Pleural Mesothelioma
You Shouldn’t Have to Bear This Burden Alone
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the physical, emotional, and financial burden this disease will place on you and your family. A pleural mesothelioma diagnosis is usually followed by hospitalizations, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and a slew of doctor’s visits.
During this difficult time, you should be focused on your health, not how you will afford to fight this devastating disease. At Belluck & Fox, we have been going to battle for victims of pleural mesothelioma for more than 20 years, securing more than $1 billion in compensation for patients and their families.
Clients from across New York and throughout the United States have come to count on our nationally recognized pleural mesothelioma attorneys. That’s because our compassionate team is committed to making the process of pursuing compensation as easy as possible for patients. We do all the travelling and the legwork, and we are sensitive to your needs for the quickest practical resolution of your case.
Schedule a free case consultation today with our skilled mesothelioma attorneys. One of the partners in our firm will contact you within 24 hours to discuss what types of compensation you may be entitled to. We have New York office that you can visit today.
What Causes Pleural Mesothelioma?
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The only known cause of pleural mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. People who have worked directly with or around asbestos products may have inhaled microscopic asbestos fibers, which stick in the mesothelium tissue that lines the lungs and the chest cavity. These asbestos fibers may stay lodged in the body for years, leading to scarring and irritation of the lining, which is known as the pleura. Pleural mesothelioma can take 15 to 60 years to develop after a person was initially exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos exposure can come from common industrial and household building materials. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration warns that asbestos can be found in:
- Pumps, valves, boilers, and turbines
- Roofing and siding shingles
- Floor tiles
- Plaster, cement, putty, and caulk
- Ceiling tile spray-on coatings
- Insulation
- Gaskets and packing
- Automotive brakes and clutches
- Lab equipment
People who faced increased risk of exposure to asbestos include industrial workers, electricians, mechanics, construction workers, and veterans. However, even those with limited, second-hand asbestos exposure are at risk of developing pleural mesothelioma.
Asbestos companies that failed to warn of the dangers of this deadly material should be held responsible for the pain they have caused you. Contact us today to learn how our dedicated New York pleural mesothelioma attorneys we will demand justice for you and your family.
Compensation for Pleural Mesothelioma
At Belluck & Fox, our dedicated New York pleural mesothelioma attorneys will identify every potential source of compensation in your case. This includes demanding compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit, negotiating full and fair settlement offers, filing claims with asbestos trust funds, and/or helping you apply for veterans’ benefits.
Some of the common types of compensation we pursue for pleural mesothelioma patients include:
- Payment for your medical bills, including coverage for future treatments you may need
- Compensation for lost wages and your reduced earning capacity
- Payment to account for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you have endured
- Punitive damages, in cases where the asbestos companies exhibited extreme misconduct
For family members who have lost a loved one to this devastating disease, we can also help you pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Schedule a free case consultation today and let our dedicated New York pleural mesothelioma lawyers start building a strong case for you. Call or fill out our online form to request more information about the mesothelioma compensation process.
Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, making up about 75 percent of cases. Because its symptoms can be confused with those of other respiratory conditions, the cancer can be hard to diagnose. Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fluid building up around the lungs, commonly known as pleural effusion
- Pain in the chest
- Chronic, dry, or painful cough
- Weight loss, loss of appetite, or difficulty swallowing
- Lumps under the skin on the chest
- Fatigue
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should discuss them with your doctor immediately and talk about your history of asbestos exposure.
Treatment for Pleural Mesothelioma
Unfortunately, there is not a cure for pleural mesothelioma. However, there are several treatment options available that can improve a person’s life expectancy and make the patient more comfortable. Pleural mesothelioma treatment options include:
- Surgery to take out as much of the cancer as possible
- Chemotherapy to stop the cancer cells from spreading
- Radiation to damage the cancer cells and prevent their growth
- Clinical trials to allow patients to test new treatments that are still in the research phase
- Holistic approaches to improve overall physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being
Your doctor will likely recommend a combination of these pleural mesothelioma treatment options, which can end up being extremely costly. Our experienced New York mesothelioma attorneys frequently work with patients and their families to ease the burden of medical bills while your case is pending, so you are not concerned about whether you can afford the medical care you really need.
Our Mesothelioma Lawyers Are Here to Help After a Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis
About 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. The median survival time for patients is typically 12 to 21 months, depending on how far advanced the cancer is at diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society. A person’s general health, age, and gender can also affect a pleural mesothelioma prognosis.
For many people who have just been diagnosed with the disease, it’s not just themselves they are concerned about. Patients worry about their families and the toll that the disease will ultimately take on them, too. At Belluck & Fox, we work with patients and their families to identify how we can help you during this difficult time.
We connect patients and their families with medical specialists and other caregivers who have extensive experience coping with mesothelioma. In the end, we know that no amount of money can make up for what you’ve been put through. But having a strong support network in place can be invaluable during this journey.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our skilled pleural mesothelioma lawyers to discuss how we can support you during this difficult time. Call or fill out our online form now to get started.