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Posts Tagged ‘mesothelioma attorney’

Is there a value that can be placed on a human life? How much is pain and suffering worth in terms of dollars and cents? Could it be worth millions?

If you or a loved one is suffering with mesothelioma, a disease almost exclusively contracted from exposure to asbestos, they may have a case for pursuing a lawsuit. If they win a favorable verdict or receive a settlement it could be a substantial amount of money.

There is no accurate gauge for measuring the damage this disease can cause to a person and their family. It can be difficult to evaluate exactly the value of a settlement. Each case will have different circumstances and can vary greatly. Also there will be many differences in how these cases are treated from one state to another.

That being said there have been many high settlements with mesothelioma cases in the United States. Some of these very high settlements include the following:

$250 million was awarded, in recent years, to Roby Whittington, a retired US Steel Worker. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2001.

In 2000 a jury awarded a 64 year-old retired worker from the Shell Oil Company $34.1 million. It was in 1998 that he was diagnosed with plueral mesothelioma. It was determined he was exposed to the asbestos fibers when he worked for Shell Oil from 1956-1966.

$33.7 million was awarded to a Navy electrician and his wife in California. The electrician contracted mesothelioma from occupational exposure to asbestos.

$10 million was awarded to a retired 82-year old machinist with mesothelioma in 2005.

One of the earliest mesothelioma cases resulted in a posthumous award in the amount of $80,000 in 1973.

There are many reports of other cases where settlements ranged in the millions of dollars to others that were just in the thousands. Most settlements are not as high as those mentioned. Most settlements will pay for medical expenses, lost wages, expenses incurred during the time of the disease and occasionally something for pain and suffering. But it is not out of the question that a multimillion dollar settlement could happen. The best advice is to consult with an attorney that is a specialist in this type of case.

A good mesothelioma attorney should be able to help you get an idea of what a settlement might look like. Costs covering medical, loss of income and other expenses that can be documented are fairly easy to add up. But putting a price on the value of pain and suffering (non economic damages) can be very subjective and a good mesothelioma lawyer can your best help in soring things out.

Most attorneys will offer a free consultation. Be sure to seek out one that will take on the case with out any upfront cost to you. They will be paid only if they win a settlement. You should also agree upon how much their fee will be out of any settlement before you agree to go forward. Here is a list of good questions you can ask that will help you select a good mesothelioma lawyer texas.

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Who should you consult with if you think you have mesothlioma?

This answer is easy–a doctor and then a lawyer. The right mesothelioma attorney can be a challenge to find and sort through who has the best qualifications. Here is a guide of good questions that will help you find the best mesothelioma lawyer.

Let’s consider the symptoms of mesothelioma

Symptoms of mesothelioma may take years to appear. Shortness of breath and recurring pain in the chest are very common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. These symptoms may occur due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. A few other symptoms of mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. Depending on how far the cancer has spread, more symptoms like pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face may be present.

These symptoms may or may not be caused by mesothelioma. They might be symptoms of something completely. It is important to see a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. A doctor can make a proper diagnosis.

Who is most at risk for developing mesothelioma?

Since the late 1800’s, asbestos has been mined and used commercially. Its use increased greatly during and after World War II. Since the early 1940’s, there have been millions who have been exposed to asbestos fibers. Early on, the dangers associated with exposure to asbestos were not very well known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in the Navy, asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and other construction industries. OSHA has regulations in place today setting limits to how much asbestos exposure a worker can have. People who work with asbestos must wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure, today.

The length of time a worker has been exposed to asbestos will add to the risk. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma.

There are even some reports that family members and others living with asbestos workers have a high risk of developing the disease. It is believed this risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. The chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before they leave the workplace.

A lawyer that specializes in mesothelioma cases is good to consult as you go through this process.

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of many other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A thorough physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. The CT scan provides detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are viewed on a monitor, can be printed and archived for later review.

To confirm an accurate diagnosis of mesotheliomaa biopsy is needed In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a tissue sample for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be performed in different ways. A lot depends on the location of the abnormal area.

If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to how far it has advanced. This will involve more tests in a detailed attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. When the doctor knows the stage of the disease, it will help with proper treatment.

Mesotheloima is a disease that affects the patient and family members in a tragic way. A competent mesothelioma lawyer can be a big help in determining if you have a case for receiving damages for costs and suffering. To help you make a good selection here is a guide to follow that will help in selecting a good mesothelioma lawyer selection.

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