, with the highest concentrations of the disease found in the following cities and states:

Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Denver
Detroit
Richmond
Seattle
California
Florida
New York
Pennsylvania
Texas
Washington, D.C.

Many retired truck mechanics living in Florida are being diagnosed with mesothelioma due to the prolonged inhalation of asbestos contaminated brake dust.

You’ve Been Diagnosed With Mesothelioma… Now What?

Due to their day-to-day work environment, many truck drivers are now being diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, and even asbestos related lung cancer. There’s still hope for many truckers and diesel mechanics to be compensated for their pain and suffering.

A retired man was awarded $3.5 million in a mesothelioma lawsuit settlement case in Buffalo, New York brought against several automotive and truck parts manufacturers and distributors due to his prolonged exposure to asbestos materials. Cases like this are not uncommon. According to the Wall Street Journal, the typical payout in a mesothelioma lawsuit settlement is $1 million, with the attorneys pocketing 40% of this amount as their fee. However, according to a recent Mealey’s Litigation Report, if the case actually goes to trial, the average amount awarded to the victim is $2.1 million. Of course, each case is different, and the amount of the mesothelioma lawsuit settlement award is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to:

The cost of medical expenses.
The severity of physical and mental stress.
Wages lost due to an asbestos related illness.
Other expenses that accumulate due to the illness.
How strong the court case is.
The plaintiff’s current health condition.
The extent at which the defendant(s) are liable.

Of course, none of these factors really matter if you don’t have a competent experienced mesothelioma attorney fighting on your behalf. But, how do you go about finding the best attorney to represent you in a mesothelioma lawsuit settlement? You ask the right questions, that’s how.

Important Questions to Ask When Choosing a Mesothelioma Lawyer

Question #1

How much personal experience do you have representing mesothelioma patients? You need to find out just how many cases the mesothelioma lawyers you are interviewing have actually handled themselves. If the lawyer does have personal experience handling mesothelioma cases, then put him on the stand and ask him a few more questions. How many of those cases were settled? How many cases actually went to trial? What were the results of each case? How many cases did they win and how many cases did they lose? Ask the same questions about their law firm. You must gather as much information about the firm as you can during that initial interview. Your goal is to find out if mesothelioma lawsuit settlements are the firm’s specialty.

Question #2

Do you intend to handle the case yourself, or pass it on to another law firm? Many attorneys will pass these cases onto another law firm in exchange for a percentage of the fee. While this is perfectly legal, it may not be in your best interest.

Question #3

How will the expenses and fees for the case be handled? It can take weeks or even months for lawyers to research and prepare for the court case and mesothelioma lawsuit settlements are no exception. During all that preparation time, attorneys’ fees can accumulate, and that’s before the trial even begins. Travel expenses, expert witnesses, and depositions all cost money. The entire process can last for months or even years, before the trial is finally over.

Usually, the initial costs associated with the preparation for the case will be advanced by the attorney or the law firm. In fact, most lawyers base these fees on a contingency fee contract in which the attorneys themselves receive a percentage of the amount awarded to the client if the client wins. If the client loses, the lawyer earns no fee, according to the stipulations set forth by the contract.

Question #4

What exactly is involved in a mesothelioma lawsuit? This question serves two purposes. It forces the attorney to give you a rundown of the legal process and what your part will be in that process. It also clues you in as to how good the attorney is at communicating. If the potential mesothelioma lawyers you’re interviewing can’t even explain the answers to your questions in a way that makes sense to you, how can they be expected to represent you adequately in court?

Let’s face it. A lot of money is at stake when it comes to mesothelioma lawsuit settlements. With that being said, it would be wise to interview more than just one or two attorneys before you make your final decision. You have a much greater chance of winning a mesothelioma lawsuit if you have an attorney who communicates well, has a good amount of experience arguing these kind of cases, and is in this fight for your rights as a victim, not just for the money.

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Mesothelioma Lawyers