Chicago Mesothelioma Attorneys

Any illness or disease can be frightening, but cancer is a disease that is one of the most difficult to battle. During such times, it is important to surround yourself with people who care for you and who will also help you fight to ensure that you and your family are protected and ready for whatever comes your way. Just like you need an experienced team of medical professionals to help you with treatment, you also need experienced legal professionals to make sure that your rights are fully protected and to take whatever actions are necessary to protect you and your loved ones.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, then there is no time to lose to help ensure your family and loved ones are secure. It is vital that steps are taken to immediately file for any available Workers’ Compensation and other claims to help offset your medical bills and costs in any way you can, as well as obtain any available cash settlements. Call Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC at (312) 243-9922. Do not go through this alone; talk to our team of experienced personal injury lawyers today to discuss your case and explore your options free of charge.

Understanding Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma or malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that occurs in thin layers of tissue that cover most of the internal organs within the human body. It is very deadly, and though treatments are available, unfortunately it does have quite a high mortality rate for those affected. It most often attacks the tissue that surrounds the lungs, though it can affect other organs instead.

Another disease that occurs as a result of asbestos exposure is asbestosis. Although asbestosis is not a cancer like mesothelioma, it is a chronic respiratory disease similar to pulmonary fibrosis that is very serious as well. Although there is also currently no cure, it affects each person differently, and some patients live for many, many years with the disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

The symptoms of this cancer can vary depending on the area in which the cancer occurs. The two most common types are “pleural mesothelioma,” which affects the lungs, and “peritoneal mesothelioma,” which occurs in the tissue in a person’s abdomen.

Pleural Mesothelioma

• Painful coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Pain under the rib cage area
• Unusual and otherwise unexplained lumps of tissue under the skin on chest
• Otherwise unexplained weight loss

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

• Swelling of the abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Unusual and otherwise unexplained lumps of tissue in the abdomen
• Otherwise unexplained weight loss

Many of these symptoms may also result from other types of illnesses, especially since mesothelioma is relatively rare. But in any case, when experiencing any such symptoms that do not go away within a day or two, it is always a good idea to seek medical attention. Even if it is another illness, you may need treatment to avoid the serious complications or effects of such an illness.

Mesothelioma Risk Factors

The greatest risk factor for developing mesothelioma tends to be exposure to asbestos, especially in dust that is inhaled. Asbestos is a natural mineral that has been used for decades in materials for flooring, shingles, and especially in insulation. During mining of asbestos, or while installing or removing insulation that contains the mineral, there is an increased chance of inhaling dust with asbestos fibers in it, especially when this is done without proper protective gear. The asbestos fibers end up in the lungs and stomach where they can irritate internal organs and potentially lead to mesothelioma. This may happen decades after asbestos exposure, but developing cancer is far from a certainty as many people who work with asbestos never develop mesothelioma.

Professions that are most likely to develop mesothelioma include:

• Construction workers
• Drywall tapers
• Tile setters
• Machinists
• Roofers
• Painters
• Merchant Marines
• Brick and stone masons
• Carpenters
• Auto and aircraft mechanics
• Firefighters
• Police officers
• Welders and iron workers

Family members related to someone working in these professions can also be at risk. It is very easy for someone exposed to asbestos during removal of insulation, for example, to bring that asbestos home on clothes, skin, and hair. Spouses and children may then be exposed to it and have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.

Can I File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

Even though mesothelioma may take years, or even decades to develop, there are a number of options available to you. First of all, a claim for Workers’ Compensation can be filed, just like any other disease or illness. But in addition to workers’ comp payments, there also exist mesothelioma trust funds that contain more than $30 billion dollars which have been set aside to cover the payout of future verdicts and settlements relating to this disease.

Filing and prosecuting such a mesothelioma lawsuit is very technical in nature and beyond the abilities of most people to do properly. But when filed by an experienced mesothelioma lawyer, most cases are eventually settled out of court and often are in the range of $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. Amounts recovered are usually tied to the cost of medical expenses, which company is sued, the patient’s prognosis, and where the claim is filed. If the person with mesothelioma has died, a wrongful death lawsuit can also be filed against the manufacturer on his or her behalf by the family.

But you must keep in mind that regardless of what type of lawsuit or claim needs to be filed, every one of these claims has a very specific “statute of limitations” that applies to it. This means that if the lawsuit is not filed within a specific period of time, the victim or family will lose the chance to file a lawsuit forever and will never be able to collect a single dollar.

Contact an Injury Attorney Now

You need an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer to represent you, so call Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC today at (312) 243-9922 to talk about your case. There is no time to waste as time limits apply. We have been responsible for the recovery of millions of dollars for our deserving clients and are here to help you as well. Call us 24 hours a day for free information.