Mesothelioma and Asbestos Attorneys

Mesothelioma is a man-made cancer that is 100% preventable.  Asbestos was used in over 3,000 different products ranging from pipe insulation, turbines, boilers, and valves on ships and refineries to hairdryers, dental products, kid’s toys, and Christmas decorations.  Mesothelioma is one of the most deadly and destructive of the malignant cancers that affect the lungs and upper abdomen.  Virtually 100% of mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos, a lightweight and fireproof mineral that was once extremely common in construction, fireproofing and other uses.  After breathing in the asbestos fibers, the asbestos fibers lurk like a time-bomb in the lungs for 15 to 75 years before turning into a cancerous tumor.  When someone has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the very first question is, “where were you exposed to asbestos?”

Over 100,000 people are believed to die each year because of preventable and unnecessary exposure to asbestos. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos, you may feel powerless to get justice or compensation. This is especially true for victims if a significant amount of time has passed.

An experienced injury lawyer can help you get the full and fair compensation you are owed if you or a loved one developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. We will be ready to discuss your rights and legal options when you call us at Chandler McNulty LLP or reach out online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.

Why Is It Important to Hire a Lawyer?

There are details specific to mesothelioma cases that make claims complicated to pursue. The first is the particularly long latency period; the average time between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis can be anywhere from 15 to 75 years. The other main factor is the relative rarity of the disease. Mesothelioma diagnoses make up roughly 0.3% of the cancer diagnoses in America each year.

Knowledge of the connection between asbestos and disease has been around since at least the 1890s.  The links between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma have been around for 60 years. Despite this, companies have continued to implement asbestos fireproofing or place their workers in contact with the carcinogen for decades. If you or someone close to you is reeling from a recent diagnosis, your best bet is to seek experienced and trial-tested legal counsel as soon as possible.

The right lawyer with specific experience handling mesothelioma claims could make all the difference in getting the full compensation you’re owed, or little to nothing for your claim. With so much on the line, choose an attorney who has a proven track record of success with these specific types of cases.

Why choose Chandler McNulty LLP?

A skilled lawyer can perform an exhaustive independent inquiry and investigation in order to find proof linking asbestos exposure to your diagnosis. At Chandler McNulty LLP, our well-renowned legal team will consult medical experts and use the latest technology to find concrete evidence. We have decades of combined experience gathering pertinent records and evidence that links negligent third parties to the asbestos exposure associated with your diagnosis.

In Texas, the statute of limitations for both personal injury and wrongful death claims is only 2 years after the initial diagnosis of mesothelioma or an asbestos disease like lung cancer or asbestosis. Along with this legally mandated time limit on claims, evidence can disappear or be covered up if too much time passes before an official inquiry. For these reasons, it is always recommended to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after a diagnosis.  Do not delay.  It is crucial to interview the mesothelioma victim and obtain a detailed exposure history.

Mesothelioma: Who is at Risk?

There are a wide variety of jobs and situations through which an individual can be exposed to carcinogenic levels of any of the six minerals that are known as asbestos.  Even jobs in modern offices with companies that involve no construction may expose their workers because they take place in un-renovated buildings constructed using asbestos.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there are over 75 occupational groups that are likely to expose workers to asbestos. Here are just a few of the occupations and situations most likely to expose someone to the levels of asbestos associated with mesothelioma:

• Navy personnel
• Shipworkers
• Pipefitters
• Welders
• Millwrights
• Carpenters
• Auto mechanics
• Boiler workers
• Plumbers
• Construction workers
• Miners
• Insulators
• Plant workers
• HVAC workers
• Textile mill workers
• Power plant workers
• Chemical plant workers
• Shipyard workers
• Railroad workers
• Electricians
• Contractors

Thousands of pieces of equipment contained asbestos. Even teachers, accountants and government office workers at desk jobs have been exposed with enough asbestos to cause cancer.

