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Why Protect Your Rights


Asbestos companies had knowledge of the dangers of Asbestos, but used it anyway.

It has well been proven that the sole cause of Mesothelioma is asbestos, unlike many other forms of cancer which may have numerous causal factors. A person can be - and often was in the past - exposed unknowingly to asbestos while working in their trade or profession. Some people were exposed to asbestos dust in a social environment such as their home or school.

While many people are initially hesitant to pursue a legal action, we strongly urge them to do pursue their legal options. Many of the asbestos companies knew of the hazards of asbestos as far back as the 1930s and 1940s, yet failed to take the necessary precautions to notify or protect workers for decades.

A volume of evidence documenting the negligence of these companies exists including: medical literature; records from trade associations; internal corporate documents/memorandum; testimony of company employees; (de)classified military records; and other incriminating documents which evidence corporate knowledge of the hazards of asbestos.

Despite such knowledge of the harms of asbestos and the awareness that asbestos could cause irreparable lung damage, these companies failed to protect or notify workers until the late 1970s/early 1980s of the dangers of asbestos. Until this point, however, many asbestos manufacturers actively conspired to keep knowledge of the hazards of asbestos a secret. Moreover, it was not until a prompting by the federal government in the late-1970s that many of the asbestos companies addressed the health concerns related to asbestos exposure.

Treatment for Mesothelioma is Expensive

Receiving a diagnosis of Mesothelioma is difficult and overwhelming for loved ones, requiring immediate decisions related to medical care and treatment. Compounding this anxiety, however, are financial concerns related to medical care. More specifically, will private insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, and VA, etc. cover the necessary costs of medical care and treatment.

Conventional treatment for Mesothelioma includes surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. Experimental therapies include Gene therapy, Multimodality Therapy, Immunotherapy and/or Photodynamic Therapy. There are also various holistic or alternative medicine treatments to consider. Whatever treatment is pursued, however, the medical costs and related expenses (air travel; hospital parking; meals; lodging; co-pays; dietary restrictions/requirements; etc.) can be quite high. Repeated hospital stays, scans, x-rays, blood work, etc. may be required as medical care progresses. Temporary/permanent nursing care may become needed at some point in the future. Medical equipment (hospital bed, wheelchair, oxygen, walker, etc.) may need to be purchased to modify the home for safety reasons.

As costs for medical care and treatment continue to rise nationally, insurers are now limiting or rejecting what is deemed a “covered expense,” however. As a result, treating doctors are limited in terms of the medical care and treatment options they provide to those suffering from Mesothelioma. Generic medication is being dispensed in lieu of brand-name medication to save on insurance costs. Moreover, follow-up medical testing (PET scans, etc.) are done with less frequency to save on insurance costs.

Exercising your legal right to compensation can help defray the costs associated with mesothelioma treatment. Those diagnosed with mesothelioma should receive the very best medical care and attention. Cost should not be a factor in determining what care is received.

Protect Your Loved Ones

Once a diagnosis of Mesothelioma is rendered by a treating doctor, Mesothelioma patients and their families suffer greatly and experience on-going loss, both economic and non-economic. Economic loss includes the financial damages from the illness (cost of medical care and treatment, lost wages, loss of household services, and other miscellaneous expenses). Non-economic loss can include loss of love, companionship, enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and anxiety/stress.

Pursuing a legal claim can alleviate many of the financial burdens related to medical bills, loss of income and present financial obligations. Additionally, lawsuit settlement proceeds can be used to provide financial security for loved ones (a spouse, child, grandchild, etc.) in the future. By pursuing a legal claim, you can protect your family from being strapped with future financial burdens.

Settlement funds received from pursuing a legal claim can impact greatly on the degree of medical care and services received and allow for the very best treatment. Moreover, settlement funds can allow you and your family to maintain your current lifestyle (i.e. mortgage/rent, car payment, living expenses, etc.). Most significantly, settlement funds can provide a sense of financial security for your family by ensuring that they will be financially stable in the future.

Seek Quality Legal Representation

If you do commit to pursuing a legal claim, you should select a law firm that is dedicated to providing competent and compassionate legal counsel to mesothelioma clients and their families. The firm you choose should have specific experience handling mesothelioma cases and should have a proven track record of securing high settlement values on behalf of their clients.

More importantly, the firm you choose should not allow the legal process to interrupt or impede her clients' medical care and treatment in any way. They should have the patient’s health and treatment always at the forefront of their thoughts. Lastly, they should strive to make the legal process a low stress affair for both the patient and their family to every extent possible.


Request a Free Case Evaluation

Request a Free Evaluation now if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The evaluation will cost you nothing. Our lawyers will travel to visit you at your convenience or conference call with you over the phone. We understand how difficult a time this is for you and will assist in any way that we can. You can also call us toll-free at 1-800-336-0086 at any time.

Legal Rights
  • Why Protect Your Rights
  • Typical Case Process
  • Viable Defendants
  • Bankrupt Defendants
  • VA Benefits
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Mesothelioma Treatment Guide

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Our Clients Say

“I am very pleased with Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen and feel that they have always had my best interest at heart. Whenever I have had questions to be answered, I could (and can) count on prompt answers…”

Shirley Lamphere


Mesothelioma Victim

“Your firm is extremely knowledgeable about mesothelioma. You have all worked hard on my behalf. I sincerely want to thank you for your dedication, kindness and friendship.”

Frank A. “Butch” Blanchard


Mesothelioma Victim

“We were fortunate to have been made aware of your firm and I am appreciative of the guidance and understanding you provided during this most difficult time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you and your firm to anyone who is in need of legal counsel.”

Dayle Smith


Mesothelioma Victim

“Since this was my first experience in such matters, I appreciated the expertise of your attorneys. Their professionalism throughout the entire deposition impressed me to no end. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend your firm to my family or friends.”

Joseph Buscemi


Mesothelioma Victim

“Cathy and I would like to extend our most sincere thanks to Jim Early, Bob Sweeney and your entire staff for the caring and professionalism in which you handled our Mesothelioma case. We are more than pleased with the settlements you have secured on our behalf and honestly, never expected such results.”

Cathy and Nick Varni


Mesothelioma Victims

Read Full Reviews Here
Results

The jury awards and settlements we have received for our clients are among the highest in the country.

Occupation/Exposure

Laborer

Age

67


Results

~$102,200,000

Occupation/Exposure

Plumber / Mechanic

Age

55


Results

~$13,500,000

Occupation/Exposure

Pipefitter / Household

Age

60


Results

~$12,200,000

Occupation/Exposure

Pipefitter

Age

66


Results

~$11,900,000

Occupation/Exposure

Navy / Dry Wall Sprayer

Age

48


Results

~$11,600,000

See All Results Here

Call us Toll Free at
1.800.336.0086

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New York Office

360 Lexington Ave., 20th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212.986.2233
Fax: 212.986.2255

Connecticut Office

One Century Tower, 11th Floor
265 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: 203.777.7799  Fax: 203.785.1671

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156 North Main Street
Edwardsville, IL 62025

Prior results cannot and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter in which a lawyer or law firm may be retained.

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