Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that often goes undetected until too late. The latency period for mesothelioma can be 20-50 years after exposure, so many people don't realize they're at risk until it's too late.

Early detection gives mesothelioma cancer patients more options and better outcomes than later diagnoses. A failure to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis could signify medical malpractice in the later stages.

The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC provide free resources and information about asbestos and mesothelioma for those affected by this disease.

Contact a mesothelioma lawyer at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation.

Mesothelioma is a rare and lethal form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure at a workplace or living environment where the material is present.

For many years, manufacturers hid the dangers of asbestos from the public, placing millions at risk of preventable and needless deaths.

If you, or a loved one, have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you might not know where to turn for reliable medical and legal advice for your case. So it's important to speak to our mesothelioma lawyers.

This disease is often fatal, so family members are devastated when they learn that their loved ones have developed it due to long-term asbestos exposure.

The Chicago, Illinois personal injury attorneys in the law firms of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC can help you pursue a legal asbestos lawsuit case, workers' compensation case, and justice that you or a loved one seek to hold these companies accountable for everything you have endured.

To learn more about how our legal team may help, contact our legal team for a free case evaluation with an experienced Chicago mesothelioma attorney with a proven track record representing people and families harmed by asbestos and other personal injuries.

Our law firm is actively involved in the personal injury lawsuits involving talcum powder after a malignant mesothelioma diagnosis. Learn about our talcum powder litigation here.

Our top Chicago mesothelioma lawyers currently represent clients in various practice areas throughout the United States, Illinois, including Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, Will County, and Chicago, Illinois.

The Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Since mesothelioma results from the steady accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs, mesothelioma victims can live without symptoms for decades before the disease's onset.

It is common for some people to develop diseases long after leaving the environment exposed to asbestos. Initially, the illness might be mistaken for other common and less severe respiratory illnesses, but mesothelioma symptoms quickly.

The symptoms associated with peritoneal mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, and other types of mesothelioma cancer include:

• Unexplained weight loss accompanied by fatigue
• Loss of appetite and nausea
• Pain in the chest that does not go away with treatment
• Coughing and shortness of breath
• Lung cancer
• Painful breathing
• Accumulation of fluid surrounding the protective lining of the lungs

If you have ever been exposed to asbestos in the past, you must treat any respiratory symptoms as warnings of a more aggressive form of cancerous cells. Early detection is key to a better chance of survival.

Our mesothelioma attorneys in Chicago, Illinois, have experience with the following industries occupations.

Cases where workers are routinely victims of asbestos exposure include:

• Construction workers and excavation
• Shipbuilding
• Power plant work
• Textile factory work
• Glasswork
• Electronics manufacturing
• Steelworking
• Pipefitting
• Firefighting
• Railroad work
• Farming and agriculture
• Chemical plants
• Food processing plant work
• Auto manufacturing and repair
• Aerospace manufacturing
• Insulation installation
• Carpentry
• Machining
• Naval yard work
• Painting

Diagnosing Mesothelioma

The first step in diagnosing mesothelioma is determining if the individual has been exposed to asbestos. If so, the doctor will order one or more tests to look for Mesothelioma cancer cells.

These tests may include:

• Imaging tests – X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans can help the doctor look for tumors in the chest or abdomen.
• Biopsy – The doctor will remove a small tissue sample to be examined under a microscope. Several biopsies can be performed, including needle, thoracoscopy, and laparoscopy.

Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, the doctor will then stage the disease. Staging is a way of describing how far cancer has spread. There are three main stages of mesothelioma:

• Stage I – The cancer is confined to one area.
• Stage II – Cancer has spread to nearby tissues or organs.
• Stage III – Cancer has spread to outside the nearby tissues and organs
• Stage IV – Cancer has metastasized (spread to distant parts of the body)

Mesothelioma Prognosis

The survival rate after a diagnosis of mesothelioma depends on many factors, including the stage of the disease, the type of mesothelioma, and the age and general health of the patient.

In general, patients with early-stage mesothelioma have a better prognosis than those with late-stage disease. The five-year survival rate for patients with early-stage mesothelioma is about 50%. The five-year survival rate for patients with late-stage mesothelioma is less than 10%.

Patients with epithelial mesothelioma tend to have a better prognosis than those with other types of mesothelioma. The five-year survival rate for patients with epithelial mesothelioma is about 50%. The five-year survival rate for patients with different types of mesothelioma is less than 10%.

Getting Treatment for Mesothelioma in Illinois

Thankfully, hospitals and medical facilities today offer specialized treatment for malignant mesothelioma.

It is best to seek an experienced treatment center if you need care. Among the most recognized mesothelioma treatment facilities in the Chicago, Il area (Cook County) is the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, located at 1850 Silver Cross Blvd. in New Lenox.