Mesothelioma is one of the most severe cancers that affect the lungs. For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, the disease will prove fatal. If you have lost a loved one, there is obviously no way to make your grief disappear or bring your loved one back.

However, the compassionate asbestos attorneys at Chandler McNulty LLP are prepared and equipped to handle wrongful death cases and hold the responsible parties accountable for their fatal negligence. Although the loss of the victim cannot be reversed, we can make sure that your family receives a meaningful settlement that provides for their futures and erases any debt from medical costs.

In cases involving the wrongful death of a loved one, the responsible company or individual can also be forced to pay punitive damages to punish them for their role in the illness of the deceased.

Frequently Asked Questions

The stress and turmoil experienced by the individuals and families affected by preventable mesothelioma cannot be overstated. What many do not know is that the law is squarely on the side of the affected parties in such cases. Faced with the rising costs of medical treatment and possible ambiguities as to the source of the exposure, it is easy to be overwhelmed.

The best way to get concrete answers to all of your important questions is to call us at Chandler McNulty LLP and schedule a free and confidential consultation with a member of our legal team today. Here a few of the most common questions posed by those affected by asbestos-related disease:

How can I prove a link between asbestos exposure and my mesothelioma diagnosis?

Proving asbestos exposure and finding the evidence to link it to a cancer diagnosis decades later is rarely simple. Luckily, the legal team at Chandler McNulty LLP has years of experience in proving these cases in courts around the country.

Our attorneys and staff will perform an exhaustive investigation into the records, logs, and construction details of all suspected exposure sources. Our experience with asbestos cases allows us to utilize the latest available technology and our personal relationships with medical, scientific, and industrial experts. We can subpoena records, consult medical professionals, and do the exhaustive investigative legwork necessary to find concrete evidence to be used in court.

What does compensation for mesothelioma come from?

The main source of compensation is from insurance companies.  Over 60 special asbestos trust funds have been set up through court system provide to some compensation for eligible victims.  These trust funds pay between 1% to 100% of their “scheduled” value with the most common amount being close to 25% of the scheduled value.  The least common source of compensation is money directly from the company that profited off of the use of asbestos in the products or at their property.

What kinds of damages could I be eligible to receive compensation for?

While medical bills are what most people think of first, those diagnosed with mesothelioma are often eligible to receive compensation for a wide variety of damages. Our legal team has years of experience bringing such cases to trial and holding employers responsible for their negligence. We also have trial-tested experience securing compensation for every way in which our clients and their families are affected by the disease.

The following are just a few of the types of damages we can help you achieve in your mesothelioma case:

• Lost wages and reduced earning potential in the future
• Current and future medical costs
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
• Physical, emotional, and psychological pain and suffering
• Punitive damages to punish the responsible company and loss of consortium in cases of wrongful death

What are the different types of mesothelioma and what are the most common symptoms?

Although malignant mesothelioma is less common than most other types of cancer, it is very well documented and studied.  Mesothelioma involves a tumor which forms on the mesothelial lining. This lining surrounds the three major organs (the lungs, abdomen, and heart) that form the three most common varieties of the disease. Respectively, these are pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal mesothelioma. Of these, the pleural form affecting the lungs is most common.

The symptoms of the disease depend on the type of mesothelioma that is diagnosed. For each type, the most common symptoms are as follows:

• Pleural Mesothelioma: Shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain, fluid around the lungs, chest pain, and muscle weakness
• Pericardial Mesothelioma: Chest pain, heart murmurs, weakness, fatigue, and other heart-related symptoms
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Stomach pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and fluid buildup known as “ascites.”

Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney Today

If you or someone dear to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, know that the law is on your side and it is possible to receive considerable compensation for your suffering. At Chandler McNulty LLP, our dedicated legal team has built a reputation for winning meaningful compensation for clients injured through the negligence of others. Before deciding whether to file a claim, it is always recommended to seek competent medical treatment and speak with an experienced attorney.

To schedule a free and confidential consultation with a knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney, contact us online or reach out to us at any time at (713) 997-8310.