Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that’s most often caused by asbestos exposure. It usually forms in the lungs of those who have been exposed to this deadly toxin, but sometimes occurs in the abdominal area or the area around the heart. There are a number of therapies available that can help prolong survival and minimize symptoms and discomfort, but in most cases the cancer is too aggressive and too advanced at the time of diagnosis to be cured. This disease specifically impacts a thin membrane that protects the lungs, heart and organs within the abdominal cavity and enables them to function properly. This is called the mesothelium and the majority of cases of this type of cancer affect the pleura, the mesothelium that lines the lungs.
Get Your FREE Resources Sent Overnight
- Latest treatment options
- Learn from survivors
- Veterans benefits & claims
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma of all types in the United States every year. In most cases, these victims’ exposure took place on the job and the cause of the illness can be traced to an unsafe workplace.
For example, in the past, an overwhelming amount of job sites across the nation used asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings, equipment, products, machinery, insulation, electrical wiring, and more.
Workers were exposed to ACMs each time they went to work, inhaling tiny, odorless asbestos fibers. Once the fibers become lodged in the body, it’s literally impossible to expel all of. Over time, the workers began developing asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer.
With changing regulations and mitigation, exposure to asbestos is on the decline, but people continue to be diagnosed. This is because the disease has what is known as a long latency period. This means that the amount of time that can pass between the time of exposure to asbestos and the time that symptoms begin to appear can be as long as fifty years.
It is an unfortunate reality, but medical science has made great strides in understanding how this deadly disease progresses and various ways to prolong and improve the lives of those who have been diagnosed with the condition. Currently, however, there is still no cure for asbestos illnesses.
Difference Between
Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma and lung cancer often get confused as one in the same, but there are key differences between mesothelioma and lung cancer. Although pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining around the lungs, it’s not considered lung cancer. Lung cancer is a type of cancer that develops (as its name states) in the lungs.
Furthermore, mesothelioma and lung cancer grow differently. Mesothelioma begins as small tumor modules that divide along the lung’s linings. Lung cancer, on the other hand, has set boundaries and the tumors grow in masses.
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, whereas lung cancer develops from a variety of ways, including cigarette smoking, second-hand smoke, gas exposure, genetics, and some instances, no discernible cause at all.
Lung cancer has a shorter latency period than mesothelioma. Symptoms of lung cancer can appear within 10 years (sometimes earlier), while it can take up to 50 years for the first signs of mesothelioma to appear.
Treatment for mesothelioma is also different from lung cancer. Although patients of both types of cancer may undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy, mesothelioma patients generally have the lung lining removed during surgery, while lung cancer patients have portions of the lung removed.
In some cases, mesothelioma patients also have portions of the lung removed. Lung cancer patients tend to have a higher survival rate once a few years after treatment has passed. Studies indicate that several years after treatment, lung cancer patients survival rates are around 10%, while mesothelioma survival rates are at around 4%.
What are the
Types of Mesothelioma?
The most common form of asbestos-related cancer is pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the lungs and makes up approximately 75 percent of all diagnosed cases. The second most common form is peritoneal, which accounts for between ten and twenty percent of cases, while another one percent of cases form in the pericardium. Even fewer are known to form in the testicles.
Pleural
This type of asbestos-related cancer impacts the lining of the lungs. Because it is most common, the majority of research into treatment has focused on this type. With long-term exposure to asbestos fibers, a person may inhale a lot of the particles. The fibers get embedded in the pleura where they cannot be released. Over many years they cause inflammation and other types of damage that may lead to the formation of tumors.
Pericardial
This extremely rare form of asbestos-related cancer occurs in just one percent of all diagnosed cases. It is extremely difficult to treat because of the proximity of the disease to the heart. This cancer attacks the part of the mesothelium that lines the heart. This is called the pericardium. Only about 200 cases of this type of mesothelioma have ever been described in scientific journals.
Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Breathing difficulties
- Heart palpitations
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
Peritoneal
Peritoneal Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for less than 20 percent of all cases of the asbestos-related cancer. The beginning symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, which may show 20 to 50 years after first exposure to asbestos, include abdominal distension, abdominal pain, swelling or tenderness around the abdomen and constipation or diarrhea.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of this type of cancer. The tumors grow in the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity and organs. While inhalation of asbestos fibers most often causes the pleural form of mesothelioma, fibers may also be ingested and this is thought to be the main way the get into the peritoneum and cause damage. Fibers from the chest cavity may also migrate into the abdominal cavity, although this is not well understood.
