Asbestos exposure is a risk factor for mesothelioma. If you develop this form of cancer, you can take legal action against the party responsible, which can be your current or former employer if you were exposed to asbestos at work. However, mesothelioma lawsuits can be complicated. Therefore, you should be prepared.
Here are two reasons for this:
Prolonged latency period
Mesothelioma has a lengthy latency period – it may take 20 to 60 years to notice symptoms. Thus, it may be challenging to identify where you were exposed to asbestos, especially if you have worked for numerous employers. Further, the company you worked for may have shut down.
Nonetheless, examining the type of duties you handled over the years can help you spot where the exposure may have occurred. Besides, even if a company is no longer in business, you can still take legal action against the owners.
Hence, the challenging part may be identifying the liable party and gathering evidence. But once you have figured this out, subsequent steps may be more manageable.
Large settlements
Unfortunately, mesothelioma is incurable because it’s mainly diagnosed at advanced stages due to the prolonged latency period. But it can be treated to control its symptoms.
Depending on the stage of the illness, your treatment options include surgery, radiation, targeted therapy and chemotherapy. These treatments may need to be administered frequently and possibly for the rest of your life. Consequently, you may incur high medical expenses and non-economic damages (pain and suffering), which means, you may be fighting for a large settlement from the liable party, which can complicate your case.
Mesothelioma cases can be complex, but with legal guidance, you should understand your options to get the compensation you deserve.