Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is a terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure, and over the past several decades, thousands of people throughout Illinois have been exposed to this substance. If you or a family member is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is crucial that you speak with an experienced Illinois mesothelioma lawyer at your first opportunity. The right attorney can help you prove liability for your condition and claim compensation for your damages.

Representing Mesothelioma Cases in Illinois

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have almost 30 years of experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide. We have successfully resolved more than 40,000 of these cases and have recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients. Many attorneys do not accept mesothelioma cases due to their complexity and the volume of work they require, so we’re confident we can provide unmatched representation for a mesothelioma case in Illinois.

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you will have a dedicated legal advocate ready to help you with every stage of your case. We will investigate your work history and other records, cross-referencing with known asbestos exposure risks throughout Illinois to determine the most likely source of your exposure. Once we determine the most likely source, this will inform us of your legal options.

Whether you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, this is life-changing news for any family. You’re likely to have many difficult legal questions that only a skilled attorney can answer. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC is ready to assist you, but it’s vital that you contact our firm as soon as possible. You have limited time to gather evidence and file your case, so it’s important to secure legal counsel you can trust right away.

Understanding Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

Throughout the US, asbestos was used in various applications for many years because of its insulating and fireproofing properties. Mining operations, construction, manufacturing, pipefitting, and steelwork are just a few of the highest-risk industries. Many were exposed to asbestos on the job, worked in buildings constructed with asbestos-containing materials, and some lived in homes containing asbestos.

Asbestos fibers are thin, sharp, and very small. When they are released into the air, they are light enough to remain suspended for long periods.  If these fibers enter the body, they can become embedded in various tissues, most commonly in the pleura of the lungs, and they will gradually cause mesothelioma to develop over time. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure; just once is enough for someone to develop mesothelioma.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of this cancer, resulting from fibers entering the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the abdominal organs after asbestos fibers are ingested. People who work with or near asbestos may not only be exposed regularly, but they could also bring fibers home on their skin and clothing, potentially affecting their family members. Over time, this repeated exposure can cause mesothelioma.

While the cause of mesothelioma is widely known, one of the most challenging aspects of this disease is its very long latency period. It often takes decades after asbestos exposure for noticeable symptoms of mesothelioma to appear. Only about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed throughout the US each year, and the health risks of asbestos exposure are now widely understood, but new cases continue appearing because of exposure that happened decades ago.

The early symptoms of mesothelioma typically mimic those of other, less serious illnesses, and this can sometimes delay treatment. Once someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment will focus on managing their symptoms, maintaining their quality of life, and preserving life expectancy as much as possible. However, mesothelioma is inevitably a terminal and incurable cancer.

The average five-year survival rate is only 23% for localized mesothelioma that has not spread. Once it has spread to distant parts of the body, the average five-year survival rate is only 11%. Mesothelioma treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. Many patients also receive additional therapy to manage symptoms, but eventually will need to transition to palliative care.

Determining Your Legal Options for Your Mesothelioma Case in Illinois

You may have multiple options for claiming compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis. After your Illinois mesothelioma attorney has helped you determine the most likely source of your asbestos exposure, this will dictate your options. Many US companies have been required to establish mesothelioma injury trusts to compensate those affected by their asbestos products, and you may qualify to file a claim to one of these trusts.

If you were exposed to asbestos at your current job, you may be able to claim compensation from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance can apply to work-related illness or injury, and most regular workers are covered. However, this coverage is limited and may only compensate you for specific medical expenses and a portion of your lost income. However, this is still worth exploring if applicable to your situation.

When a specific party is directly responsible for your mesothelioma diagnosis, this can form grounds for a personal injury case. Success with any personal injury case in Illinois hinges on the plaintiff’s ability to prove that a defendant is directly responsible for causing their claimed damages. Your Illinois mesothelioma lawyer can gather the evidence needed to establish liability and then accurately calculate the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim.

Claiming Compensation for Mesothelioma

When you are eligible to file a mesothelioma personal injury case, your attorney can help you calculate all of the damages you could recover from the defendant. Economic damages in these cases often include medical expenses and lost income. You can seek compensation for the cost of all the medical treatment you will need for this diagnosis. Many mesothelioma diagnoses occur later in life, but if your diagnosis forces you to quit work, you can claim lost earning capacity.

Aside from economic damages, a plaintiff also has the right to seek compensation for their pain and suffering. Receiving any terminal diagnosis comes with a dramatic psychological shock, and mesothelioma causes painful and debilitating symptoms. Your Illinois mesothelioma attorney can determine a suitable amount of compensation to claim from the defendant that reflects the severity of the pain and suffering you have experienced.

In some of these cases, defendants are required to pay punitive damages. The court may order this if the facts show that the defendant was egregiously negligent, willfully neglected asbestos safety regulations, or acted illegally in any way that contributed to your diagnosis. Your attorney can explain how any such factors could influence your case.

Even if your case seems straightforward and you believe you have a firm grasp of the damages you are eligible to claim, the reality is that any mesothelioma case is likely to be far more challenging than it initially appears. It’s crucial to hire an attorney who has proven experience with cases like yours, and the team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC is ready to assist you through this challenging situation.

What to Expect From Your Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyer

The right attorney can have a tremendous positive influence on the outcome of your mesothelioma case in Illinois. At Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we take time to learn as much as possible about each client’s unique situation. We’ll help you determine the most likely source of your asbestos exposure and identify the party or parties most likely liable for your diagnosis.

We can help you file a claim with a mesothelioma injury trust if you are eligible. We can also assist you with filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if you were exposed to asbestos at your job. If you have grounds to file a mesothelioma personal injury case, you can trust our team to pursue as much compensation as state law allows for your economic and non-economic damages.

We can also provide compassionate legal counsel when a family member has died from mesothelioma, assisting you with a wrongful death case. We will explain how you can hold a defendant accountable for your loved one’s death from asbestos exposure and assist you with resolving this case as efficiently as possible.

In every case we accept, we prepare for litigation. We are trial attorneys and will be ready to represent you in the courtroom if necessary. We prepare every case for litigation for this reason, and this also strengthens our client’s negotiating position. We are confident that we can help you fully explore every avenue of recovery that’s available to you.

If you are concerned about paying for legal counsel, we accept most of these cases on a contingency basis. This means there is no upfront cost to hire our firm, and we charge a fee only if we succeed in securing compensation for you. There is no cost to you if we are unable to recover compensation, so this billing policy provides peace of mind during a very difficult time.

The first steps you take after a mesothelioma diagnosis in Illinois are crucial. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC is ready to leverage our skills, resources, and experience in helping you pursue accountability and compensation for your damages. You have a limited time to build this case, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced Illinois mesothelioma lawyer you can trust.