Pleural
This type of asbestos-related cancer impacts the lining of the lungs. Because it is most common, the majority of research into treatment has focused on this type. With long-term exposure to asbestos fibers, a person may inhale a lot of the particles. The fibers get embedded in the pleura where they cannot be released. Over many years they cause inflammation and other types of damage that may lead to the formation of tumors.
Pericardial
This extremely rare form of asbestos-related cancer occurs in just one percent of all diagnosed cases. It is extremely difficult to treat because of the proximity of the disease to the heart. This cancer attacks the part of the mesothelium that lines the heart. This is called the pericardium. Only about 200 cases of this type of mesothelioma have ever been described in scientific journals.
Pericardial mesothelioma symptoms include:
- Breathing difficulties
- Heart palpitations
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
Peritoneal
Peritoneal Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for less than 20 percent of all cases of the asbestos-related cancer. The beginning symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma, which may show 20 to 50 years after first exposure to asbestos, include abdominal distension, abdominal pain, swelling or tenderness around the abdomen and constipation or diarrhea.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form of this type of cancer. The tumors grow in the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity and organs. While inhalation of asbestos fibers most often causes the pleural form of mesothelioma, fibers may also be ingested and this is thought to be the main way the get into the peritoneum and cause damage. Fibers from the chest cavity may also migrate into the abdominal cavity, although this is not well understood.
What are the
Symptoms of
Mesothelioma?
Pleural Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Pericardial Mesothelioma
One of the most difficult aspects is the fact that its initial symptoms are so subtle and benign that in many cases they are ignored. As the disease slowly progresses into more advanced stages these mild symptoms become more pronounced and expand to include moderate pain, weight loss, and overall malaise or fatigue. By the time the patient is aware of these symptoms they have progressed so much that a visit to the doctor is scheduled, and the disease has already entered its later stages.
Depending upon the type of cancer, symptoms of advanced disease can include pain around the site of the tumor, unexplained weight loss, constipation caused by bowel obstruction and a buildup of fluid in the chest or abdomen. There are a number of therapies available to relieve these symptoms.
A lot of times, people confuse pleural mesothelioma symptoms with common respiratory illnesses. If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, always tell your physician, and always get a medical check-up, even if you feel that your symptoms are from the common cold or other similar ailments. Unfortunately, many people experience these symptoms and blow them off, thinking they’ll get better in time. Starting mesothelioma treatment as early as possible crucial.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Pericardial Mesothelioma
How is
Mesothelioma Diagnosed?
Examination
The first step in diagnosing any type of mesothelioma occurs when a patient experiences symptoms. The symptoms characteristic of this caner are not unique to it, so a visit to the doctor is necessary to rule out other causes. A general practitioner or internist can examine the patient and test for certain conditions, while also taking a medical history. In addition to symptoms, known exposure to asbestos is an indicator that mesothelioma may be possible.
Xrays / MRIs
A general doctor will refer any patient suspected of having mesothelioma to an oncologist, or cancer specialist, for a definite diagnosis. There are a number of different methodologies used in diagnosing asbestos-related cancers and the one that is used in a specific case often depends upon how the disease has presented itself, the location of the tumor, and how advanced it is at the time of diagnosis. In most cases, a confirmed diagnosis comes from a combination of biopsies, laboratory studies and imaging studies such as MRI or X-Rays.
Biopsy
Often the first test is to drain fluid from the pleural or peritoneal cavities and to examine it for the presence of cancer cells. Imaging scans are next to look for any signs of potential tumors. These imaging tools may include X-rays, MRIs, PET scans, and CT scans. If the images show what could look like tumors, the next step is to biopsy them to be sure it is mesothelioma and to stage the disease.
The Stages of Mesothelioma
It is important not just to diagnose cancer, but to stage it. All kinds of cancers are staged from one through four and this allows doctors to accurately describe how far along the disease has progressed, to communicate that to specialists, and to provide the best treatment plan. There are a few different systems used to stage cancer, but all assign stage one to the least advanced and most curable cases and four to the most advanced.
