Grand Rapids Mesothelioma Lawyer

Knowledgeable Mesothelioma Attorney in Grand Rapids, MI

When facing mesothelioma, you may have questions about where you were exposed to asbestos and what legal options may still be available to you years later. A Grand Rapids mesothelioma lawyer can help you and your family investigate potential asbestos exposure.

Grand Rapids’ history includes manufacturing industries, furniture production and development companies, auto supply companies, and business expansion. Mesothelioma cases in Grand Rapids may include legal claims brought in association with the Kent County Courthouse at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

About Kelley Ferraro, LLC 

Kelley Ferraro, LLC, has been serving asbestos victims and families for almost three decades. Our firm has worked on nearly 55,000 asbestos cases nationwide and has recovered over $1 billion for asbestos and mesothelioma clients. Keep in mind that past results are not a guarantee of a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

Although we handle most of our asbestos claims in Ohio, we also work with many of the country’s top law firms on complicated mesothelioma cases and appear all over the country on an as-needed basis pro hac vice.

Understanding Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is the result of asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can lodge in the body for decades. As the fibers become embedded in tissue around the lungs, abdomen, or heart, they can cause mesothelioma to develop.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form and affects the lining of the lungs. Symptoms may include pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, chronic cough, fatigue, and weight loss. Many of these symptoms mimic those of other respiratory conditions, so diagnosis is often delayed until the disease has progressed.

Occupational Health and Safety Administration asbestos standards were the first federal regulations on asbestos safety. Environmental Protection Agency asbestos regulations were later developed to further restrict asbestos use and protect workers from asbestos exposure. Many of those diagnosed with mesothelioma worked in jobs where they were exposed to asbestos before these mesothelioma laws were put in place.

Evidence to Help Your Case

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2,669 cases of mesothelioma were reported in the United States in 2022. This amounted to a rate of 0.6 per 100,000 people. This rate was higher for men, with the rate being 1.0 as opposed to 0.4 for women. When a person is diagnosed, they can file a claim against the responsible parties for compensation. 

Mesothelioma can take decades to develop. You need to prove that you were exposed to asbestos and where you were exposed. Evidence plays a key role in these types of cases. To build your case in Grand Rapids, MI, we must ascertain which products you encountered or which businesses employed you when the asbestos exposure happened.

Because exposure can happen decades prior to diagnosis, we can dig deep to find union records, employment history, and military records if you spent time in the service. Some evidence that is used in mesothelioma cases includes:

• Medical evidence and records
• Employment records
• Military records
• Statements from witnesses
• Information about where you worked and/or products you worked with that may have contained asbestos

Some workers were exposed to asbestos on multiple job sites. We work to identify all of your exposure locations, employers, and manufacturers who may be responsible for your exposure. Companies that have gone out of business may have set up trust funds for individuals who were diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. We can investigate whether or not there are any trust funds that could compensate you for your diagnosis.

Manufacturing records can become lost over time. As a result, we have access to resources that can identify where you may have been exposed to asbestos.

Available Compensation

Following a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation through a legal claim or settlement. You may also be entitled to compensation through an asbestos trust fund. If your loved one has passed away from mesothelioma, you may file a wrongful death claim with the help of a Grand Rapids mesothelioma attorney. Possible damages include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Cost of travel to receive treatment

Family members who file a wrongful death claim may be entitled to compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and more. There is no standard settlement amount for mesothelioma cases. Each situation is unique and should be handled as such. Factors that affect compensation include the severity of the mesothelioma, available evidence, and how many companies may be responsible.

FAQs

What Are the Four Major Asbestos-Related Diseases?

Mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural disease are the four diseases most commonly associated with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining that covers the body’s organs. Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by scar tissue from asbestos fibers. 

Pleural disease is a condition characterized by thickening or fluid buildup around the lungs. Most of these diseases take many years to develop after exposure to asbestos in the workplace or in the environment.

What Is Considered a Large Settlement Amount?

There is no single answer to how much a mesothelioma settlement can be. The amount of your settlement typically depends on your medical bills, level of injury, lost wages, and how many parties are responsible for your illness. While some mesothelioma settlements are in the six or seven figures, every situation is different. In general, the more exposure you have and the greater damages you have suffered, the higher your settlement can be.

What Is the Rarest Form of Mesothelioma?

Pericardial mesothelioma is thought to be the least common type of mesothelioma. It involves the lining around the heart and makes up a tiny fraction of mesothelioma cases. Symptoms can be similar to other heart-related issues, so it can be difficult to diagnose. Most cases of mesothelioma occur in the lungs or the abdominal area.

What Is the Longest Someone Has Lived With Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is considered an aggressive cancer, but some patients have lived for years after diagnosis. With earlier detection and aggressive treatment, some mesothelioma patients have reportedly survived for 10 years or more. 

Survival of patients with mesothelioma can vary greatly from patient to patient. Factors that may influence the survival of a patient with mesothelioma include the type and stage of mesothelioma, overall health, and response to treatment.

Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer Today 

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to hire a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible. Kelley Ferraro, LLC, can help. Contact us today for more information.