Know Your Rights Regarding Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer found in the lining of the abdominal cavity, the chest lining, or the lining around the heart (the pericardium). Almost all mesothelioma patients have acquired the disease through work-related exposure to asbestos. Even a brief exposure is sufficient to cause mesothelioma. Other patients lived near an asbestos mine, near a manufacturing or industrial site that used asbestos, or with someone who worked with asbestos. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. If you or someone that you love has acquired mesothelioma, it’s important to know your rights. Discuss those rights and your legal options as quickly as possible with an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer.
If you suspect or know that you’ve been exposed to asbestos, and you suffer from the early symptoms of mesothelioma – shortness of breath, coughing, pain, swelling, unexpected weight loss, anemia, or fever – see a doctor at once. Treatment alternatives will hinge on the location of the cancer, how far it has advanced, and the patient’s age and previous medical record. The current options for mesothelioma treatment include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, although new and superior treatment methods are now under development.
One of the aggravating aspects of mesothelioma is that it can take decades to develop. People exposed to asbestos as long ago as the 1970s and 1980s may just now be learning that they’ve acquired mesothelioma. Nevertheless, you may still be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, and you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against your employer at the time or the party responsible for exposing you to asbestos. However, if you choose to file a personal injury claim and seek compensation, you’ll need the help of a Chicago personal injury lawyer with substantial experience handling mesothelioma cases and fighting on behalf of mesothelioma victims. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, make the call to an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible.