STAGE 1
Stage one patients have the best odds of survival. During this stage, there may not be any symptoms at all for some people. Others that do experience symptoms may notice coughing, fever, chest pain, breathing difficulties, and a general feeling of fatigue.
STAGE 2
Stage two patients still have a good chance of survival and will likely experience the same symptoms as those in stage one. However, during stage two, the cancerous tumor starts to invade the cheat cavity, diaphragm, or the lung. The pleura also starts to thicken.
STAGE 3
When a patient enters stage three of mesothelioma, the cancer has spread to the point where doctors administer palliative forms of treatment, which is used to treat pain and help reduce symptoms. During this stage, prognosis is generally grim, and most patients will experience severe chest pain, weight loss, night sweats, coughing, and fatigue.
STAGE 4
Stage four, the final stage of mesothelioma, occurs when the cancer has spread throughout the body that it’s difficult to remove it all. Prognosis is typically short and grim during the final stage, although there are a number of patients who’ve been the odds and lived years past what physicians expected.
Free information on the Latest treatment options; Learn from survivors; Veterans benefits and claims; File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Call us now to speak with a friendly Patient Advocate. We are standing by to answer any questions and get you the help you need.
How involved is
Mesothelioma Treatment?
Once mesothelioma has been diagnosed and staged, treatment options can be discussed and chosen. There are a number of different therapies and courses of action that can be taken in treating this deadly form of asbestos-related cancer. The most common of these are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and in many cases a multi-modality approach that uses more than one of these is used and has been found to provide the most promising results.
Surgery
There are many treatment options available for patients with cancer, but mesothelioma is particularly difficult to treat. It is often diagnosed in later stages, after it has spread to other tissues, organs, or even distant parts of the body. Mesothelioma is aggressive and spreads rapidly, but with equally aggressive treatment strategies patients can be given a better prognosis and be made more comfortable.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs that kill cancer cells. They also kill healthy cells, which is why this line of treatment causes so many unpleasant side effects. Mesothelioma, the cancer of the mesothelium, most often the lining of the lungs called the pleura, is aggressive and spreads quickly. Chemotherapy is just one of several treatment options that doctors and patients have.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, also sometimes called radiotherapy, is a common cancer treatment strategy. Mesothelioma radiation therapy is one of three main treatment techniques used to battle this aggressive type of cancer. The other two are surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy may be used alone, but is more often used as part of a multimodal treatment approach along with chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments.
There are many treatment options available for patients with cancer, but mesothelioma is particularly difficult to treat. It is often diagnosed in later stages, after it has spread to other tissues, organs, or even distant parts of the body. Mesothelioma is aggressive and spreads rapidly, but with equally aggressive treatment strategies patients can be given a better prognosis and be made more comfortable.
Chemotherapy is the administration of drugs that kill cancer cells. They also kill healthy cells, which is why this line of treatment causes so many unpleasant side effects. Mesothelioma, the cancer of the mesothelium, most often the lining of the lungs called the pleura, is aggressive and spreads quickly. Chemotherapy is just one of several treatment options that doctors and patients have.
Radiation therapy, also sometimes called radiotherapy, is a common cancer treatment strategy. Mesothelioma radiation therapy is one of three main treatment techniques used to battle this aggressive type of cancer. The other two are surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy may be used alone, but is more often used as part of a multimodal treatment approach along with chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments.
While traditional treatments and therapies can be a powerful way to battle mesothelioma, having a clear mind and positive outlook can help the treatment process. One of the biggest obstacles when dealing with a dangerous diseases is high stress levels.
If you can find a way to keep your stress levels at a minimum, you’ll find your life changing for the better. Some mesothelioma patients opt for meditation and yoga classes, while others find that religion brings them comfort and reduces stress. Others options to reduce stress include long walks in nature, reading inspirational books, dancing, and listening to uplifting music.
