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2016©SternLaw,PLLC 2
Table of Contents
WHATISMESOTHELIOMA?..................................................................................................................3
WHATISASBESTOS&WHEREWASITPRIMARILYUSED?.....................................................................4
FACTORSTHATINCREASETHERISKOFDEVELOPINGMESOTHELIOMA.................................................5
ASBESTOSANDMESOTHELIOMA.........................................................................................................6
TYPESOFMESOTHELIOMA..................................................................................................................7
PROGNOSIS.........................................................................................................................................8
HOWISMESOTHELIOMADIAGNOSED?...............................................................................................9
WHATAREMYTREATMENTOPTIONS?...............................................................................................10
MESOTHELIOMAEXPOSUREPATHWAYS.............................................................................................11
HIGHRISKJOBSITES,JOBS,&PRODUCTS–ASBESTOSEXPOSUREPATHWAYS....................................12
MESOTHELIOMAVICTIMSHAVELEGALRIGHTS..................................................................................13
QUESTIONSFORYOURASBESTOSATTORNEY.....................................................................................16
FREEMEDICALLEGALREVIEW............................................................................................................18
WHYHIRESTERNLAW,PLLC?.............................................................................................................19
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What is Mesothel ioma? IntheUnitedStates,thereareapproximately3,000newcasesofmesotheliomadiagnosedeachyear.Mesothelioma isanaggressiveandrareformofcancerthatcanattackthe liningof thelungs, heart, and/or abdomen. Caused primarily by ongoing and continuous exposure toasbestos,thediseaseismainlydiagnosedinolderindividualswhoworkedorregularlycameincontactwithasbestosinanindustrialsettingsuchasinafactoryorship.Ifyouoralovedonewasexposedtoasbestosanddevelopedmesotheliomaoranyothertypeofasbestos-relateddiseaseasaresult,youmayhavelegalrights.AtSternLaw,PLLC,ourteamof seasoned asbestos exposure attorneys provide compassionate yet zealous advocacy forthosewhohavebeeninjuredduetoasbestos.Tolearnmoreaboutyourlegaloptions,call(844)808-7529nowtoscheduleyourfreeconsultation.Welookforwardtofightingforyourrighttoreceivethecompensationyoudeserveforyourinjuries.
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What is Asbestos & Where Was it Primari ly Used? Toutedforitsheatandfireresistantproperties,asbestosisagroupofmineralsthatformasabundle of fibers. There are twomain types of asbestos - chrysotile and amphibole asbestos.Chrysotile asbestos, also referred to as “white asbestos,” is themost common spiral shapedformofasbestosusedinindustrialsettings.Conversely,amphiboleasbestoscontainsstraightandneedle-likefibers,andwaslessusedduetoitsbrittleandinflexiblenature.Mined and used commercially in the United States since the late 1800s, asbestos has beenincorporatedintoavarietyofdifferentproductsandapplications,including,withoutlimitation,insulation, roofing, sound absorption, fireproofing, brake and clutch pads, caulk, gaskets,boilers,hairdryers,ceilingandfloortiles,paints,coatings,adhesives,andplastics.
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Factors that Increase the Risk of Developing Mesothel ioma Thereare several factors that increaseone’s riskofdevelopingmesotheliomaor someothertypeofasbestos-relatedcondition,suchas:
• Dose–thisrepresentstheamountthatanindividualwasexposedtoasbestos.
• Duration–thisistheamountoftimethattheindividualwasexposedtoasbestos.
• Thesize,shape,andtypeofasbestosfiber–whileeachtypeofasbestosishazardous,somefibersareassociatedwithcertainhealthrisks.Forinstance,chrysotileasbestosismore likely to causemesothelioma than other types of asbestos because it tends toremaininthelungsforalongertimeperiod.
• The exposure source – peoplewho are regularly exposed to airborne asbestos in an
industrial facilitymay have a greater chance of developingmesothelioma than thosewhohandledcontainedandnon-airborneasbestos.
• Theindividual’shealthstatus&lifestyle– ifapersonisaheavysmokerand/orhasa
pre-existinglungdisease,thesemayincreaseone’sriskofdevelopingmesothelioma.
