Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyers
Your Firm For Mesothelioma Legal Help
At Shein Law, our mesothelioma lawyers have over 100 years of experience practicing asbestos law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Our unique knowledge of worksites with high incidences of asbestos exposure has allowed us to recover over $750 million in compensation for our clients.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an incurable, aggressive, and deadly form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos-containing materials and products used during construction, repair, renovation, and demolition can harm your health. Asbestos fibers inhaled or ingested can cause cancer of the thin membrane around the lungs and other vital organs.
What Are the Different Types of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma starts in the lining of vital organs such as the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testes. This lining, known as mesothelium, produces lubrication that helps the organs move against one another properly. There are four basic types of mesothelioma, which differ based on where the tumor first develops. Each type of mesothelioma may have different cancer cells.
The following are the four types of mesothelioma:
- Pleural mesothelioma: Affects the pleura, the lining of the lungs.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma: Affects the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen.
- Pericardial mesothelioma: Affects the pericardium, the lining of the heart.
- Testicular mesothelioma: Affects the lining of the testicles.
What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
Doctors and patients often mistake mesothelioma symptoms for other, more common illnesses. However, anyone who experiences persistent coughing, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and chest pain should consult a medical professional as soon as possible. Symptoms of mesothelioma typically do not appear for 10 to 60 years after the first asbestos exposure. The sooner a patient receives a mesothelioma diagnosis, the sooner they can seek treatment to help extend their life.
Common symptoms of mesothelioma include:
- Dry cough
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Wheezing
- Respiratory complications
- Muscle weakness
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Because these symptoms can easily be confused with other illnesses, it is crucial to tell a doctor about any potential asbestos exposure in the past.
How Is Mesothelioma Treated?
Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, treatments can help extend life expectancy. Treatments for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other novel treatments. However, mesothelioma treatment options continually expand and should be tailored to each patient’s disease type, symptoms, and needs. Working with a doctor who specializes in mesothelioma and who will thoroughly review your medical history and help determine your best treatment options is critical.
What Are the Stages of Mesothelioma?
There are four stages of mesothelioma, beginning with stage I, which is when the cancer is localized where it originated. The mesothelioma stages move through stage 4, which is when the cancer has spread to other organs. Treatment options and life expectancy vary depending on the stage of the mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis.
What Workers Are the Most at Risk of Developing Mesothelioma?
The following types of workers are the most at risk of asbestos exposure:
- Auto mechanics
- Construction workers
- Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Insulation workers
- Painters and drywall workers
- Electricians
- Foundry workers
- Industrial workers
- Maintenance workers
- Power plant workers
- Railroad workers
- Refinery and steel workers
- Shipyard workers
- Longshore and dock workers
- Utility workers
- Tire workers
- Factory workers
- Veterans: United States Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marines
- United States Coast Guard
- Warehousers
Is Mesothelioma Common in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has one of the highest death rates from mesothelioma in the United States. This can be attributed to the state’s massive amount of industrial growth over the decades. Pennsylvania has numerous shipyards, steel mills, power plants, construction, and other industrial sites.
Decades of experience serving clients in the region has given our mesothelioma lawyers in Philadelphia extensive knowledge about how multiple generations can be affected by asbestos exposure and diseases.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Asbestos Disease Cases?
Our legal team can help determine who is responsible for your asbestos disease diagnosis. Often, multiple parties are liable for the harm they caused, making the legal process more complex. Our experienced mesothelioma lawyers can help you file claims against all responsible parties.
Individuals and entities that can be held liable in asbestos cases include:
- Employers who used or exposed their workers to asbestos and asbestos-containing products and materials.
- Owners and operators of properties where asbestos and asbestos-containing products and materials were used.
- Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products and materials.
- Distributors/suppliers of asbestos products and materials.
What Compensation Can I Recover in My Asbestos Case?
Our skilled Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers are committed to achieving justice for our clients and their families. At Shein Law, we advocate to recover the maximum compensation you and your family need and deserve after an asbestos disease diagnosis.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with lung cancer, mesothelioma, or another asbestos disease, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Cost of ongoing medical care
- Past and future lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket medication expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of spousal services
- Emotional distress
What Are Mesothelioma Settlements?
Typically, settlements are recovered from asbestos companies and their insurers. Many asbestos companies have filed for bankruptcy due to the onslaught of lawsuits. Bankruptcy courts require these companies to put money in asbestos trust funds to compensate current and future mesothelioma victims and their families.
How Long Does a Mesothelioma Case Take?
The length of asbestos-related lawsuits varies from case to case. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can determine your case’s best course of action and timeframe.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Mesothelioma Claim?
Pennsylvania law provides for a two-year statute of limitations for asbestos-related claims. This means a person or family must file a lawsuit within two years from when a licensed physician makes a diagnosis, connecting the health condition to asbestos exposure or when that person should have reasonably known that the illness is a result of asbestos exposure.
How Much Is My Claim Worth?
The value of a mesothelioma claim depends upon numerous factors, including age at diagnosis and/or death, length and significance of injuries, economic injuries such as lost wages and medical and hospital bills, and family circumstances.
What Are Mesothelioma and Asbestos Trust Funds?
The large number of asbestos lawsuits has led many manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of asbestos-containing products to file for bankruptcy. Over 100 companies have set aside $30 billion in funds to compensate asbestos victims and their families. Shein Law helps clients diagnosed with mesothelioma submit their claims and obtain compensation from these trust funds.
How Can a Mesothelioma Lawyer Help With My Case?
We value our clients’ trust in our legal guidance. Our mesothelioma lawyers will help you in the following ways:
- Identify liable parties responsible for your illness.
- Gather evidence.
- Review all medical records.
- Work with medical experts.
- Properly file claims according to all deadlines.
- Settle your claim through negotiations when possible.
- Take your case to trial in pursuit of a favorable verdict, if necessary.
Our Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyers at Shein Law Can Fight for Your Rights
Our experienced Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers at Shein Law can help if you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos disease. Call us at 877-743-4652 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
