WHAT IS MESOTHELIOMA?

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer generally caused by exposure to asbestos. Cancer arises in the lining covering the bodys internal organs. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain, and other general symptoms of disease. Unfortunately, the survival rate of those diagnosed with mesothelioma is not high.

Why is so much attention being paid to mesothelioma?

People started suing asbestos manufacturers in 1929 because of real or imagined effects of asbestos exposure. Countless lawsuits have been filed since them. In 1982, a court awarded a man named James Cavett a total verdict of $3.7 million. Naturally, potential plaintiffs and their attorneys paid attention. Many asbestos manufacturers have been forced to file bankruptcy due to large verdicts against them.

Why are the lawsuits still going on?

Mesothelioma has a long “latency” period - this means that the disease may not be discovered until years after a person has been exposed to asbestos. Moreover, some companies have been accused of hiding the risks from their employees, or even hiding the fact that some of their employees were ill, in order to maximize profits. With these facts in mind, many attorneys are interested in talking to those who may have been exposed to asbestos.

How much is a mesothelioma case worth?

We understand that the litigation around asbestos and mesothelioma is the longest lasting, most expensive civil litigation ever carried out in the United States. It is believed that people exposed to asbestos will continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma at an increasing rate over the next ten or more years. Without a detailed analysis, it is difficult to say what amount of compensation an individual with the disease might receive, but thousands of plaintiffs have won awards with the help of their attorneys.