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Asbestos and Mesothel ioma AsbestoshasbeenclassifiedbytheUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyasaknownhumancarcinogen. Peoplewereprimarilyexposed toasbestos in theworkplace,butalso intheircommunitiesandhomes.Ifcertainasbestos-containingproductsaredisturbed,tinyfiberscanbereleasedintotheair,resultinginaccidentalinhalationand/oringestion.Thiscanleadtofibersbecomingtrappedinthelungsand/ormigratingtootherpartsofthebody,includingtheheartandabdominalwall.Overtime(thelatencyperiodistypicallybetween10and50yearsafter exposure), fibers can accumulate, form scar tissue, and lead to malignant melanoma,whichformslife-threateningtumors.
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Types of Mesothel ioma Therearethreetypesofmesothelioma:pleuralmesothelioma,peritonealmesothelioma,andpericardialmesothelioma,allofwhicharefurtherdescribedasfollows:
• Pleuralmesothelioma–pleuralmesotheliomaisthemostcommonofthethreetypesof the disease with nearly 2,500 new cases diagnosed per year. Specifically, pleuralmesotheliomaattacksthelining,orpleura,ofthelungs,andaccountsforroughly80%ofallmesotheliomacases. Whenan individualhasbeenheavilyexposed toasbestosovera longtimeperiod(i.e.,has inhaledasbestos leadingtoasbestosfibersbecomingembedded in the pleura), it can lead to chronic inflammation, scar tissue, and mayultimately cause tumors to form in the lungs. Symptoms of pleural mesotheliomainclude chest or lower back pain, a persistent cough, coughing up blood, troubleswallowing, shortness of breath, fluid buildup around the lungs, hoarseness, difficultytalking,andbloodclots.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma – peritoneal mesothelioma is a rarer form of cancer, withabout 500 new cases diagnosed per year in the United States. This type ofmesothelioma affects the abdominal lining, or peritoneum, and accounts forapproximately 20% of all mesothelioma cases. Due to its location, peritonealmesothelioma is sometimes referred to as abdominal mesothelioma. Researchersbelieve that after continuous andongoing exposure to asbestos, the fibers first enterthe lungs and then travel to the abdominal cavity via the lymphatic system. Furthertheoriespositthatperitonealmesotheliomacanalsodevelopintheeventthatasbestosisaccidentallyingestedduetoregularlyworkingwiththesubstance.Symptomsofthisdiseaseincludeabdominalpain,abdominalswelling,difficultybreathing,lossofappetiteand/orweightloss,weakness,fever,anemia,nauseaandvomiting.
• Pericardial mesothelioma – the least common type of mesothelioma, this disease
developsinthelining,orpericardium,oftheheart,andaccountsforlessthan50casesdiagnosedperyearintheUnitedStates.Unlikepleuralandperitonealmesothelioma,itis unclear as to how asbestos fibers reach the pericardium. Often mimicking otherdiseases,pericardialmesotheliomacausesthefollowingsymptoms:cough,shortnessofbreath,chestpain,heartmurmurs, fatigue, fluidbuilduparoundtheheart,swellingofthe extremities, heart arrhythmias, a more prominent jugular vein, and accentuatedvarianceinthepulseduringrespiration.
For all of the above forms of mesothelioma, symptoms of the disease can start anywherebetween 10 and 50 years after exposure to asbestos and depends upon several factors,includingthetypeandlevelofone’sexposure.
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Prognosis One’sprognosistypicallydependsonanumberofdifferentfactorsincluding:
• The stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis – undoubtedly, those who arediagnosed early have the greatest chances of survival, as they havemore treatmentoptionsandabetteroutlook.
• The specific type of mesothelioma – as noted above, mesothelioma can affect thelungs,abdominalwallandheart.Dependingonthespecificlocationofmesotheliomainaddition to the cells involved (whether epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and biphasic), thesealtogether affect a person’s prognosis. Typically, those who are diagnosed withperitonealmesothelioma have amore favorable prognosis than those suffering frompleuralorpericardialmesothelioma.
• The person’s age and overall health – for those who are younger and have been
diagnosedwithmesothelioma,havingahealthy lifestylegivesyouagreaterchanceofsuccessthanthosewhoareolderandinpoorhealth.
Whilemesotheliomapatientstypicallyliveonlyonetotwoyearsafterbeingdiagnosed,recentresearch and advancements in medicine have led to progress in terms of earlier detection,diagnosis, and a variety of different treatment options. Although mesothelioma can be achallengingdiagnosis, there ishope. Don’t fightcanceraloneandwithout thecompensationyoudeserveforyourinjuries.ContactSternLaw,PLLCtoreceivetheskilledandcompassionatelegalrepresentationyouneed.