This center has more than twenty-five years of experience treating people with the disease and offers treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Mesothelioma treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The best treatment option for a patient depends on the stage of the disease, the type of mesothelioma, and the age and general health of the patient.

Surgery is the most common treatment for mesothelioma. There are two types of surgery used to treat mesothelioma:

• Pleurodesis – This surgery is used to treat pleural mesothelioma. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the diseased tissue lining the chest cavity and then fills the space with a substance that helps to prevent fluid from building up again.
• Pleurectomy – This surgery is used to treat pleural mesothelioma. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the diseased tissue lining the chest cavity and some of the healthy tissue surrounding it.

Other State Facilities with Experience in Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Treatment

• University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago
  1740 West Taylor St. Chicago, Illinois 60612
• Decatur Memorial Hospital Cancer Care Institute
  James L. Wade III, MD, 210 W. McKinley Ave. Decatur, Illinois 62526
• Ingalls Memorial Hospital
  Mark F. Kozloff, MD One Ingalls Dr., Harvey, Illinois 60426
• Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital
  James E. Hannigan, MD 1325 Memorial Dr., LaGrange, Illinois 60525
• Illinois CancerCare
  Paul A.S. Fishkin, M.D., Srinivas Jujjavarapu, M.D. 8940 N. Wood Sage Rd. Peoria, Illinois 61615-7828
• Carle Cancer Center
  Kendrith M. Rowland, MD 509 W. University Ave. Urbana, Illinois 61801
• Loyola University Chicago Medical Center, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
  Kathy Albain, MD 2160 S. First Ave. Maywood, Illinois 60153

Similarities Between the Asbestos Industry and Big Tobacco

In the same way that the tobacco industry manipulated scientific research to downplay its products' health risks, asbestos manufacturers hid the risks of long-term asbestos exposure to their goods from the public for decades. It is estimated that as many as 15,000 people die each year due to asbestos-associated illnesses.

A wrongful death lawsuit can help families move on after their loved one's preventable death. Of these, 3,000 die due to mesothelioma. Families might have grounds to file wrongful death lawsuits against the asbestos manufacturer in these mesothelioma cases.

While many asbestos products have been banned in the United States, it is still permitted in several industries, such as construction materials and power plants.

It is a useful flame retardant and acts as an effective insulator, binder, and fire-prevention material.

It also has applications in the clothing industry and was once used in several consumer goods until the link was discovered between those goods and conditions such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Military Asbestos Use

Its flame-retardant properties prompted the military's use of asbestos, manufacturing nearly every naval vessel produced in the World War II era in shipyards, jeeps, and other military equipment.

The objective was to prevent the spread of fires throughout ships and make military hardware more resilient to enemy fire. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure involving military members led to many mesothelioma cases.

As early as 1920, asbestos manufacturers were aware of the links between their products and asbestos-related illness but continued to produce and sell the goods while withholding knowledge from the public.

By 1970, regulators banned many goods containing the substance. However, since it has a long latency period in the human body, mesothelioma victims can take as much as 50 years to develop cancer following exposure.

Many of those exposed to asbestos have not become ill until now, leading to a growing need for attorneys for mesothelioma and asbestos litigation. A mesothelioma lawyer specializes in resolving cases to compensate victims for the past medical bills and future medical expenses.

How a Mesothelioma Attorney Obtains Compensation Resolving Personal Injury Lawsuits

Our national mesothelioma law firms and top mesothelioma lawyers have acquired substantial verdicts and settlements to resolve our client's cases. Our firm's best mesothelioma lawyer specializes in holding negligent asbestos companies legally and financially accountable and have acquired money through asbestos trust fund claims.

Are you confused by the mesothelioma claims' legal process and don't know how to find a mesothelioma lawyer who can file a compensation claim on your behalf? Many victims of asbestos exposure who were diagnosed with illnesses caused by asbestos have used the track record of success of our top mesothelioma lawyers to obtain maximum compensation for their damages.

Contact experienced asbestos attorneys today to schedule a risk-free consultation to discuss your legal options. Our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers can advise you of the applicable statute of limitations for your asbestos-related injury to obtain maximum mesothelioma compensation from the insurance company, which may help pay your medical expenses.

Mesothelioma Trial Verdicts and Settlements

A top asbestos lawyer from our national mesothelioma law firm routinely reviews verdicts and settlements across America.

Many of these cases have involved our experienced mesothelioma attorneys, who have secured financial compensation for clients harmed through asbestos exposure. Some of the top mesothelioma/asbestos lawsuits include:

$30 Million Mesothelioma Settlement, Florida

In 2021, a top mesothelioma attorney negotiated a financial compensation claim worth $30 million for a Navy veteran and power plant worker from Florida diagnosed with asbestos cancer, mesothelioma.

