Indiana Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is not one of the most common forms of cancer, but it is a terminal diagnosis. If you or a family member was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, you’re likely to have many legal questions about your situation. Mesothelioma’s only known cause is asbestos exposure, and you may have grounds for legal action against whoever is responsible for your exposure. An Indiana mesothelioma lawyer is an invaluable resource for your case.

Representing Mesothelioma Claims in Indiana

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have nearly 30 years of experience representing clients nationwide in mesothelioma cases. Receiving this diagnosis is devastating, and you are likely to have many questions about managing medical expenses and the inability to work. You may also wonder about the cause of this condition, and an Indiana mesothelioma lawyer can help you understand your options.

Our team of trial attorneys has successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients. We have helped many individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma claim benefits from workers’ compensation insurance, file claims with mesothelioma injury trusts, and pursue personal injury claims for toxic exposure against employers, product manufacturers, distributors, property owners, and many other defendants.

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you have a dedicated legal representative ready to address your concerns, answer your questions, and guide you through each step of your case. Mesothelioma cases are inherently difficult for several reasons, including the volume of research they often require. We are confident we possess the skills, professional resources, and experience to provide unmatched representation for your case.

Understanding Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. For many years in Indiana and throughout the US, asbestos was widely used in construction projects for its insulating and fireproofing properties. It was also found in many other products containing talcum powder. Naturally occurring talc is commonly contaminated with asbestos, and these particles can make their way into finished talc-containing products.

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and mesothelioma has a very long latency period before symptoms appear. Just one exposure is enough to eventually cause mesothelioma. When asbestos particles enter the body, usually through the lungs, they can become embedded and, over time, cause mesothelioma. Asbestos particles are very light, thin, and sharp, and when released into the air, they can remain suspended for long periods.

There are about 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the US each year. One of the most challenging aspects of this form of cancer is the fact that by the time symptoms appear noticeably, the disease will have already reached a critical stage. Additionally, the earliest symptoms are often mistaken for other, less serious conditions, and this can delay the patient’s treatment while allowing the cancer to spread.

The five-year survival rate for mesothelioma generally hinges on when the disease is identified. Localized mesothelioma has a 23% five-year survival rate, and this drops to 11% when it has spread to distant regions of the body. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which starts in the lungs, and peritoneal mesothelioma can develop in the abdomen if asbestos particles are ingested.

Mesothelioma is an incurable and terminal cancer. Once it is identified, treatment will usually focus on managing symptoms, slowing the cancer’s spread if possible, and maintaining the patient’s quality of life for the time they have remaining. This is very difficult news for any family, and treatment is both expensive and challenging. An Indiana mesothelioma lawyer can help you pinpoint the most likely source of your exposure and explain your legal options.

Building Your Mesothelioma Case in Indiana

When you or a family member is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it can be very difficult to determine when, where, and how you were exposed. Your exposure may have happened many years ago at a previous job. Construction, steel manufacturing, stonework, pipefitting, and many other occupations have historically had significant asbestos exposure risks.

An Indiana mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can assist you with determining the most likely source of your condition. We can review employment records in Indiana, cross-referencing them with known companies and locations identified as asbestos exposure risks. Once we help you determine the most likely source of your exposure, it will inform your legal options.

Many companies across the US were required to establish mesothelioma injury trusts due to the health hazards posed by their products and operations. Each year in the US, these trusts continue to disburse compensation to those who have developed mesothelioma because of past asbestos exposure. Your Indiana mesothelioma attorney can determine whether you qualify to file a claim to such a trust and, if so, guide you through the filing process.

In the event you are diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure at your current job, you may qualify to file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer. This insurance can cover any work-related illness or injury, but it is limited in the compensation it can provide. Your mesothelioma lawyer can help you file your claim and resolve any unexpected issues you encounter with your employer and/or their insurance company.

Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible to file personal injury claims for toxic exposure. If you can prove that a specific party’s negligence caused your mesothelioma, an Indiana mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can help you file a personal injury case against them. You will need to prove the defendant is responsible for your diagnosis and show the full scope of the resulting economic and non-economic damages you suffered.

Recovering Compensation for Mesothelioma in Indiana

An experienced Indiana mesothelioma lawyer can determine the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim from the defendant responsible for your condition. In a personal injury case for toxic exposure, it’s possible for the plaintiff to seek compensation for all economic losses related to the defendant’s negligence or misconduct.

Economic damages in your mesothelioma case could include all medical expenses, including the future cost of palliative care, lost wages, and your lost earning capacity if you are unable to return to work in the future. It is also possible to recover other out-of-pocket expenses, and in some cases, plaintiffs can recover their legal expenses from defendants. Your attorney can accurately calculate your economic damages and prove that the defendant is liable for them.

In addition to these economic losses, you have the right to seek pain and suffering compensation with a personal injury case. Mesothelioma not only causes significant physical symptoms, but it is also psychologically damaging for anyone to receive a terminal cancer diagnosis. Your Indiana mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine a suitable amount of pain and suffering compensation to claim from the defendant.

Some plaintiffs will receive punitive damages at the court’s discretion. These damages come into play when a defendant’s behavior has exceeded the scope of typical negligence. For example, if an employer concealed a known asbestos exposure risk from their employees or failed to follow applicable safety regulations that contributed to the plaintiff’s condition, this could be grounds for punitive damages. Your attorney can explain any such variables present in your case.

What to Expect From Your Indiana Mesothelioma Lawyer

After you or a family member is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is crucial that you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at your first opportunity. You have a short time in which to gather evidence to prove fault, and these cases often require handling a tremendous volume of research. Many attorneys do not accept mesothelioma cases due to the amount of work they require, but the team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC excels at handling these cases, and we have had nationwide success.

Our team will carefully review the details of your condition, helping you determine the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that caused your mesothelioma. We will determine whether you are eligible to file a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust or if you have grounds to file a personal injury claim for toxic exposure.

Some personal injury cases are resolved outside of court in settlement negotiations. When a defendant is clearly liable for a patient’s damages, they may wish to resolve their case as quickly and as quietly as possible. Settlement offers both parties the chance to save time and money compared to what they might expect to spend in litigation. However, in heavily disputed cases, litigation may be unavoidable.

At Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we are trial attorneys, so we prepare every case we accept for litigation. This not only strengthens our negotiating position in settlement attempts, but also shows we are fully prepared to represent you in the courtroom as your case requires. You can trust our team to negotiate a settlement on your behalf, if possible, and you can rely on our team for unwavering support through all litigation your case may require.

If you are concerned about the potential cost of hiring a mesothelioma lawyer in Indiana, our firm accepts most of these cases on a contingency basis. With a contingency fee agreement, the client pays nothing if we are unable to obtain compensation on their behalf. After a successful case, the contingency fee is only a percentage of the total amount recovered from the defendant. This policy makes legal representation more accessible to those who need it most. Ultimately, facing a mesothelioma diagnosis is extremely difficult for any family in Indiana. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC will handle your case with diligence, responsive communication, and unwavering focus on your individual needs and concerns. It’s crucial to start building your mesothelioma case as soon as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Indiana mesothelioma lawyer.