You've Been Diagnosed with Malignant Mesothelioma. Now What?
Being diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma — whether the pleural form that affects the tissue surrounding the lungs or the peritoneal version that impacts the tissue lining the abdominal cavity — is sobering, confusing, infuriating, and terrifying all at once. You, your family, and your friends will be consumed by questions. As mesothelioma attorneys who've been representing victims of asbestos exposure for decades, we have the answers you need.
The most important questions to be answered are the ones about your health. While malignant mesothelioma is always considered terminal, many effective treatments can prolong your survival and provide improved quality of life. Though you may be most comfortable with your long-time physician, treatment at a multidisciplinary cancer facility will offer access to surgeons, oncologists, and other experts who will work together to create an individual treatment plan based on your goals, your condition and the specifics of your cancer.
Experience Matters
Our client service managers can assist you with finding the right treatment center and connecting you with a mesothelioma specialist.
Once your medical needs have been addressed, your next questions will look toward your future and the future of your family.
- You're worried about how to pay for your bills and your family's financial health.
- You know that mesothelioma comes from exposure to asbestos but you’re not sure how you were exposed.
- You're not sure whether your exposure qualifies for compensation, or how to get it.
- You don't know who to go to for help.
Let's look at each of those questions individually.
How Will I Pay for My Bills?
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Some exposures come from long-ago workplaces. Some people were exposed to asbestos in cosmetic talc products, while others trace their exposure back to asbestos carried home on their spouse's or sibling's or parent's work clothes. (This is known as secondary asbestos exposure.)
No matter how you were exposed, there's a very good chance that the company whose contaminated products you came into contact with knew about the dangers of asbestos but chose to keep their knowledge quiet. Putting profits over the health of people in this way is a form of negligence, and victims have the right to file claims for compensation for the damage they've suffered.
Mesothelioma victims can file personal injury claims against the companies that exposed them to asbestos. In some cases, these companies have faced so many asbestos lawsuits that they've filed for bankruptcy and set up asbestos trust funds specifically for the benefit of those they've harmed.
There is currently a total of $30 billion available from the dozens of companies that have set up trusts, and if your exposure was from one of the companies that have gone through this process, a claim for compensation can be submitted to their fund.
Companies that have not established asbestos bankruptcy trusts can be named in personal injury claims that can be resolved through jury trials or settled out of court. Other forms of compensation include workers' compensation, and veterans exposed to asbestos during their time in the service may be eligible for benefits from the VA.
Who Can I Trust?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask. With so many mesothelioma law firms vying for your attention and telling you they'll get you the most money, how can you possibly know who to trust, or which one you should choose?
One of the best ways to differentiate between firms is by speaking to previous clients. That's why you'll find so many testimonials on our website and in all of our printed materials. Our previous clients and their family members say more about the experience of working with Danziger & De Llano than we ever could, and what they'll tell you is that we truly care. The difference between Danziger & De Llano and all of the other firms is that, in addition to working to maximize your compensation, we go above and beyond to make sure that we're truly there for you, 24/7.
Danziger & De Llano's entire staff is fully dedicated to our clients. We'll work to match you with the attorney who is best suited to your claim based on the specifics of your case, but our efforts go far beyond legal representation. When you become one of our clients, you'll have access to us whenever you need us, right down to having our personal phone numbers. You can call us any time, day or night, weekday or weekend.
That may seem over-the-top, but it's a reflection of the compassion we feel for the people we represent. We know what a challenging disease mesothelioma is. We know the fear and the grief, the anxiety and the confusion. We're here for whatever you need, from assisting with finding the right physician to answering your questions as they arise. We're here to help you and your family in any way that we can, whenever you need us.
Want to hear more? Give us a call to speak to one of our knowledgeable Client Service Managers. We want to help, and we're happy to answer all your questions.