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How is Mesothel ioma Diagnosed? Asnoted,detectingmesotheliomacanbechallengedduetothefactthatitoftenmimicsother,morecommonailments.Ingeneral,mesotheliomacanbediagnosedasfollows:
• Imaging – imaging studiesprovide critical information that canhelpmakeor ruleoutthediagnosisofmesothelioma.TheseincludeX-rays,CTscans,MRIs,andPETscans.
• Blood tests– thereare threemesotheliomabiomarkers (mesomark,osteopontin,andFibulin-3)thatmaybedetectedbyasimplebloodtest. Whilebloodtestsarenottheonlymethodfordiagnosingmesothelioma,theycanprovideusefulinformationandmaybepartofthemesotheliomadiagnosticworkup.
• Biopsies – a biopsy is the single most reliable method for detecting mesothelioma.
Thereareseveraldifferenttypesofbiopsiesthatdependuponthesuspectedlocationofthecancer.Yourhealthcareprofessionalwillbeabletodeterminewhichtypeofbiopsyisnecessarydependingonwhereheorshefeelsthediseasemaybelocated.
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What are My Treatment Options? Onceyouarediagnosedwithmesotheliomaandit isestablishedwherethediseaseis locatedwithinyourbody,yourdoctorcandevelopaplanoftreatmentspecificallytailoredtoaddressyourcondition.Overall,yourtreatmentoptionsdependuponhowadvancedyourconditionis,as the sooner you detect mesothelioma and start treatment, the greater your chances ofsuccess. Accordingly, the following is a list of the most common treatment options formesothelioma:
• Surgery – surgery can be a life-saving treatment option, as there are a variety ofdifferent surgical techniques that can be life extending or, in some cases, curative.Moreover,surgerycanalsobeusedforpainrelieforfordiagnosticpurposes.Inanyofthese instances, recovery can last several weeks and may be combined with othertreatmentoptions.
• Chemotherapy – chemotherapy is a treatment option formesothelioma victims of allstages.Meaning,forthoseintheearlierstages,orforindividualswithadvancedformsof the disease, chemotherapy can be an effective treatment. Chemotherapy is oftencombinedwithotherformsoftreatmenttogivesomeonethemostfightingchancesofsurvival.
• Radiation–radiationtherapycanbeusedbeforeoraftersurgerytohelpshrinkthesize
oftumorsandkillanyremainingcancercellsinthebody.Likeothertreatmentoptions,radiation isoftencombinedwithadditional techniquestohelpenhanceone’schancesofsurvival.
• Multimodal treatment – multimodal treatment involves aggressive surgical options
combined with other methods such as chemotherapy and radiation, which oftenincreasethelifeexpectancyofmesotheliomavictims.
• Clinicaltrials–theseofferpatientsaccesstonewandemergingformsoftreatmentsuch
asimmunotherapy,genetherapy,andphotodynamictherapy.
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Mesothel ioma Exposure Pathways Whileasbestosistheprovencauseofthedisease,thereareseveralpathsofexposurethatleadtoamesotheliomadiagnosis.Theseareasfollows:
• Occupationalexposure – themost common formofexposure,occupationalexposurerelates to those working in industrial settings who came into contact with asbestos-containingmaterials.Occupationssuchasshipyardworkers,thosewhoworkedforthemilitary, constructions workers, chemical and power plant workers, insulators, boilerroomworkersandautomechanicsareassociatedwiththemostprevalentoccurrencesofasbestosexposure.
• Secondhand exposure – secondhand exposure refers to a type of exposure whereinthose working with asbestos would inadvertently expose people in their home. Forexample,manywivesofmenwhoworkedwithasbestoshavecontractedmesotheliomaduetolaunderingtheirspouse’sworkclothesthatwerecoveredwithasbestos.
• Environmentalexposure–asbestosisanaturallyoccurringmineral.Assuch,thosewho
residenear largedeposits of asbestos (such asmines) canbeexposed throughwaterrun-offandminingactivities.Whilerare,thiscanbeadeadlyformofexposure.
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High Risk Job Sites, Jobs, & Products – Asbestos Exposure Pathways Exposure can occur in many different ways and in a variety of settings, with certain jobs,productsandworksitesthatareassociatedwithaparticularlyhighriskofexposure.Theseareasfollows:
• HighRiskJobSites–whileasbestosexposurecouldhaveoccurredataverityofdifferenttypesofjobsites,thosethatusedthemineralinproductsandfacilitiesweremostatriskforexposure.Theseare:
o Military sites –many veteranswereexposed to asbestoswhile in themilitary,particularlyonbattleships,aircraftcarriers,cruisers,submarines,destroyers,andfrigates.
o Industrialfacilities–placessuchasshipyards,powerplants,metalworksshops,chemicalplants,constructionsites,andoilrefinerieswereoftenassociatedwiththeuseofasbestos.