This case resolution is one of the highest reported mesothelioma settlements in US history. After years of litigation against more than 30 companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products, the settlement came.

In early 2022, a Florida jury awarded the mesothelioma patient $30 million in punitive damages. The total value of the settlement is $48.5 million, which is believed to be one of the largest mesothelioma settlements ever paid to a single individual in American history.

The verdict was against 33 companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products and was aware of the dangers but failed to warn consumers.

The plaintiff was a Navy veteran and power plant worker exposed to asbestos while working on ships and boilers. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2019 and died less than a year later.

$29 Million Mesothelioma Verdict, California

A Los Angeles jury awarded a mesothelioma victim $29 million in early 2020. The verdict was against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and its subsidiary, Ethicon, Inc.

One of the top mesothelioma law firms represented the 73-year-old male plaintiff who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos from J&J's Baby Powder and other products.

His mesothelioma lawyer proved that their client used the products for more than 50 years, starting when he was a teenager. The jury found that J&J was aware of the dangers of asbestos in its products but failed to warn consumers. The verdict included $27 million in punitive damages.

$22 Million Mesothelioma Verdict, Pennsylvania

In 2019, a Philadelphia jury awarded a mesothelioma patient $22 million. The verdict was against Armstrong World Industries, Inc., and several other companies.

The plaintiff was a 77-year-old man who developed mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos from Armstrong's flooring products. He worked as a tile setter and installer for more than 20 years, starting in the early 1960s.

The jury found that Armstrong was aware of the dangers of asbestos in its products but failed to warn consumers. The verdict included $21 million in punitive damages.

This case resolution is one of the largest mesothelioma verdicts in Pennsylvania history.

$18 Million Mesothelioma Verdict, California

Mesothelioma attorneys won a case in San Francisco, where the jury awarded a victim $18 million in 2019. The verdict was against 3M Company and other companies.

The plaintiff was a 72-year-old man who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos from 3M's respirators. His case involving mesothelioma claims reports that he worked as a power plant operator for more than 20 years, starting in the early 1970s.

The jury found that 3M was aware of the dangers of asbestos in its products but failed to warn consumers. The verdict included $17 million in punitive damages, making it one of the largest asbestos verdicts against 3M in the US.

$17 Million Mesothelioma Verdict, New York

In 2019, a New York jury awarded a mesothelioma victim $17 million to resolve asbestos litigation. The verdict was against General Electric Company and several other companies.

The plaintiff was a 71-year-old man who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos from GE's turbines. He worked as a turbine operator for more than 20 years, starting in the early 1970s.

The jury found that GE was aware of the dangers of asbestos in its products but failed to warn consumers. The $17 million verdict that included $16 million in punitive damages was among one of the highest in all national mesothelioma lawsuits in American history.

$15 Million Mesothelioma Verdict, Florida

In 2019, a Florida jury awarded a mesothelioma patient $15 million. The verdict was against the asbestos manufacturer of brake parts and several other companies.

The case's asbestos lawyers stated the 72-year-old male plaintiff developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos from brake parts' products. He worked as a mechanic for more than 40 years, starting in the early 1970s.

The jury found that brake parts were aware of the dangers of asbestos in its products but failed to warn consumers. The injured victim's mesothelioma attorney sought and won a verdict of $14 million in punitive damages.

This mesothelioma attorney case is one of the largest mesothelioma verdicts in asbestos litigation against a brake parts manufacturer ever in the United States.

Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyers Dedicated to Protecting the Legal Rights of Meso Victims

The asbestos industry comprises powerful and influential corporations with well-paid and experienced legal teams.

For this reason, you must rely on only the best mesothelioma lawyers to bring your case to trial. An Illinois mesothelioma lawyer from our law offices in the state has experience negotiating mesothelioma lawsuit settlements so that you recover the damages you are entitled to receive.

Every mesothelioma lawyer has access to vital resources needed to ensure that you have the best chance of survival, including medical specialists. In addition, our legal team can communicate on your behalf with Medicare and file paperwork for Social Security Disability benefits.

Your asbestos lawyer can give you a fighting chance by connecting you with the best physicians available and ensuring that you have the resources you need to pay for the health issues you've developed due to asbestos exposure.

Have you lost a loved one? Consider working with a Chicago mesothelioma lawyer from our national law firm who will aggressively seek compensation on your behalf.

Do you need an experienced mesothelioma attorney specializing in personal injury claims?

Asbestos victims can ensure that our mesothelioma lawyers work to ensure maximum compensation. There is no reason any company should profit at the expense of other people's lives.

