Asbestos, a naturally-occurring mineral, has such unusual, varied and beneficial properties that is was once coined the ‘miracle mineral’. Around and in use for nearly 5,000 years, referred to in ancient writings, asbestos was once revered for its fire-resistive capabilities and ability to be woven into cloth. Steve McQueen, famed film actor who died in 1980 of mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, was also a well-known race driver who had frequent contact with the dangerous mineral because his fireproof driver’s suit was made from it.
Asbestos has been used, especially between the years 1920-70, for thousands of products and industrial processes. It was mined and manufactured into a huge array of items by companies that distinctly knew the risks asbestos posed to human health. This makes them culpable, liable and financially responsible to the hundreds of thousands or more victims who are now suffering the fate of dealing with a terminal illness.
Your Rights, Their Responsibilities
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to learn all you can about this rare form of cancer now affecting ever-greater of numbers of victims. Since the latency period for this disease is typically three to five decades, many are just now learning they have an incurable disease that was contracted back in the 1960s or 1970s, which has been lying silent within, slowly spreading cancer to every major organ of the body.
If you have suffered losses as the result of contracting an incurable cancer caused by a material known to be carcinogenic by the very people responsible for its widespread use, then you deserve to be compensated for the bad-faith actions that were responsible for you becoming terminally ill. To secure your rights and receive due compensation, the single most important decision you will make is whom to retain as counsel. If you have mesothelioma that has been caused by some company’s negligent omission, you will receive financial benefits if your case is viable. Many mesothelioma trusts have been set up by companies that have already admitted their culpability in the spread of the disease. Satisfying claims through one of these trusts can be fairly quick, but there are also other avenues to approach legally.
Who Is a Good Lawyer?
Like doctors, lawyers often specialize in a specific type of law and, in the mesothelioma arena, finding a specialist with years of successful history in satisfying mesothelioma claims is critical for the best outcome. It is not unusual for mesothelioma cases to settle for millions. The most capable attorneys get tens of millions and more. You want someone who has this type of track record to represent you in the fight of your life.
If you are diagnosed, get treatment options and get a lawyer. Make sure to look into alternative treatments and therapies as they are currently showing promise. Also, make sure to get a capable, seasoned professional as your legal advocate. You deserve fair treatment.