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Asbestos was used throughout the US for many years in various applications, primarily for its fireproofing and insulating properties. However, it was discovered that asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, an aggressive and incurable cancer. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Oklahoma, you may have grounds for legal action, and it is crucial to speak with an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible about your options.
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The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have successfully helped more than 40,000 clients nationwide with asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cases, including many in Oklahoma. Whether you worked as a plumber, construction worker, electrician, or automotive worker, or simply worked in a power plant, factory, or other building containing asbestos, we can help you trace the source of your exposure and help you understand your legal options.
Our firm accepts mesothelioma cases that many other attorneys do not. These are inherently difficult cases that typically require extensive research and careful review of many years’ worth of records. Mesothelioma often takes decades after exposure to asbestos for noticeable symptoms to appear, and this is considered a terminal diagnosis. You have little time to hire a mesothelioma lawyer and explore your legal options after receiving this life-changing news.
The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. For many years throughout the US, asbestos was widely used in many ways due to its insulating and fireproofing properties. It has been used to manufacture insulation, pipe coverings, gaskets, heat sinks, automotive parts, boiler components, furnaces, and many other products, and many people manufactured and used these products for years until the health risks became apparent.
Over the past several decades, asbestos use has declined significantly in the US, and current use is heavily regulated. However, there are still about 3,000 new mesothelioma diagnoses nationwide each year because of exposure that happened many years ago. It often takes decades for symptoms to appear, and in many cases, the mesothelioma has reached an advanced stage by this point.
The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs. When asbestos particles are released into an enclosed space, they are light enough to remain suspended in the air for long periods, where they could be inhaled. Once they enter the lungs, they can gradually develop into pleural mesothelioma. It is also possible for peritoneal mesothelioma to form in the abdomen or for pericardial mesothelioma to form around the heart.
If you have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Oklahoma, it’s crucial to speak with an experienced Oklahoma mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to determine your most viable legal options. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has the skills and experience required to help you navigate the various legal proceedings you could face following your diagnosis:
Most employers in Oklahoma have workers’ compensation insurance that can provide valuable benefits to workers who suffer injuries at work or develop occupational illnesses. If you can prove that you were exposed to asbestos at your current job, you may qualify to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. However, the total compensation you receive will be relatively limited.
Workers’ compensation in Oklahoma can provide medical expense coverage for the work-related condition and disability benefits for the time the victim is unable to work because of their condition. If you are unable to continue working because of your diagnosis, you could qualify to receive permanent disability benefits through your employer’s insurance carrier.
Most mesothelioma diagnoses occur late in life, often after retirement, but if you qualify to claim workers’ compensation benefits, your Oklahoma mesothelioma attorney can guide you through the filing process and resolve any issues you encounter. Most employers in Oklahoma facilitate their employees’ claims, but there is always a chance for you to encounter problems with your employer and/or their insurance carrier.
Many companies that formerly manufactured asbestos products were required to create mesothelioma trust funds to avoid litigation. Today, there are dozens of these trust funds still active in the US with billions in compensation that can be paid out to eligible claimants. Your Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer may determine that you are eligible to file a claim to one of these trust funds based on how, where, and when you were exposed to asbestos.
Most of these trust funds pay claims in percentages, preserving as much as they can for future claimants. The amount you can receive typically depends on your diagnosis and whether you choose to file an expedited claim or an individual claim. Expedited claims are much faster, but usually result in smaller structured settlements. An individual claim takes longer to process but can provide greater compensation.
Your Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer can confirm your eligibility to file a claim to one of these trust funds by tracing your asbestos exposure back to a company that was required to create one of these trusts. These cases often require careful review of decades’ worth of records and evidence, so experienced legal counsel is crucial to have on your side to succeed with your claim.
When your Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer determines that a former employer, product manufacturer, property owner, or other party is directly responsible for your mesothelioma diagnosis because of negligence, misconduct, or regulatory noncompliance, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim for toxic exposure.
Success with a personal injury claim for mesothelioma will require clear evidence that the defendant is directly responsible for the asbestos exposure that led to your diagnosis. An experienced Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer is an essential asset for this case, and they can accurately calculate the medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering compensation you are eligible to claim.
Kelley Ferraro, LLC can also provide compassionate wrongful death counsel if you have lost a loved one to mesothelioma. We may be able to prove that a specific party is directly liable for the asbestos exposure that caused their death, and you can expect responsive and results-driven representation from our team throughout all of these difficult proceedings.
Ultimately, receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is extremely difficult for any family in Oklahoma. The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for clients nationwide in asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cases, and we are ready to apply this experience to your case. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn more about our legal services and how we can assist you with your legal proceedings.
There is no specific amount of asbestos exposure that will cause mesothelioma, nor is there any “safe” level of exposure. If you are exposed to asbestos once, this does not guarantee that you will develop mesothelioma, but it is possible for a single exposure to be enough to cause mesothelioma. The frequency and intensity of exposure increase the risk of mesothelioma, as would a genetic predisposition to developing cancer.
No, mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable cancer, and it is considered to be a terminal diagnosis. For pleural mesothelioma, the average five-year relative survival rate at the localized stage is 23%, and only 11% if it has spread outside of the chest cavity. Treatment can slow progression and mitigate symptoms, but there is no known cure for mesothelioma.
The value of a mesothelioma case in Oklahoma varies from case to case, but you may have grounds to claim compensation for all medical expenses related to your diagnosis, any income you have been unable to earn because of it, and compensation for the pain and suffering you have experienced. Your Oklahoma mesothelioma attorney can estimate the total value of your case.
The time it takes to settle a mesothelioma case depends on the type of claim you are filing, the scope of compensation you are seeking, and whether you hire a mesothelioma lawyer to represent you. Filing a claim with a mesothelioma trust fund is generally faster than filing a personal injury case but may not yield the same level of compensation. Having skilled legal counsel on your side increases your chances of resolving your case efficiently.
You should hire a mesothelioma lawyer because these are inherently challenging cases in several ways. An experienced attorney is a tremendous asset to have on your side, and you are more likely to reach a favorable outcome in your case with their assistance. Your attorney can not only determine your most viable legal options, but also resolve any unexpected complications you encounter as your case unfolds.
The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have years of proven experience handling mesothelioma cases for clients across the United States, and we can provide the compassionate legal support you need in Oklahoma after receiving this life-changing diagnosis. There is no cost to speak with our team about your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer.
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