Our mesothelioma attorneys will help your family send that critical message to any corporation that should consider doing so in the future. Our top mesothelioma law firms work through the legal process of resolving mesothelioma lawsuits for our injured clients.

Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma Lawyer FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions related to mesothelioma lawsuits and legal claims. Our mesothelioma attorneys appreciate that you may have additional questions. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer has answered some of those questions below.

Contact a mesothelioma lawyer at (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form for additional information, legal options or discuss how to file a mesothelioma claim for financial compensation.

Every asbestos attorney from our law firm provides a free consultation for each injured victim of asbestos exposure.

Is Mesothelioma Painful and Wrongful Death?

Typically, dying from an asbestos-related disease is a painful experience. However, mesothelioma doctors often treat their dying patients during their final days with medication to treat chest pain.

Dying mesothelioma patients often experience pain when breathing, along with other warning signs that include:

• Shortness of breath
• Loss of mobility
• Night fever and sweats
• Chest tightness
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
• A sense of malaise
• Severe weight loss
• Coughing up blood
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Chest pain

What Organs Are Affected by Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is deadly cancer affecting membrane tissue in essential organs, including the heart, abdomen, and lungs. Doctors can treat the disease using immunotherapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgical procedures.

Mesothelioma cancer can affect the individuals' mental stability leading to sadness, anxiety, and depression. Over time, the victim might become forgetful, confused, or live with brain fog that results from chemotherapy treatment.

How Long Does It Take for Mesothelioma to Kill You?

Some patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are offered surgical treatments to increase their life expectancies. Typically, peritoneal mesothelioma patients have a life expectancy of five years or more from the initial diagnosis.

Doctors categorize the levels of pleural mesothelioma to identify the different stages and determine average life expectancy. For example, during the initial stages (1 and 2), the patient could live 19 to 21 months.

Advance pleural mesothelioma patients (stages 3 and 4) have an average life expectancy of sixteen months or less.

Can Something Other Than Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma?

Medical scientists have long known that asbestos use is a leading factor in developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

However, a victim of asbestos exposure accounts for only a small portion of affected patients. Asbestos products are still sold in numerous marketplaces, though some of it has been banned.

Not every injured victim is harmed because they were exposed to asbestos. Some non-asbestos-related causes that lead to many disease cases include erionite, a volcanic material that produces lung inflammation.

Does Mesothelioma Affect the Brain?

According to the National Institute of Health, there have been rare asbestos cases where individuals with mesothelioma have had the condition metastasized to the brain. Scientists have also found metastasized mesothelioma tumors in the patient's cerebral cortex, brainstem, and cerebellum.

However, these tumors are often found during an autopsy.

Do Asbestos Trust Funds Provide Compensation for Patients Diagnosed with Mesothelioma?

Yes, asbestos trust funds provide money for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. The Asbestos Injury Compensation Fund is a program that offers financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.

The Asbestos Injury Compensation Fund offers two types of mesothelioma compensation and benefits:

• Medical benefits to cover the cost of medical treatment and related expenses, including physical rehabilitation;
• Financial benefits to cover lost income due to missed work due to illness.

To be eligible for mesothelioma compensation, a patient or their asbestos attorneys must prove that they were exposed to the material and developed an asbestos-related disease.

Mesothelioma and asbestos litigation have occurred in every state. Typically, an asbestos attorney has helped victims and surviving family members.

These plaintiffs filing mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits should consider legal representation. Choosing to hire a mesothelioma lawyer can lead to a successful resolution.

Is the legal process to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against asbestos companies challenging?

Not all national law firms accepting cases in personal injury law have a successful track record when resolving mesothelioma cases for financial compensation. Asbestos litigation is a complex practice area in civil tort law.

Our mesothelioma law firms nationwide have experienced asbestos attorneys that understand the process of filing a mesothelioma claim. A mesothelioma lawyer from our law firm helps injured victims and their families review their legal options or file a mesothelioma lawsuit on their behalf to hold the negligent asbestos companies accountable.

Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer from Our Successful Asbestos Law Firms Specializing in Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Our experienced mesothelioma lawyers cost you nothing upfront. Our law firm operates solely on a contingency fee basis to allow people of all financial backgrounds to access top-quality legal services. If our law firm does not successfully win your personal injury case, you owe your asbestos attorney nothing.

The Chicago asbestos lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC also represent injured individuals in talcum powder ovarian cancer compensation legal claims throughout the state and nation.

Contact our Illinois asbestos lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or through the contact form to schedule a free consultation. Speak with our best mesothelioma lawyer.

All information shared about your mesothelioma claim with our asbestos lawyers remains confidential through an attorney-client relationship.

Resources:

• OHSA – The Hazards of Asbestos
• CDC – Malignant Mesothelioma