• Occupations associated with the heavy use of asbestos – unfortunately, military and
non-militaryworkersof all tradesmayhavebeenexposed toasbestoson the jobsite.Those most at risk were drywall tapers, electricians, firefights, car mechanics, boilerroomworkers,andconstructionworkers.
• Common asbestos-containing products – thousands of products were manufacturedusingasbestos,asthematerialwastoutedforitsfireandheatresistantproperties.Themost commonproductswhere asbestos could be foundwas insulation, drywall, floorandceilingtiles,caulk,cement,paint,andpipegaskets.
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Mesothel ioma Vict ims Have Legal Rights Whenyouarediagnosedwithmesothelioma,youneedtoworkwithyourdoctortodevelopatreatmentplanandstartcareimmediatelytoincreaseyourchancesofsurvival.Onceyouhavetaken these critical steps, you should then speak with an experienced asbestos exposureattorney. AtSternLaw,PLLC,oneofourskilledasbestosexposureattorneyswillreviewyourcase,determineyoursourcesofexposure,andifyouhaveaviablecase,provideyouwithalistoflegalrightsandoptions,whichmayinclude,forexample,thefollowing:FilingaLawsuitIffilingalawsuitistherightoptionforyou(orifqualifyingsurvivingfamilymembersfeelthatawrongful death suit iswarranted), your attorneywill assist you throughout each part of thelitigationprocess.Whileeverycaseisdifferentandthereisnoguaranteeastotheiroutcome,thereareanumberofstepsinvolvedinpursuinglitigation,whichmeansthattheprocessmaytakealongertimethansimplysettlingorfilingatrustfundclaim.Moreover,litigationinvolvesa certain amount of risk, as theoutcomeof the case depends upon a judge and jury,whichcouldbeswayedatanytime.Forthemostpart,mesotheliomalitigationinvolvesthefollowing:
• Preparation–yourattorneywillcompileimportantinformationrelatedtoyoursourcesofasbestosexposureand illness,anddeterminewho is responsible forhavingcausedyour condition. This maymean that you file a number of different claims against anumberofresponsibleparties.
• Filing–onceyourcaseisprepared,yourattorneywillfileawrittencomplaintwiththe
courtofyourjurisdiction.Keepinmindthateachstatehascertainrequirementsaboutthetimingoffilingalawsuit(knownasthestatuteoflimitations),andthisissomethingyourattorneywillexplaintoyouwhenyoumeetinyourinitialconsultation.Moreover,itmaytakesometimetodeterminealloftheresponsiblepartiesinvolvedinyourcasebeforeacomplaintcanbefiled.
• Responses–eachdefendantinyourcasewillreceiveacopyofyourcomplaintandhave
achancetofilearesponse.Bepreparedforeachdefendanttodenyresponsibilityforcausing your condition and to vigorously defend themselves. Don’t worry, as this isnormalanda commonpractice. Yourattorneywillhandle this fullyby responding toeachdefendantinacalculatedandstrategicmanner.
• Discovery–duringthistime,attorneysonbothsidesofthecasewillgatheradditional
informationaboutyourclaim.Thismayincludedraftingandrespondingtodepositions,interrogatories(writtenquestions)andrequesting/producingcertaindocuments. Yourattorneywillbebyyoursideguidingandadvisingyouduringthisprocess.
• Settlement – as described more fully below, a settlement may be offered by the
defendant(s) to resolve the case without having to go to trial. If you decline thesettlementaboutofferedasbeingtooloworinappropriate,itisquitepossiblethatthedefendant(s) will offer you a settlement amount again during the trial phase of yourcase.Yourattorneywillbewellpositionedtonegotiateapropersettlementamountonyourbehalf.
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• Trial–thisprocessdependsuponwhereyouchoosetofileyourcase.Oftentimes,itis
notnecessary foryou tohave toappear incourt. Ifyouprevailand thedefendant(s)does/do not appeal, you will likely start receiving payments within a few monthsfollowingthetrial.