Diet also plays a huge role in the treatment process. In fact, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy diet while undergoing treatment. This can be difficult when chemotherapy leaves you nauseated, making it difficult to eat or drink. However, to avoid medical conditions such as anorexia and cachexia, you need proper nutrition so that your body can maintain the correct weight while boosting your strength.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), cancer patients should eat foods that consist of green, leafy vegetables (preferably uncooked), foods with high amounts of calcium, iron, and vitamin B, lean meats and poultry, seafood, nuts, and dairy. If you find it too difficult to maintain a proper diet while going through treatment, talk to your physician about taking supplements.
What is the
Prognosis for Mesothelioma Patients?
In trying to determine the expected course of a diagnosis, and the ultimate prognosis for the patient, much is based on the stage of the cancer. Though treatment options exist at both early and late stages, in most cases those whose condition is diagnosed earliest have the best overall chances of surviving the disease.
Still, there are many factors that can determine the outcome of a particular case, including the type of cancer, the type of cell that the mesothelioma is made up of, the stage at the time of diagnosis, and the patient’s overall health. Working with the right medical team is another aspect of care that may impact the expected outcome for a patient.
In general, the survival rate after a mesothelioma diagnosis is around 18 months. This is not a set rule, however. There are a number of mesothelioma patients who adopted a healthy diet, a stress-free lifestyle, and an exercise plan that has helped them surpass the odds. In fact, some people diagnosed with mesothelioma have lived 10 years or more after diagnosis.
According to a 2015 meta-study, people with peritoneal mesothelioma have longer survival rates than those with pleural mesothelioma, which is likely due to innovative forms of treatment. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a new form of treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma patients that delivers concentrated, heated chemotherapy into the abdominal area. It allows the patient to have higher doses of chemotherapy, which in turn, has improved pericardial mesothelioma survival rates.
Survival rates greatly depend on the type of treatment received. There’s no scientific study that definitely states survival rates according to treatment, but independent studies done on both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma show that a combination of treatments can extend survival rates.
For pleural mesothelioma, patients had a higher survival rate when they underwent pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) and extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), along with chemotherapy. Peritoneal mesothelioma patients had a higher survival rate when they underwent cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC, with systematic chemotherapy. More studies are needed to understand treatment plans and survival rates for the other types of mesothelioma.
Genetics can also play a factor in prognosis. Mesothelioma patients who have genetic mutations of BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) tend to have higher survival rates than those who don’t have the mutations. Additionally, the National Cancer Institute’s SEER database states that women with mesothelioma typically have a longer survival rate of 5 years when compared to men.
How do I find
the Best Doctor?
The best place to begin when you suspect you may have mesothelioma, or you have symptoms that are similar to those described here, is with your trusted internist or family doctor. This professional can help guide you on your journey and help you find the best specialists. It is also always important to listen to your own body. If you are told you do not have the cancer, but you feel that you do, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion.
There are many highly skilled specialists who have dedicated themselves to the treatment of mesothelioma. These surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and palliative care practitioners often work collaboratively on a special treatment team. It is important to find doctors and other caregivers who make you feel comfortable. You also want the best experts, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and get credentials.
Find A Doctor Near You
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How do I find the
Treatment Facility?
The best place to begin when you suspect you may have mesothelioma, or you have symptoms that are similar to those described here, is with your trusted internist or family doctor. This professional can help guide you on your journey and help you find the best specialists. It is also always important to listen to your own body. If you are told you do not have the cancer, but you feel that you do, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion.
There are many highly skilled specialists who have dedicated themselves to the treatment of mesothelioma. These surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and palliative care practitioners often work collaboratively on a special treatment team. It is important to find doctors and other caregivers who make you feel comfortable. You also want the best experts, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and get credentials.
Find A Treatment Center Near You
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Are there
Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma?
Despite the seriousness of this disease, this asbestos-related cancer receives very little federal funding for research. There are, however, a number of clinical trials being conducted in an effort to find a cure or more effective treatments. Researchers from around the world engage in these studies in order to help find medications and therapies that will eradicate this rare disease.
Patients struggling with a terminal illness like mesothelioma may be eligible to participate in clinical trials that are testing drugs and other strategies not yet approved for the general public. There are risks associated with unapproved treatments, but also the potential for great reward. Many people with terminal mesothelioma want to participate because they have few other options for saving their lives.
What are my options
Paying For Mesothelioma Treatment?
