Asbestosis
Death
Asbestosis is considered to be a non-cancer respiratory disease associated with asbestos exposure. It was listed in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the cause of 20,317 deaths during 1999 - 2013. Asbestosis was registered as the main cause of death in the case of 40 to 50 percent of asbestosis victims. The severity of this disease depends on the length and amount of asbestos exposure. There is no cure for asbestosis because there is no way to repair lung damage caused by the asbestos exposure.
Asbestos exposure may result in:
- Asbestosis
- Ovarian Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
What is the next step after being diagnosed with asbestosis?
Once you've been diagnosed with asbestosis, the next step is to find out more about the treatment options. The available treatments will mostly depend on how much the disease has progressed. If it's discovered early enough, certain treatments such as medications and surgery can be effective. When it's diagnosed in the later stages oxygen and medications may provide a symptom relief.
How long will I live?
Asbestosis life expectancy depends on the way things evolve if the patient develops a more serious asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma. It is not normal for patients diagnosed with asbestosis to die prematurely, but if this disease transforms into a type of cancer such as mesothelioma the life expectancy will decrease dramatically. In some cases, the effect of the disease causes only mild symptoms. Still, there are situations when the disease reduces the flow of oxygen which can sometimes be fatal.
Is there anything else I can do after I've been diagnosed with asbestosis?
If you've been diagnosed with asbestosis you can hire a specialized asbestos lawyer that can help you file a claim. Fortunately, you won't have to go to court, asbestosis claims are resolved only through the asbestos bankruptcy trust claims process. Each trust is managed based on a set of rules that must be strictly followed to be qualified for the trust payment. The lawyer will help you gather the necessary evidence to win the trust claim.
Do I need to have years of exposure to file a claim?
In general, a good trust claimant must prove 5 years of asbestos exposure before November 30, 1980. The best evidence of asbestos exposure is work experience at one of the hundred sites known for exposing workers. However, you can also prove exposure through mechanical work, military service, and home renovations.
Will my family be able to file a claim on my behalf if I die?
Yes, claims for deceased victims are available. Compensation to surviving members of the family is allowed but there are some proof requirements. Certain co-workers must be identified and contacted to give the lawyer the information needed so that the claim is successful. Proceeds for deceased victims are distributed to successors according to state law.
Mesothelioma
Death
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that evolves from the thin layer of tissue also known as mesothelium that protects many internal organs. It was listed in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the cause of 39,870 deaths from 1999 - 2013. In most of the cases, death records do not show the exact type or subtype of cancer. There is no cure for mesothelioma, there are only advanced treatments at the moment that are helping people live longer with this terrible disease.
Asbestos exposure may result in:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung Cancer
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Laryngeal/Esophageal Cancer
What is the next step after being diagnosed with mesothelioma?
After you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma the next step is to find out more about the treatment options. The clinical trials and current therapies are helping may people that have an early stage of mesothelioma live at least three or more than five years. Innovative therapies such as immunotherapy are helping late-stage mesothelioma patients to live around three years.
How long will I live?
The average survival rate for stage I pleural mesothelioma is around two years without any treatment. If patients undergo a pneumonectomy surgery they will live a bit over three years. Almost 30% of stage II pleural patients live that long after surgery. For peritoneal mesothelioma with stage II, the survival rate is around five years only if they undergo aggressive treatments such as heated chemotherapy. In stage III patients with pleural mesothelioma that undergo intensive surgery can live more than 16 months.
Is there anything else I can do after I've been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma and can't afford to pay the medical bills and other financial hardships, you can choose to hire a mesothelioma attorney to represent you in court. If you prefer to avoid the legal route you can choose other forms of financial assistance such as a trust claim. A mesothelioma attorney will evaluate your information, and help you decide if filing a trust claim or lawsuit would help your case more.
Can I speak with a mesothelioma lawyer later?
Even if investing your time and energy into treatment in order to feel better is the most important thing, you must know that mesothelioma lawsuits are time sensitive. Based upon your location, laws of the state may forbid you from filing a claim one or two years after learning about your diagnosis.
Will my family be able to file a claim on my behalf if I die?
Yes, mesothelioma claims are not limited to people who have been exposed to asbestos. Loved ones of people that died from mesothelioma can also file a claim on the behalf of the deceased. Usually, the family members can step in as plaintiffs if their loved one has filed a lawsuit but passed away before resolution. In other cases, families file their own wrongful death lawsuits to pay for multiple expenses.