• Appeal–Ifyouwinyourtrialbutthedefendant(s)appeal(s),thereisalimitedwindow
oftimewithwhichtofilesame,usuallybetween30and180days.Thiswilldelayyourrighttoreceivepayments.Iftheappealisgrantedandthedefendant(s)prevail(s),youwilllikelyreceivelittletonomoney.
SettlingYourCaseAs noted above, you have to file a claim against a responsible party ormultiple responsibleparties before you can reach a settlement. Some defendants wishing to avoid litigationaltogetherchoosetoofferasettlementatthebeginningofone’scase,whichmeansthatyouwill not have to go to court. If the amount is sufficient in light of your individual set ofcircumstances,acceptingtheoffermaysavetimeandmoney,especiallyforthosewhohavealifeexpectancyoftwoyearsorlessasaresultoftheirasbestos-relatedillness.Anexperiencedattorneywill reviewwithyou thestrengthsofyourcaseandhelpyou todeterminewhethersettlingyourcase,filingatrustfundclaim,orseekingaverdictismoreappropriate.FilingaClaimforTrustFundsOver seventy former asbestos companies have filed for bankruptcy in order to avoid furtherlawsuits.However,theU.S.governingrequiredthesecorporationstocreatetrustfundswithasufficient amount of money to pay out current and future legal claims to those injured byasbestos. Filing a trust fund claim may be the quickest way to receive money, which isespecially helpful to thosewho are at an advanced stage of illness however, itmay be lessmoneythanifyoufilealawsuitorseekalegalsettlement.Yourattorneycanreviewwithyouwhetherfilingatrustfundclaimisrightforyou.FilingforVeteransAdministration(VA)BenefitsWhileveteranscannotsuethemilitary/U.S.governmentforhavingbeenexposedtoasbestosand becoming ill as a result, they can pursue a claim against asbestos and productmanufacturersbychoosinganyoneof theaboveoptions. Additionally,militaryveteranscanapplyforbenefitswiththeVAsuchashealthcareanddisability.Survivingspousesandchildrenofdeceasedveteranswhodiedasaresultofanasbestos-exposurerelatedillnesscanalsoapplyforaDependencyandIndemnityCompensation(DIC)benefit,which ispaidoutonamonthlybasis.
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AsbestosBankruptcyTrusts
SinceJohnsManvillefiledforbankruptcyin1988andestablishedasettlementtrust,morethan60 companieshave followed suit.Under federal law,oncea company files forbankruptcy, itcannotbesuedincivilcourt.Thiscircumstancebothreducesthepotentialpoolofcompaniesamesothelioma victim can sue and raises numerous procedural and evidentiary hurdles. Thisprotectiondoesnotabsolutelybarrecoveryfromthebankruptcompany,however.
Before an asbestos company can emerge from bankruptcy and, if still viable, resumeoperations,thebankruptcycourtsmandatethatcompanycreate,fundandmanageatrustfundcapableoffullycompensatingindividualswhowereexposedtoitsproductsandwhodevelopanasbestos-relateddisease.Presently,morethan60asbestoscompaniesfiledforbankruptcy.Pursuanttothecourtmandate,theyhavecollectivelysetasideintheirPlansnearly$40billionintrustfundassetstocompensateasbestosvictims.RecoveringfromanAsbestosBankruptcyTrust
Filingaclaimagainstoneormoreof theasbestosbankruptcytrusts isareliable,dependablealternativetofilinga lawsuit.Torecoverfromatrust fund,aclaimantmustsubmitaverifiedclaim form to the Plan’s Trustee with documentation supporting three fundamental facts,specifically:(i)affirmationfromadoctorofhisorherdiagnosisofmesothelioma;(ii)evidenceofsiteexposuretothebankrupt’sproduct;and(iii)aqualifiedexpertopinionthattheexposuretothebankrupt’sproductcontributedtotheclaimant’sdevelopmentofmesothelioma.Claimsthatdonotprovideadequatesupportforoneormoreoftheseelementswillberejected.
TheAmountofaRecoveryfromanAsbestosBankruptcyTrust
ThecompensationtheTrusteeawardsaclaimantdependsupontheseverityoftheillnessandhowmany futureclaims theTrusteeexpects tobe filedagainst the fund.TheTrusteemakesthose decisions based on the validity of the claim and the medical evidence of severity.Typically,theTrusteereliesonamatrixorschedulesetoutinthePlan.AttorneysforclaimantsoftencommunicatewithTrusteesregardinganappropriateamountofcompensationfortheirclients.IftheTrusteehasconcernsaboutwhetherthetrusthassufficientfundstocoverfutureclaims,hemayawardonlyapercentageofthescheduledamount,andreservethebalanceforfuturedistributionasthetimeforprocessingclaimswindsdown.
