Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the lungs or abdomen. If a medical professional has diagnosed you or a loved one with this condition, speak with a Chicago mesothelioma attorney from Clifford Law Offices as soon as possible. This condition is the result of exposure to asbestos, which means a negligent party is likely to blame for this condition.
Talk to the Chicago mesothelioma lawyers at Clifford Law Offices to learn your legal options after a mesothelioma diagnosis. We provide dedicated, compassionate, and timely representation, fighting diligently for you to recover maximum possible compensation. We are an award-winning firm with decades of experience handling mesothelioma claims in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
What is Mesothelioma?
Today, many people know that asbestos is an extremely dangerous health hazard in the home or workplace. However, despite knowing the dangers of asbestos exposure for over 80 years, companies were still putting the substance in their products well into the 1970s. Because of prolonged and often unknown asbestos exposure, many Americans have developed an aggressive form of cancer known as mesothelioma.
Because the dangers of asbestos are well known and documented, property owners and companies that expose or have exposed their tenants, employees, and consumers to the material are liable for damages caused by the disease. If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Extensive research links mesothelioma development to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma can lie dormant in the human body for years until symptoms start to appear, with latency periods ranging from 10 to 50 years. The average case of mesothelioma takes from 35 to 45 years to develop.
Symptoms of mesothelioma in the lungs include:
- Painful coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Severe chest pain
- Weight loss
There currently is no cure for mesothelioma. Although treatment options are available, most cases of mesothelioma are fatal. Due to its long latency period, by the time doctors catch the cancer, it has already spread throughout the body.
Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations
For most personal injury lawsuits in the state of Illinois, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the incident. Since mesothelioma symptoms take so long to develop, it is impossible for this statute to be applicable. Therefore, mesothelioma victims have two years from the date of the discovery of the disease to file a lawsuit. For construction workers with mesothelioma, the statute of limitations is ten years from the discovery date.
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Chicago
If you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, you can file a lawsuit against the company or property that exposed you to asbestos. Under Illinois law, companies transporting asbestos must have licenses and follow proper training techniques. In addition, state laws strictly regulate the waste storage of asbestos. This has reduced the risk of mesothelioma among today’s population, but many older citizens are beginning to see the effects of the disease.
Up until the 1970s, companies used asbestos in their products, materials, and workplaces due to its perceived benefits, even though they knew the dangers of the mineral at the time. This is a form of negligence, and if you can tie the development of your mesothelioma back to a certain product or workplace, you can file a lawsuit against them.
Through a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma, you can recover the following damages:
- Medical expenses and costs
- Medications
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Other costs related to the cancer
Contact Our Asbestos Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, talk to Clifford Law Offices for a free case evaluation. Our law firm treats clients like family, fighting for your rights just as we would for our own children and spouses. Regardless of whether you are going through asbestos litigation or the aftermath of a car crash, we are ready to help.
To learn more about filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, contact us today to schedule a free consultation at our Chicago offices.
