When you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may feel lost and unsure about the future. This terminal cancer can take years to develop and unfortunately may have already done considerable damage by the time it’s caught. While this diagnosis can be a lot to bear, you don’t have to do it all on your own. It’s possible that you have legal options and can pursue justice for the actions that caused you or your loved one’s diagnosis. A Washington mesothelioma lawyer from Frost Law Firm, PC can help you navigate the legal process and will fight for your rights.
A mesothelioma diagnosis is devastating for anyone to hear. During this time, you may worry about treatment, spending quality time with family, and keeping up with finances. When you or a family member is diagnosed with mesothelioma, this could have been due to asbestos exposure. We can help you hold the negligent party accountable for their actions and seek to secure your or your loved one’s financial future.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that can be caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a hazardous mineral fiber that heavily used during the 20th century because of its resistance to heat. It can be found in building and construction materials, floor tiles, insulation, and more. Anyone working with these materials or in an area that has these materials could be exposed to asbestos.
If these materials are being removed for renovation or repair and the asbestos is disturbed, then fibers can get into the air and can be inhaled or ingested. Those who are exposed to asbestos could have been at work, but there’s also another risk of secondhand exposure. Someone can expose others to asbestos if the fibers are on their clothes.
Once the person inhales or ingests the fibers, those fibers settle in the body. Over time, they affect organ lining. The fibers cause mesothelial cells to grow in this lining area, called the pleura.
Other factors that can affect the chances of having asbestos-related health issues include:
- The duration of exposure
- The amount of asbestos you were exposed to
- Other health conditions
Being exposed to a lot of asbestos over a long period of time can make it more likely for the fibers to get into the body and grow cancerous cells. The different types of mesothelioma refer to where those cells grow. They are:
- Pleural Mesothelioma. This is when the mesothelioma cells in the lung’s lining. Pleural is the most common form of this type of malignant cancer.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma. This cancer affects the heart area as it grows in the pericardium.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma. When the fibers reach the abdominal area, they can cause tumor growth in the peritoneum, which lines the abdomen.
- Testicular Mesothelioma. Cancerous cells grow in the lining of the testes. This type of mesothelioma is rare.
When someone is suffering from mesothelioma, they may experience symptoms that include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain under rib cage or abdomen
- Abdominal swelling or lumps
- Unexplained weight loss
However, mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, as these symptoms can also indicate other illnesses like lung cancer. The patient will likely need to undergo a number of tests so their doctor can diagnose what’s causing these symptoms.
When the diagnosis is mesothelioma, it’s understandable to feel shocked and to wonder how this happened. You may have been exposed to asbestos somewhere in Washington. While you’re dealing with the news of the diagnosis, you’re also likely wondering about the treatment options.
Also keep in mind that after you have a treatment protocol, you should reach out to a mesothelioma lawyer to discuss your legal options. Before learning more about how Frost Law Firm, PC can help you, let’s go over the types of treatment for mesothelioma.
What Types of Mesothelioma Treatment Are Available?
Malignant mesothelioma is often diagnosed when it’s in its advanced stages. There is no cure for mesothelioma and treatment is focused on prolonging life as well as managing quality of life. Those types of treatments to prevent the growth and spread of the cancer include:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
Your or your loved one’s doctor may also discuss clinical trials. These are treatments that are currently being studied to see if they are safe and provide help.
The other part of treatment is about pain management and keeping the patient comfortable. While pain management can be part of a patient’s treatment when they’re undergoing the treatments above, the treatment may transition to focus on pain management more when the cancer is in its later stages.
When the doctor has planned the treatment protocol, you and your family may start to worry about how you’re going to afford the care. You could be looking at months or years of treatment. These medical bills can add up over time.
You shouldn’t have to stress about medical bills when this time can be spent focusing on family and treatment. Adding a legal claim on top of this can seem overwhelming. That’s where a Washington mesothelioma lawyer can help you.
Serving Washington Mesothelioma Victims
When you’re holding a negligent party accountable for your asbestos exposure and resulting mesothelioma diagnosis, you need experienced representation who will build you a strong case and fight to maximize your compensation. Frost Law Firm, PC can help.
Since it takes so long for mesothelioma to develop, it can be difficult to track down where you were exposed to asbestos. Whether you were exposed at work, during military service, or by coming into contact secondhand, you’ll need to show how this happened. Our mesothelioma lawyers have experience in investigating how the exposure occurred and what negligent actions led to this exposure.
We may find that your workplace didn’t provide safety equipment to prevent the inhalation of asbestos or even provide you with information that you and others were working with asbestos-containing materials.
We’ll seek financial relief that will allow you to cover the costs and losses of this illness. Compensation may cover losses from past and future medical treatment, lost wages, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If you’ve lost a loved one to mesothelioma, the type of claim can change as well as the damages you can recover. This legal process can be confusing, which is why we’re here. Your lawyer will help you and your family navigate the legal process and we will do everything possible to get you the compensation you deserve.
Choose an Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyer
Frost Law Firm, PC has years of experience fighting for those who were exposed to asbestos and are now fighting mesothelioma. Washington residents deserve to have representation they can count on. Our lawyers are here for mesothelioma victims and their families. We understand how a diagnosis can drastically change your or a loved one’s life. A Washington mesothelioma lawyer will be at your side every step of the way to advocate for your rights.
While a lawsuit may not be on your mind immediately following a diagnosis, it’s important to act quickly. The legal process can take time and the expenses of treatment can be high. Contact our office today for a free consultation so we can discuss your options.
