3 Reasons You Need to Talk With a Lawyer About Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Are you facing a mesothelioma diagnosis? You aren’t alone. Here’s what you need to know about pursuing legal action and seeking compensation.
If you spent time working in construction, installing insulation, or even lived in a home that contained asbestos, you may develop a type of cancer called mesothelioma. This cancer can be quite difficult to both treat and diagnosis, primarily because it doesn’t present itself until 10 to 40 years after exposure occurs. This means that even if you worked around asbestos more than a decade ago, it’s still possible to develop symptoms of this illness. When you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important to meet with an asbestos attorney as soon as possible. Here’s why.
1. You aren’t alone
When you’re facing a difficult diagnosis, it’s easy to feel like you are all alone. According to Cancer.net, approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. The symptoms of mesothelioma can closely mimic many other disorders, which makes diagnosing it a challenge. Because mesothelioma is difficult to identify, many patients don’t find out they are suffering from this disease until the cancer has reached a late stage. This can make facing your diagnosis very difficult and stressful. Your attorney understands the sensitive nature of your case and will help ensure it is as low-stress as possible for you.
2. You’re entitled to compensation
Filing a lawsuit after a diagnosis is an important step because it helps ensure you receive compensation. This compensation can help alleviate the burden of medical expenses and care after a diagnosis. Typically, mesothelioma cases can be settled out of court in a timely manner. Your attorney will review your case with you and help you collect documentation to show when you were exposed to asbestos. This can include employment records or home ownership records, as well as other paperwork that backs up your case and shows a judge when you were exposed to asbestos.
3.You’re on the clock
Unlike many legal issues, the statute of limitations for mesothelioma lawsuits does not begin when you are first exposed to asbestos. Instead, the statute of limitations starts when you are first diagnosed by a medical professional. This means that as soon as your doctor diagnoses you with mesothelioma, you need to meet with an attorney. You will have a limited amount of time to pursue legal action in order to get the compensation you are entitled to as a result of your injuries. This time period typically ranges from 1 to 3 years.
When you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may feel a variety of emotions: fear, frustration, anxiety. Seeking legal action can help you to seek restitution for damages and to help with your associated medical expenses. Dealing with a new diagnosis can be stressful, but make sure you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible who can assist you with seeking damages. Call to schedule your initial consultation and to discuss your options with an attorney.