There isno restrictionon thenumberof trust fundsagainstwhichaclaimantcan fileclaims.Theonlylimitationisthattheclaimantcanonlysubmitandrecoverfromanyfundifheproffersevidencethatsatisfieseachofthethreefundamentalelements.
Theclaimantcanuse funds tocoveringmedicalbillsandhiscostsof livingandtosecure thefuture for his family. While this compensation may not reverse the course of this terribledisease,itcanrelievemuchoftheanxiety.Allclaimsareprocessedinorderofreceiptsotimeisoftheessence.
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Questions for Your Asbestos Attorney Asbestos related laws and litigation can be complex, requiring the assistance of a qualifiedmesotheliomalawyer.Whilemeetingwithanattorneyishighlyrecommendedinordertolearnmoreaboutyouroptionsinlightofyourindividualcase,itisalsocriticaltobeaseducatedaspossiblewhenseeking legalaction. Assuch,wehavecompileda listofquestionsmostoftenaskedofourattorneys inordertoprepareyouforwhenyoumeetwithyourattorney. Notethatthefollowing isnotasubstitutefor legaladvice. Forspecificquestionsorconcerns, it isrecommendedthatyoucontactSternLaw,PLLCtodaytospeakwithoneofourcompassionateasbestosexposurelawyers.
1) WhenshouldIhireanattorney?Whilehiringanattorneyisnotmandatory,itishighlyrecommendedsincethetimeforfilinga legal action is limited. Moreover, it can take time to research the details that arenecessarytobuildaneffectivecaseonyourbehalf. Therefore,werecommendthatonceyouhave securedmedical treatment, that you contact Stern Law,PLLC right away to getyourcasestarted.
2) Ilostmyspousetomesotheliomaawhileago.CanIstillfilealawsuit?This depends. As noted above, there are time limitations (also called the statute oflimitations) that dictate how long you have to file a legal claim. While each state isdifferent,thestatuteoflimitationsformesotheliomacasescanrangefromonetosixyears,dependinguponwhereyouchoosetosubmityourclaim.Additionally,somestatesimposedifferent deadlines for certain personal injury claims, including wrongful death actions.Evenifthestatuteoflimitationshaspassedonyourcase,youmaystillhaveenoughtimetoreceivefinancialrestitutionthroughasbestostrustfunds,Veteran’sAdministrationbenefits,ifyouwereinthemilitary,orworkers’compensationbenefits.Tobetterunderstandallofyouroptions,don’twait-contactSternLaw,PLLCimmediatelytolearnmore.3) IamnotsurehoworwhereIwasexposedtoasbestos.DoIstillhaveaviableclaim?
While it depends,most often a seasonedmesotheliomaattorney canhelp you to reviewyour personal history to determine a likely source of your exposure. He or she willdefinitelyaskyousuchquestionsas towhereyou lived,worked,attendedschool,and/ortravelled,whetheryouservedinthemilitary,andotherrelatedinquiries.
4) What if I have neverworked for an asbestos company but I was still diagnosedwith
mesothelioma?
Exposure to asbestos can occur at many different places, including at home, school, amining or manufacturing facility, or via natural occurring asbestos deposits in theenvironment.Theonlyknowncauseofmesotheliomaisasbestosexposure,andifyouwerediagnosed with this disease, there must have been some type of asbestos exposurepathwaythatoccurredinyourlifetime.Alawyerinexperienceinthesetypesofcasescanhelp you to determinewhen andwhere youwere diagnosed, increasing your chances ofbeingcompensatedfortheharmyousustained.
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5) Thecompanythatcausedmymesotheliomaisnowbankrupt.DoIstillhaveachanceto
becompensatedformyillness?
Theansweris,itdepends,however,thegoodnewsisthattheU.S.bankruptcycourtsnowrequire certain companies to set up asbestos bankruptcy trust funds to compensateindividualsforgettingmesothelioma.Thepurposeofthese“asbestostrusts”istopaybothcurrentand futureclaimsthatarebroughtagainst thesecompanies. Currently, thereareaboutsixtyfundsthathavebeenestablishedtopayonclaimsformesotheliomaandotherasbestos-related illnesses. Importantly,each trusthas itsownsetof requirements foranindividual to receive compensation, which is why it is critical to hire an attorneyexperienced in negotiatingwith these trusts. Contact a qualified attorney at Stern Law,PLLCtodeterminewhetherfilingaclaimwithanasbestostrustisthebestcourseofactioninyourcase.
