Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops after asbestos exposure. According to research, approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with this rare disease every year in the United States. While mesothelioma occurs more often in men, it can occur in women too. After asbestos exposure, it can take decades for a person to find out they have mesothelioma. However, while the onset of mesothelioma symptoms can be slow, this rare disease can be aggressive. It is advisable for mesothelioma victims and their families to act fast after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
After a mesothelioma diagnosis, a victim and their family can file a claim against the negligent party responsible for the illness. For example, after someone develops mesothelioma after getting exposed to asbestos while working with asbestos-contaminated products, they can sue their employer who failed to protect them from asbestos exposure. However, it is best to be aggressive when pursuing financial and legal remedies after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Below are two of the main reasons why it is best to be aggressive when pursuing financial and legal remedies after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
A Personal Injury Claim Can Quickly Become a Wrongful Death Claim
According to research, the five-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is 10%. This means that only one out of 10 people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma survive five years. It is not uncommon for a person to file a mesothelioma personal injury claim and then die before their claim has been settled. Indeed, there are many other things to worry about after a mesothelioma diagnosis since many other things take priority over seeking compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis. However, filing a mesothelioma personal injury claim and recovering compensation while a patient is still alive can be priceless.
Building a Mesothelioma Claim Takes Time
Another reason it is best to be aggressive when pursuing financial and legal remedies after a mesothelioma diagnosis is it takes time to build a claim. Acting fast after a mesothelioma diagnosis can ensure that an attorney has as much time as possible to build a claim. Because of the long latency period of mesothelioma, an attorney needs time to track down the responsible party and gather evidence to prove asbestos exposure.
Benefits of Detecting Mesothelioma Early
Some people do not know they were exposed to asbestos, especially those who fell victim to second-hand asbestos exposure. For those who know or suspect they were exposed to asbestos, it is best to speak to a doctor about the asbestos exposure so mesothelioma can be detected early (if it is present). There are several benefits of detecting mesothelioma early. For example, people diagnosed with early-stage mesothelioma often have a better prognosis. According to research, the five-year survival rate increases to 18% when mesothelioma is found at an early stage. Also, more treatment options are available when a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma early.
Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.