Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Approximately 2.1 million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer every year. Most of those people seek treatment and support, but don’t look for legal help. It begs the question: why do many people diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer in the lining of internal organs, reach out to lawyers for assistance? While everyone’s goals and needs are different, mesothelioma sufferers or their loved ones are encouraged to pursue mesothelioma claims through the legal system for the following reasons:
Accountability for Asbestos Exposure
It’s often worth connecting with a mesothelioma law firm after receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma because the main cause of this form of cancer is asbestos. Of the thousands of cases of mesothelioma reported every year, most of them are caused by occupational asbestos exposure.
From 2006 to 2022, 22% of mesothelioma cases occurred among manufacturing workers, while 13.5% occurred among construction workers. Making a legal claim can often help identify and hold companies and other parties responsible when negligent use of asbestos or failure to warn contributed to someone’s illness.
Access to Funds and Compensation
Ask any experienced mesothelioma lawyer you find, and they’ll tell you that you don’t always need to be financially affected by your recent health news. Many companies that once used asbestos established trust funds to compensate former employees harmed by exposure. Depending on your circumstances, you may have more than one potential source of recovery when you’ve been diagnosed with an illness resulting from asbestos.
Medical and Treatment Costs
Mesothelioma is an expensive form of cancer to provide treatment for. Its economic burden is tens of thousands per hospital visit. If you don’t have adequate health coverage, those costs can stack up.
Pursuing a mesothelioma claim with your chosen lawyer may mean that you’re able to receive compensation to cover the costs of expensive treatments, surgeries, medications, and ongoing medical needs. Being compensated can be a weight off your mind, allowing you to focus solely on your health rather than your bank balance.
Lost Income and Reduced Earnings
Treatment options for mesothelioma can take a considerable toll. Chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and surgery can often mean you’re not able to continue working. Lost income and reduced earnings can range into the tens of thousands of dollars.
By seeking legal advice and pursuing a mesothelioma claim, you may be able to be compensated for the time you’ve needed to take off work or the money you’ve lost from having to stop working altogether.
Support for Loved Ones
The harsh reality is that even when mesothelioma is limited to the lining of the organs, known as the pleura, the survival rate beyond five years is a mere 23%. It drops to just 11% when it has spread to the abdomen, bones, or pleura in other parts of the body.
If your family member has died from mesothelioma, you may be able to seek compensation as a surviving family member. It’s often possible to pursue a wrongful death claim or another compensation type to help with lost financial support, funeral costs, and emotional damages.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s time to seek legal action. Holding a company or individual to account for asbestos exposure may make it possible for you to cover your related costs and take care of your physical health without worrying about your financial health.
Apart from that, if you want to know more about The Importance of a Family Law Solicitor then visit our Family Law category.
