Mesothelioma lawyers in Houston
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Mesothelioma is an aggressive and fatal cancer that comes from ingesting asbestos fibers. Anyone who is exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma. Occupations that are exposed to construction sites or chemicals are at great risk, and people in the military may be at higher risk than civilians for asbestos exposure.
Exposure to asbestos could give rise to a personal injury claim. Unfortunately, many manufacturers continue to use asbestos because of its heat-resistant properties, and asbestos can be found almost anywhere.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos or has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, call our Houston personal injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation. We will do our best to locate a personal injury attorney near you.
what is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer. This cancer occurs in the layers of tissue that covers the internal organs called the mesothelium. Mesothelioma most often occurs in the tissue that surrounds the lungs. Mesothelioma is aggressive and is usually fatal. While some treatments are available, there is no cure.
According to the American Lung Association, approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed every year in the United States. The number of cases has declined in the last 20 to 30 years, mostly due to a reduction of exposure to asbestos in construction and jobs.
What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
The symptoms of mesothelioma—if the cancer is in the lungs—may include chest pain, shortness of breath, painful coughing, unexpected weight loss, and unusual lumps on the chest. Mesothelioma is rarely found in other tissues in the body, but the symptoms could include pain in the affected area, swelling, nausea, and unexpected weight loss.
Unfortunately, mesothelioma is usually diagnosed once the cancer has already advanced into a later stage and symptoms are finally present. Contact a mesothelioma attorney in Houston if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
How is Mesothelioma Treated?
There is no cure for cancer or for mesothelioma; however, catching the cancer early enough usually helps improve the chances of surviving. Surgery may be able to remove some of the mesothelioma or help reduce symptoms such as fluid buildup in the lungs that makes breathing difficult. Chemotherapy is a form of treatment that uses chemicals put intravenously into the body to help reduce the growth of mesothelioma.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure is believed to be the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with strong fibers that are very heat and fire resistant. Prior to the 1970s, before the health risks of asbestos were known, asbestos was readily used in construction; it is now banned from use, but many older buildings and homes still contain asbestos.
Because of its fire-resistant properties, asbestos is useful for insulation, flooring, ceilings, and other construction projects and products. During the mining or processing of asbestos, or the removal of asbestos insulation, the mineral can create a dust of tiny asbestos fibers. These fibers, if inhaled or swallowed, can settle into the lungs or stomach and cause irritation. It can take several years for mesothelioma to develop, though, as long as 20 to 60 years.
Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma, but prolonged exposure will put someone at risk of developing it. Most people who develop mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Other risk factors for developing mesothelioma could include a predisposition to cancer, but asbestos exposure is generally accepted as the biggest risk factor.
Contact a Houston mesothelioma attorney if you believe you were exposed to asbestos at any time. Speaking to someone who has handled mesothelioma cases before and can answer some of your questions may help relieve some of your worry.
who is at risk for mesothelioma?
Anyone who is exposed to asbestos, especially for long periods of time or in large quantities, is at risk for developing mesothelioma. However, certain professions have more opportunities to be exposed to asbestos, so these professions are likely to see a higher percentage of mesothelioma cases. The following are some professions that have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma due to increased asbestos exposure:
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- Firefighters
- Insulators
- Mechanics
- Military
- Millers
- Miners
- Oil and gas refinery workers
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Power plant workers
- Railroad workers
- Remodelers
Additionally, many workers at these occupations unknowingly carry asbestos fibers home on their clothes, hair, or body. This puts family members at risk of asbestos exposure without them ever having been at the workplace location. If you or someone in your household worked in one of the professions listed above and were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our personal injury attorneys today.
how to prevent or limit asbestos exposure
Even though the use of asbestos has been banned for more than 30 years, some occupations still use it, and it can be found in older buildings. The first step would be to ask your employer if you are at risk of inhaling asbestos at work. If there is a risk, be sure to follow all safety practices; this may include wearing a proper mask as well as showering and changing clothes after work.
If you live in an older home that was built using asbestos, it may be safer to leave the asbestos rather than remove it; asbestos removal can be dangerous because it will release asbestos fibers into the air that could be inhaled. If you are concerned about the asbestos levels in your home, contact a qualified expert to test the air so that you may determine whether you and your household are at risk. Asbestos professionals can help with removal if necessary, so do not attempt to remove asbestos yourself.
asbestos laws in texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services is responsible for regulating most of the asbestos laws in the state. Texans who handle asbestos must be trained, licensed, and certified within the state.
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury and wrongful death claims. If you fail to bring a claim within two years, you will lose your rights to recover compensation. Because mesothelioma takes years to develop and diagnose, the statute of limitations would begin from the date of diagnosis or from the date of death from mesothelioma.
To avoid missing the filing deadline, it is important to gather evidence as quickly as possible to support your claim. An experienced lawyer who has dealt with mesothelioma claims will be able to assist you in this process.
The victim must also have proof of their diagnosis as confirmed by a physician. Additionally, they must show that the exposure occurred in the last 10 years and must prove the level of asbestos exposure they experienced. These strict regulations are due to a high-volume of asbestos-related lawsuits.
what expenses can legal compensation help cover?
If you are successful in your legal claim against an employer or builder owner who put you at risk of asbestos exposure that led to mesothelioma, legal compensation can help cover expenses related to the cancer diagnosis. Some common expenses for mesothelioma clients include:
- Burial costs
- Caregiver expenses
- Emotional distress
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of income
- Medical treatment costs
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future medical expenses
- Prescriptions and medications
- Therapy and grief support
- Travel expenses
- Wrongful death
Legal compensation is available to you and your family if you were victims of mesothelioma or if your family member died as a result of mesothelioma. There are many ways to recover for your losses associated with your mesothelioma diagnosis. Contact one of our mesothelioma personal injury attorneys in Houston to see if we can help.
Who can you sue for asbestos exposure?
Since it takes many years for mesothelioma to develop, it can be difficult to pinpoint when asbestos exposure occurred. Our team can assist with a thorough investigation that can help determine when and where you or your family was exposed to asbestos.
There may be several legal options for you to choose from when it comes to holding the appropriate party responsible; for example, you may choose to file a lawsuit, which could result in settlement or trial. You may choose to file a claim against the particular organization, job, or building owner who exposed you to asbestos. You may file a claim with an Asbestos Trust Fund or the Veterans Administration, if applicable.
Your legal strategy will be determined based on your individual circumstances and how you were exposed. The particular harm that mesothelioma has caused you and your family will also be factored into your compensation amount. Having advice from our experienced personal injury lawyers knowledgeable in mesothelioma is crucial to obtaining the maximum compensation.
Get Help from Houston mesothelioma Lawyers
At Zinda Law Group, our mesothelioma attorneys in Houston are experienced and have handled many cases involving victims of asbestos exposure and diagnosed mesothelioma. We have the knowledge and resources necessary to help you determine what to do next and to help recover the best possible outcome for your case.
Call us today at (800) 863-5312 for a free and confidential consultation with one of our mesothelioma lawyers in Houston; if you decide to retain us, we will connect you with a no win, no pay lawyer. You will pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