Treatment for mesothelioma can be extremely expensive, and as a result, it is essential that anybody who has been impacted by the disease avail themselves of all resources, including financial and legal avenues. In many cases, the treatment that may be best for your particular case may not be fully funded by your insurance coverage, and for those patients without medical insurance the financial impact can be even more devastating.
Alternatives to relying on insurance to pay for treatment include funding from nonprofit advocacy groups and charities. Patients can also consider lawsuits, settlements, and trust funds set up by employers who exposed them to asbestos in the workplace. These legal means of getting compensation can help to pay for expensive treatments.
What is the
Mesothelioma Trust Fund?
Asbestos-related trust funds are financial resources for those exposed to asbestos on the job. They are established by corporations found responsible for asbestos injuries to their employees and to others. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and are not sure where you may have been exposed, begin with your workplace.
As mentioned earlier, workplace exposure is the most common source of asbestos that causes mesothelioma. If your employer has been found to have exposed employees you may have access to a trust fund or be able to seek compensation through other legal avenues.
Getting Benefits for
Veterans with Mesothelioma
Asbestos in the Navy
Asbestos in the Marine Corps
Asbestos in the Army
Asbestos in the Air Force
Asbestos in the Coast Guard
Mesothelioma patients whose asbestos exposure was a result of service in the United States militar, may be eligible for benefits that help with their expenses. Veterans are a special group at risk for mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. Asbestos use in the military peaked between 1935 and 1975 and was most common in the U.S. Navy. Many veterans die every year from exposure to asbestos.
Veterans with an honorable discharge, who were exposed to asbestos have access to VA benefits, as long as the asbestos exposure resulted in an asbestos-related disease. The VA recognizes asbestos illnesses as being connected to service and in turn, may provide disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and health care to patients who qualify.
Applying for VA benefits can be a long, complicated process if you’re unsure of the procedure. It’s highly recommended to find an attorney experienced in helping mesothelioma victims obtain compensation. Additionally, although you cannot sue the government for your injuries, you can certainly file a claim against the manufacturers that supplied asbestos products to the military. Most people have no clue what companies were responsible for shipping asbestos to the military, but again, a reputable asbestos lawyer can find the responsible party.
Asbestos in the Navy
Asbestos in the Marine Corps
Asbestos in the Army
Asbestos in the Air Force
Asbestos in the Coast Guard
How Do I Find the
Best Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Once you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease, the primary focus is necessarily on medical treatment, but it is also important to remember that there are legal rights and options available as well. Since this disease is generally caused by occupational exposure, it may be possible to file a claim with an asbestos trust fund in order to get reimbursement for medical expenses from those responsible for the exposure.
Lawsuits can also be filed, and may be settled outside of court or in front of a judge or jury. In many cases these legal actions can result in much-needed resources to help pay for medical bills and provide for the victim’s family’s financial security.
People who have been diagnosed with asbestos related cancer are often able to file lawsuits and win them because of the fact that their disease is preventable and was caused by the negligence of others (specifically asbestos manufacturers that supplied ACMs to job sites). The history of asbestos exposure includes a number of corporations, asbestos mining companies and other employers who did not notify their employees about the dangers of asbestos exposure despite having been aware of it.
This failure to notify and protect often puts them at fault. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will be able to tell you about the options that are available to you, and what your rights may be. In most cases, lawsuits that are filed against defendants for asbestos exposure are settled out of court. Though the outcomes in these settlements can vary, they often result in a quicker closure to the issue. When a lawsuit reaches the court, the outcome can often be unpredictable. Much depends upon the evidence that is provided in each case, but there is an extensive history of large verdicts being awarded to those who have been exposed to asbestos by their employer.
Once you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease, the primary focus is necessarily on medical treatment, but it is also important to remember that there are legal rights and options available as well. Since this disease is generally caused by occupational exposure, it may be possible to file a claim with an asbestos trust fund in order to get reimbursement for medical expenses from those responsible for the exposure.
Lawsuits can also be filed, and may be settled outside of court or in front of a judge or jury. In many cases these legal actions can result in much-needed resources to help pay for medical bills and provide for the victim’s family’s financial security.
