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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawsuits

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by TRM48
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs and is caused from exposure to asbestos. The symptoms (shortness of breath, severe cough, and chest pain) may not appear for 20 or more years which mean it is usually in the later stages of development. Exposure could have been by accident or because of negligence by companies that use asbestos. Most people diagnosed with mesothalioma received exposure in an occupational setting such as asbestos mines, processing plants, manufacturing plants where asbestos products are produced and jobs where asbestos was used such as shipyards, chemical and power plants and oil refineries. The U.S. Navy used hundreds of asbestos-contaminated products in its vessels through the 1970’s, which exposed thousands of US veterans to hazardous asbestos conditions.

If you suffer from this condition, there are several legal avenues you can take. Many mesothalioma patients have successfully sued negligent companies and been awarded cash settlements by the courts. Patients have the right to be reimbursed for their medical bills, compensation for lost income and pain and suffering. Some states allow a lawsuit for the wrongful death of a spouse or family member, even if he or she did not file a lawsuit while alive. Most mesothelioma cases are settled out of court.

Mesothelioma attorneys need special training and experience when seeking compensation for clients. Beware of attorneys who promise you a specific amount of compensation during your first conversation. Make sure you use a lawyer that has experience with this specific condition and is willing to work on a “no win – no fee” basis and collect their fee only after the case is resolved. These fees may be almost half of the settlement amount. Awarded damages can be thousands or millions of dollars depending on the individual patient case and the knowledge and skill of your attorney.