Maine Mesothelioma Lawyer

Skilled Mesothelioma Attorney in Maine, KY

For many years in Maine, workers in various industries were exposed to asbestos on the job, and many others were exposed just by spending time in buildings containing asbestos. This exposure causes mesothelioma, and if you or a family member is diagnosed with this terminal cancer, it is crucial to speak with a Maine mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.

Representing Mesothelioma Cases in Maine

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can provide comprehensive legal support in the aftermath of your mesothelioma diagnosis. Many attorneys in Maine and throughout the US do not take these cases because of the amount of work they require, but we have a strong record that includes more than 40,000 clients nationwide. Our team is confident we can help you pursue accountability and compensation for this life-changing diagnosis. 

Mesothelioma cases are inherently challenging because of this cancer’s very long latency period. It can take decades for the first symptoms to appear after asbestos exposure, and early symptoms are often mistaken for signs of less serious conditions. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, and despite the fact that asbestos use has diminished significantly over the past few decades, there are still about 3,000 new diagnoses every year in the US. 

Our team will review the details of your situation and explain the legal services we can provide. Depending on how you were exposed, you could have multiple options for claiming compensation, and you can trust Kelley Ferraro, LLC to represent you throughout every stage of your legal proceedings. You have a short time to build this case, so it’s crucial that you hire a mesothelioma lawyer you can trust as soon as possible. 

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in Maine

Asbestos was used for decades in various applications throughout the US. In construction, it was considered a superior material for insulation and fireproofing. Various trades used asbestos products, including pipe coverings, gaskets, heat sinks, automotive parts, and more. Eventually, the health risks of asbestos became apparent, and the use of this material declined dramatically across the US. Today, asbestos use is tightly regulated. 

Some people have been exposed to asbestos from performing their job duties and from working in places like power plants, shipyards, and factories. Others have been exposed just from being inside residential and commercial buildings containing asbestos. The latency period for mesothelioma is usually decades. Someone could be exposed and not experience any symptoms for twenty or more years. 

The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs after asbestos particles are inhaled. Peritoneal mesothelioma can form in the abdominal cavity if asbestos is ingested, and in rare cases, pericardial mesothelioma can form around the heart. Once mesothelioma starts causing noticeable symptoms, it has usually progressed to an advanced stage. 

After your diagnosis, it is vital to hire a mesothelioma lawyer who can review the details of your work history and other evidence to determine your legal options. Depending on how, when, and where you were exposed, you could have multiple options for claiming compensation. Discerning the source of your condition can be extremely difficult without an attorney’s help. 

Determining what caused your condition is just the first challenge you face. You will then need to navigate complex legal proceedings as you pursue accountability and compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis. You can trust Kelley Ferraro, LLC to guide you through your legal proceedings, including:

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Many employers in Maine have workers’ compensation insurance that provides benefits to workers who suffer injuries on the job or develop occupational illnesses. If you can prove that you were exposed to asbestos at your current job and this has caused your mesothelioma diagnosis, then you may qualify to file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer. 

While this is worth investigating if available to you, it is important to remember that workers’ compensation is limited in what it can provide. You may receive compensation for your medical expenses and for the income you have been unable to earn. If your condition prevents you from returning to work, it’s possible to receive permanent disability benefits. 

Most employers handle employees’ workers’ compensation claims in good faith, but there is always a chance for you to encounter issues with your employer’s or their insurance company’s handling of your claim. Hire a mesothelioma lawyer who can help you negotiate appropriate benefits and resolve any issues you face after filing your claim. 

Filing a Claim to a Mesothelioma Trust Fund

Many of the US companies that formerly produced asbestos products were required to establish mesothelioma trust funds to compensate those discovered to have been harmed by those products. You may learn that the company responsible for your diagnosis is no longer operating, but they may have been required to establish one of these trust funds. Today, there are still dozens of active mesothelioma trust funds throughout the US. 

Filing a claim to one of these trust funds is relatively straightforward. Your Maine mesothelioma attorney can gather the medical records proving your diagnosis and the proof required to establish your eligibility. Most of these trust funds pay claims in percentages of the total remaining fund in an effort to preserve compensation for future claimants. 

You may have the choice between an expedited claim, which is usually much faster but will result in an overall smaller structured settlement, or an individual claim that will take much longer to process but could result in greater compensation. Your Maine mesothelioma lawyer can help you make an informed decision about your situation and pursue as much compensation as possible.

Claiming Compensation With a Personal Injury Case 

When a specific party’s negligence, regulatory noncompliance, or intentional misconduct caused the asbestos exposure that led to your mesothelioma diagnosis, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim for toxic exposure. In any personal injury case, the plaintiff must identify the party responsible for harming them and prove the full scope of the damages the defendant caused. 

Your Maine mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can help you gather the evidence you need to prove liability for your diagnosis. If you can successfully establish fault, then you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, any income you have been unable to earn due to your diagnosis, and your pain and suffering. In some of these cases, plaintiffs also receive liquidated or punitive damages. 

If you have lost a family member to mesothelioma, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the party responsible for causing their condition. Success with this type of case is more likely with a skilled attorney representing you, and Kelley Ferraro, LLC has successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide. 

Ultimately, receiving this diagnosis is life-changing in many ways, and you have a short time to pursue accountability if another party is responsible for the asbestos exposure that caused your condition. The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC are confident we can help you reach a favorable outcome in your case, so reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn more about our legal services. 

FAQs

How Much Asbestos Exposure Will Cause Mesothelioma? 

Any amount of asbestos exposure can potentially cause mesothelioma, but a single exposure may not always result in mesothelioma. The risk of developing mesothelioma increases with repeated exposure as well as with a genetic predisposition to developing cancer. Some people are exposed to asbestos repeatedly and never develop mesothelioma, while others may be diagnosed with mesothelioma after a single exposure. 

Can Mesothelioma Be Cured? 

No, mesothelioma cannot be cured. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of this cancer, has an average five-year relative survival rate of just 23% at the localized stage and just 11% once the cancer has spread throughout the body. Treatment can slow the cancer’s spread, but inevitably, mesothelioma is considered a terminal diagnosis. 

What Is a Mesothelioma Case Worth in Maine?

The value of your mesothelioma case in Maine depends on various factors. You could be eligible to claim compensation for all medical expenses related to your diagnosis, the income you are unable to earn, and your pain and suffering. Consult a Maine mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible to have a better chance of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. 

Why Should I Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer? 

You should hire a mesothelioma lawyer because these are inherently difficult cases in several ways, and you need an experienced attorney who can accurately assess the full extent of your legal options after this diagnosis. You’re not only more likely to reach a favorable outcome, but also more likely to obtain suitable compensation with an attorney representing you. 

Kelley Ferraro, LLC has years of proven experience handling mesothelioma cases nationwide, including for clients in Maine. We know that you are likely to have many difficult questions about your situation, and we can provide the legal guidance and support you need after your diagnosis. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced Maine mesothelioma lawyer to learn how we can help with your case.