People who have been diagnosed with asbestos related cancer are often able to file lawsuits and win them because of the fact that their disease is preventable and was caused by the negligence of others (specifically asbestos manufacturers that supplied ACMs to job sites). The history of asbestos exposure includes a number of corporations, asbestos mining companies and other employers who did not notify their employees about the dangers of asbestos exposure despite having been aware of it.
Finding the best mesothelioma may seem like a daunting task, but the Internet provides a wealth of information on attorneys who’ve successfully handled asbestos cases. When looking for an attorney, always make sure they specifically specialize in mesothelioma cases, and be certain that they have a proven track record. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, such as when, where, and how they defended clients in similar situations. You’ll want to make sure whoever you choose has enough experience to lead you to a successful outcome.
Keep in mind that a general practice attorney may be excellent in handling “general” cases, but mesothelioma lawsuits are intricate and complex, and most general practice lawyers don’t have the experience to give you the best possible chances of winning. Always look for an attorney who primarily handles asbestos-related cases.
Most people undergoing expensive mesothelioma treatments aren’t in the position to hire a high-priced mesothelioma attorney. The good news is that the majority of experienced and reputable asbestos attorneys understand the financial issues that often go hand-in-hand with mesothelioma, and therefore, never charge anything upfront. Instead, they work with you on a contingency-based payment plan. A contingency payment plan means that you pay nothing at all until you win your case. Once you win your case, your lawyer takes a certain percentage of your compensation.
Do you research on lawyer fees before retaining legal help. Lawyers charge different fees, which can range anywhere from 10% to 40%. You definitely don’t want any surprises after you’ve won your case, so make sure you understand exactly what an attorney charges before deciding on which one is right for you.
In most cases, mesothelioma lawsuits end in a settlement before a trial begins. This means you’ll avoid trial while your attorney sorts out the details of your case, provides proof of your injuries to the defense, and helps negotiate a settlement amount on your behalf.
In rare instances when both parties can’t agree on a settlement, the case will go to trial. If you feel too weak or ill to stand trial, accommodations can possibly be worked out. For example, some plaintiffs have given their testimony via video from the comforts of their home.
Can’t Afford a Lawyer?
Most people undergoing expensive mesothelioma treatments aren’t in the position to hire a high-priced mesothelioma attorney. The good news is that the majority of experienced and reputable asbestos attorneys understand the financial issues that often go hand-in-hand with mesothelioma, and therefore, never charge anything upfront. Instead, they work with you on a contingency-based payment plan. A contingency payment plan means that you pay nothing at all until you win your case. Once you win your case, your lawyer takes a certain percentage of your compensation.
Do you research on lawyer fees before retaining legal help. Lawyers charge different fees, which can range anywhere from 10% to 40%. You definitely don’t want any surprises after you’ve won your case, so make sure you understand exactly what an attorney charges before deciding on which one is right for you.
Will I Go to Trial?
In most cases, mesothelioma lawsuits end in a settlement before a trial begins. This means you’ll avoid trial while your attorney sorts out the details of your case, provides proof of your injuries to the defense, and helps negotiate a settlement amount on your behalf.
In rare instances when both parties can’t agree on a settlement, the case will go to trial. If you feel too weak or ill to stand trial, accommodations can possibly be worked out. For example, some plaintiffs have given their testimony via video from the comforts of their home.
Where can I
Get Additional Help?
Get Your FREE Resources Sent Overnight
- Latest treatment options
- Learn from survivors
- Veterans benefits & claims
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
We are here to help you
If you've been diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer, contact us at 1-800-692-8608 to find out if you are eligible to receive compensation. You can also fill out the form above to receive FREE information.
Where can I
Get Additional Help?
For over 15 years, we’ve provided the best FREE resources to mesothelioma patients and loved ones. Our resources include information on the leading treatment options and best doctors in your area; lessons learned from survivors; claims and benefits specifically for Veterans; and how to access your share of billions of dollars in trust fund money.
Get Your FREE Resources Sent Overnight
- Latest treatment options
- Learn from survivors
- Veterans benefits & claims
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
We are here to help you
If you've been diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer, contact us at 1-800-692-8608 to find out if you are eligible to receive compensation. You can also fill out the form above to receive FREE information.