6) ShouldIsettlemycase?Or,shouldIgototrial?Makingthisdeterminationdependsonyourindividualsetofcircumstances.Forinstance,inacasewhereapersonwasrecentlydiagnosedwithmesotheliomaandthediseasehasnotprogressed to advanced stages, he or shemay havemore time to pursue a lawsuit thanotherswhoareinStagesIIIorIVofthedisease.However,lawsuitscanberisky,asthereisno guarantee of success given the fact that the case is determined by a judge and jury.Settling may also be a viable option however, defendants often propose low monetaryamounts hoping they can make the case go away. Accepting such settlement withoutspeaking with an attorney is not recommended, as a qualified lawyer can help you tonegotiateforthefullestamountofcompensationpossible.Whetheryoushouldsettle,goto trial, or even pursue trust fund money is something you should discuss with yourattorney,andheorshecanhelpyoutomakethebestdecisionspossibleinyourcase.
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Free Medical Legal Review
Mesotheliomaisarareandvirulentformofcancerthatattackstheliningofthelung,abdomen,heartortesticles.Mesotheliomaiscausedbybreathingmicroscopicasbestosfibers.Itcantakebetween 15 and 50 years to develop after exposure. Althoughmanufacturers and sellers ofasbestos-containing products knew about the risk of developing mesothelioma and otherasbestos-relatedconditions fromexposure to theirproducts, they failed toprovideadequatewarnings to thosewho used orworked around them. Mesothelioma is almost always fatal.Thereisnocertaincure.Bythetimeadoctordiagnosesit,thecancerhastypicallyreachedanadvancedstage.
YouMayBeEntitledToSubstantialCompensation
If you or a loved one has been diagnosedwithmesothelioma, you are an emotionalwreck,confused, frightened, adrift. You facemountingmedical bills, a dwindling bank account andwonder how youwill possiblymanage. Youmay be entitled to substantial compensation foryour pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. Hiring an experienced, caringmesothelioma lawyer is one of the most important step you can take to manage theseproblemsandrecoverforyourlosses.
HireAnExperiencedMesotheliomaAttorney
Ifthisisthefirsttimethatyouhaveneededtohireanattorney,youshouldknowthatnoteveryattorney has the necessary skills to handle an asbestos or mesothelioma case. This area ofpracticeisextremelycomplexandrequiresathoroughunderstandingoftheasbestosindustry,exposuretoasbestos,andhowasbestoscausesseriousinjury.Onlythosewhopossesstherighttools and experience can help you deal with the complexities of your case and win faircompensationforyourasbestos-relatedillness.ThelawyersatSternLaw,PLLCareaggressive,compassionateadvocatesforourclients.Weareheretoserveyourneeds.Free,No-CostConsultation
There is no cost to speak with us. During your free legal consultation, we’ll answer yourquestionsandprovideclearadviceonthenextstepstotake.Inadditiontoafreeconsultation,SternLaw,PLLCworksonyourcaseacontingency-feebasis.Weonlygetpaid if youoryourfamilyreceivescompensation.We’llexplainyourrights,tellyouyouroptionsandevaluateyourcasefreeofcharge.
ContactSternLaw,PLLCToday
AtSternLaw,PPLCweappreciatehowdifficultadiagnosisofmesotheliomacanbe.Everythingwe do is intended to improve the lives of our clients and to ensure that their rights areprotected.Ourlawyersofferahighlevelofserviceandemotionalsupportthatyoucannotfindanywhereelse.Fordecades,wehavesuccessfullyrepresentedothermesotheliomavictimsandwant to help you as you deal with this devastating cancer. To schedule a free consultation,contact us at (844) 808-7529 to learnmore about available legal rights andoptions.We arereadytomakeadifference,sodon’twait-pickupthephoneandcallus.
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Why Hire Stern Law, PLLC?
Hiring a lawyer is serious business. There are many attorneys and law firms competing torepresent victims of mesothelioma or other asbestos related diseases. For something asimportantasamesotheliomacase,yourattorneyshouldnotonlybeskilled,heorsheshouldalsobecompassionateandabletoappreciatethecomplexitiesthatmesotheliomapresentsinyourlife. Inessence,thebest lawyersarethosewhoarenotonlyseasonedatwhattheydo,butarealsocaring,dedicatedandempathetic.Theirabilitytounderstandandappreciatetheunique facts of your situationwill have a dramatic impact in the outcomeofwhatever legalcourseyouchoosetotake.Itis,therefore,criticalthatyoumakeyourchoiceofwhichattorneytoengagecarefully.
