Cleveland Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is a terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure. While this is not the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US, new cases appear every year due to asbestos exposure that happened years ago. In Cleveland, the city’s aging infrastructure, older buildings, and historical industries like manufacturing, steel refining, and construction have exposed many to asbestos. A Cleveland mesothelioma lawyer can help if you believe you are such a victim.

Representing Mesothelioma Claims in Cleveland, OH

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have nearly 30 years of experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide. In Cleveland, we can help our clients identify the most likely sources of asbestos exposure that caused their mesothelioma and determine their most viable legal options. Our goal in every case is to help our client approach these proceedings with peace of mind and recover as much compensation as possible for their damages.

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you have a dedicated advocate who can answer your questions and address your concerns as your case unfolds. We take time to listen to each client’s story, learn how their diagnosis has affected their life, and provide individualized guidance and support so they can approach their case with confidence. You have a short time to build and file your case, so you should consult our team as soon as possible.

Our team of trial attorneys excels at resolving cases that many other attorneys do not accept. One of the most challenging aspects of a mesothelioma case is the volume of research it requires. You may need to review decades’ worth of employment records and other evidence to accurately pinpoint the most likely source of your exposure and determine liability for your diagnosis. We can help with this and will pursue as much compensation as possible on your behalf.

Asbestos Exposure in Cleveland

According to Asbestos Nation, there have been 2,353 recorded deaths from mesothelioma in Ohio between 1999 and 2017. In Cuyahoga County, 1,599 asbestos-related deaths were recorded during this time. Cleveland is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the state, and for many years, asbestos was used in many construction projects for its fireproofing and insulating properties.

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and one of the most challenging aspects of this cancer is that it has a very long latency period. It can sometimes take decades for symptoms to appear, and the early symptoms are commonly mistaken for other, less serious illnesses. Once symptoms have appeared, however, the disease will have already progressed to a critical stage.

When materials containing asbestos are damaged or start to deteriorate, such as insulation or pipe coverings, they release asbestos fibers into the surrounding area. These fibers are very thin, light, and sharp. If inhaled, they can embed in the lungs and gradually begin forming mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma from inhaling asbestos is the most common form of this cancer, and peritoneal mesothelioma can develop in the abdomen if asbestos fibers are ingested.

About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed nationwide each year. While asbestos use has been reduced dramatically across the country, new cases continue to appear due to asbestos exposure that happened many years ago. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and just one incident of exposure can potentially cause mesothelioma.

After someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, their life expectancy depends on the stage of the cancer at the time of detection. Localized mesothelioma has an average five-year survival rate of about 23%. However, this rate drops to just 11% once the disease has spread to distant regions of the body.

Determining the source of your exposure is crucial to your mesothelioma case in Cleveland. You have a short time to build this case, and it may require extensive investigation of various records and other evidence to accurately pinpoint the source of your exposure and identify the defendant responsible.

Building Your Mesothelioma Case in Cleveland

An experienced Cleveland mesothelioma lawyer is the ideal resource for helping you determine the most likely source of your exposure. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has years of experience helping clients pursue claims against employers, asbestos product manufacturers, distributors, property owners, and many other defendants. You can trust us to accurately determine the source of your exposure and pursue compensation from the appropriate party.

Many US companies that previously manufactured asbestos-containing products and managed asbestos-related operations were required to establish injury trusts to compensate those affected by their products and operations. You may qualify to file a claim with one of these trusts, and your Cleveland mesothelioma attorney can guide you through the filing process.

In the event you are diagnosed with mesothelioma and you believe your asbestos exposure happened at your current job, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim for this work-related illness. However, workers’ compensation benefits are limited and may only cover medical expenses and a portion of your lost income. If this is applicable to your situation, your attorney can help you secure a fair determination of benefits.

Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma in Cleveland have grounds to file personal injury claims for toxic exposure. If you can prove that a specific party is directly responsible for your diagnosis with mesothelioma, a Cleveland mesothelioma lawyer can help you claim compensation for any related economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages in a mesothelioma personal injury case can include all medical expenses related to your diagnosis. This not only includes immediate treatment costs, but also future expenses for palliative care. You also have the right to claim compensation for income lost due to your diagnosis. If you hadn’t developed mesothelioma and would have been able to continue working, your attorney may help you recover compensation for this lost earning potential.

In addition to your economic damages, you also have the right to seek compensation for pain and suffering. Mesothelioma not only causes painful symptoms, but also treatment can be very difficult and uncomfortable. Additionally, receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis is psychologically traumatic. You need a Cleveland mesothelioma lawyer to help you secure appropriate compensation for the pain and suffering you have experienced.

In some cases, plaintiffs can also receive punitive damages at the court’s discretion. When a defendant’s behavior has exceeded the definition of typical negligence, or if they engaged in any illegal misconduct to conceal an asbestos risk, the court may order them to pay punitive damages alongside your other claimed damages. Your attorney can advise you if this is likely to come into play in your case.

How Your Cleveland Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help

Mesothelioma cases in Cleveland are inherently challenging in several ways. Not only is it difficult to accurately determine the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that caused mesothelioma, but these cases also entail substantial damages that can be difficult to calculate without an attorney’s help.

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you can rest assured that our team will do everything we can to streamline your proceedings, uncover the full extent of your claimable damages, and resolve your case as efficiently as possible. Our goal in every mesothelioma case we accept is to help our client achieve a favorable result and secure as much compensation as possible.

Once you hire our team, we will begin investigating your case. We will review employment records and other documentation, cross-referencing what we find with known records of asbestos risks in the Cleveland area to help you identify the source of your exposure. We will determine your most viable legal options for claiming compensation and then guide you through your proceedings with unwavering support.

When you have grounds to file a personal injury case for toxic exposure, your case may require litigation. At Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we are seasoned trial attorneys and prepare every case we accept for litigation. We can help you negotiate a settlement if possible, and many defendants in mesothelioma cases are eager to resolve them as quickly and quietly as possible. However, this is not always a viable resolution, and we will be ready to represent you in court if required.

If you have any concerns about the cost of hiring a Cleveland mesothelioma attorney, the team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC accepts most cases on a contingency fee basis. Under a contingency fee agreement, there is no cost to you if we are unable to secure compensation for your damages for any reason. If we succeed with your case, the contingency fee is a percentage of the total recovery.

Ultimately, receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is a tragic experience for any family. You’re likely to have many difficult questions that only a Cleveland mesothelioma attorney can answer, and you have a limited time to build and file your case. The sooner you hire a mesothelioma lawyer, the more time and flexibility your lawyer has to build an effective case on your behalf. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC is ready to answer your questions and represent you in your pursuit of accountability. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Cleveland mesothelioma lawyer. We look forward to providing guidance and support through every step of your proceedings.