Legal Rights for Mesothelioma Victims

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of Mesothelioma, so if you’ve been diagnosed with the disease, its origin will be obvious to you.  While treatment will remain your number one concern, you should be aware that you may be entitled to monetary compensation from past employers, asbestos companies, and insurance companies.  Settlements may be awarded to plaintiffs and their families in compensation for excessive medical expenses associated with the diagnosis and treatment of Mesothelioma as well as compensation for a reduction in the quality of life.

Since evidence of the cover-up of asbestos dangers surfaced in the mid 1970s, many Mesothelioma victims have successfully filed claims against asbestos companies. For more than a century, asbestos manufacturers have recognized the health risks of this naturally-mined substance, choosing not to disclose reports and figures that pointed to the growing number of individuals who were becoming ill from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.  Much documentation is available pointing to the fact that large corporations have long suppressed information as to the dangers of exposure to asbestos, hoping to avoid lawsuits by affected employees and/or their families.

If you’ve been stricken with Mesothelioma or have lost a loved one to the disease, it is certainly within your rights to file a lawsuit against a former employer or the asbestos-manufacturing company that was responsible for the exposure and, ultimately, the contracting of the disease.

Two types of Mesothelioma lawsuits are common.  Personal injury suits are filed by the patients themselves and seek monetary awards to cover loss of income, medical expenses, and to compensate for pain and suffering.  The second type, the wrongful death claim, is filed by the survivor of a Mesothelioma victim.  Procedures vary for each type of claim.

A family member who contracts Mesothelioma due to exposure from fibers brought home via the clothes of an exposed spouse or parent may also be eligible to file a suit.  Many secondary Mesothelioma victims have been successful in acquiring monetary compensation from the asbestos industry. 

An experienced attorney can advise you as to your best options for a successful claim.  Browse through the remainder of our Legal Resource pages to learn more about filing an asbestos lawsuit and take a moment to send for our free Mesothelioma Information Kit, full of information on the disease, treatment options, and your legal rights.