ProvenAsbestosRelatedDiseaseandMesotheliomaAttorneys
Ifthisisthefirsttimethatyouhaveneededtohireanattorney,youshouldknowthatnoteveryattorneyhasthenecessaryskillstohandleacaseinvolvingmesotheliomaoranyotherasbestosrelated disease. This area of practice is extremely complex and requires a thoroughunderstanding of the asbestos industry, exposure to asbestos, how asbestos causes seriousinjury,andhow ithasaffectedyouandyour family.Aqualifiedmesotheliomaattorneymustpossessthenecessaryskilltoinvestigateandidentifywhoisatfaultforcausingyourcancerandwhetherthoseentitiescanbesued.Mesotheliomaattorneysmustalsopossessthenecessarytraining to understand and appreciate complex medical issues and available mesotheliomatreatments.Mostofallhemustpossessthenecessarycourtroomskillstotellyourstorytoajuryofyourpeers,ortoatrusteeofanasbestosbankruptcytrustandtopersuadethemthatyouareentitledtosubstantialcompensation.Onlythoseattorneyswhopossesstherighttoolsandexperiencecanhelpyoudealwith thecomplexitiesofamesotheliomacaseandwin faircompensation.
TraditionofServiceandHistoryofSuccess
Nothing about the lawyers at Stern Law, PLLC is average. Our attorneys represent clientsthroughouttheU.S.whosufferfrommesotheliomaorotherasbestos-relateddiseases.Victimsincludemenwhoworked in factories, steelmills,powerplants, construction sites, shipyards,automobile and brake garages, train yards, and many other places where individuals wereexposedtoasbestos.Wehavealsorepresentedindividualswhohavedevelopedmesotheliomafromasbestosfibersbroughthomeontheclothingorinthecarsoffamilymembersexposedtoasbestos. Our attorneys have the experience and skills necessary to hold asbestosmanufacturers,distributorsandinstallersliableforcausingyourmesothelioma.
Ourpracticeisfoundedonatraditionofserviceandaprovenhistoryofsuccess.Formorethan30years,wehavebeenprovidingcompassionatelegalsupporttovictimsofmesotheliomaandother asbestos related diseases. We have consistently delivered successful results. Byaggressively pursuingour clients' claims, our firmhas recoverednumerous large settlementsandrecoveries.
Mesothelioma victims face a grim future. Few treatment options have proven effective inreversingthecourseofthisdevastatingcancer.Timeisoftheessencetoyouandyourfamily.Asyourattorneys,wewillundertakeeveryavenuethelawaffordsvictimstoensurethattheirlovedonesare takencareof. Yourmostbasic right is theopportunity tohold thoseentities
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who are responsible for causing your cancer accountable and to obtain substantialcompensation for your losses. Our job is to confirm that you have a claim, to research andidentifythepartiesresponsible,andtocommenceandaggressivelypursuelegalactionagainstthem.Thereareseveraldirectionsyoucantaketodoso,includingfilingalawsuit,filingclaimswith various asbestos bankruptcy trust funds and filing a claim with the Veterans’Administrationifyouwereexposedwhileservingonactivedutyinthemilitary.Wewillworkwithyou indecidingwhat isbest foryouandyourfamilyandthenworkhardonyourbehalfuntilyouandyourfamilymembersarejustlycompensated.
ContactSternLaw,PLLCToday
AtSternLaw,PPLCweappreciatehowdifficultadiagnosisofmesotheliomacanbe.Everythingwe do is intended to improve the lives of our clients and to ensure that their rights areprotected.Ourlawyersofferahighlevelofserviceandemotionalsupportthatyoucannotfindanywhereelse.Fordecades,wehavesuccessfullyrepresentedothermesotheliomavictimsandwanttohelpyouasyoudealwiththisdisease.Toscheduleafreeconsultation,contactusat(844)808-7529tolearnmoreaboutavailablelegalrightsandoptions.Youandyourlovedonesmaybeentitledtosignificantcompensation.Wearereadytomakeadifference,sodon’twait-pickupthephoneandcallus.SternLaw,PLLC41850W.ElevenMileRd.,Ste.121Novi,MI48375Toll-Free:(844)808-7529Fax:(248)305-3250http://yourlegaljustice.com
