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A Bethlehem mesothelioma lawyer can help you and your family understand your legal options after receiving a devastating diagnosis. The steel industry, heavy industry, and construction projects were once prevalent sources of employment in Bethlehem, and asbestos-containing products were commonly used on job sites for years. Reviewing your legal rights can help you preserve your right to compensation.
Call US 216-575-0777
At Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we’ve helped individuals harmed by asbestos exposure and other serious injuries for close to 30 years. We’ve worked with over 40,000 clients across the country and understand how to handle complex litigation against manufacturers and other large corporations.
Our attorneys know how to investigate mesothelioma claims, whether that means tracking down asbestos products or finding compensation through legal claims and asbestos bankruptcy trusts.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testes. It is almost always caused by asbestos fibers. Asbestos exposure can take place in a number of settings, but mesothelioma may not become apparent for 20 to 50 years.
Bethlehem was once home to steel manufacturing, various heavy industry facilities, power plants, and major commercial construction projects. Asbestos was used as insulation for pipes, boiler components, and other construction materials before its use was restricted. People employed in these industrial settings or along the Route 22 and I-78 corridors could have faced asbestos exposure while they were constructing, renovating, or dismantling projects.
Individuals who frequent Route 22 may have worked at the former Bethlehem Steel facility or other smaller industrial sites. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023, there were 2,709 new mesothelioma cases across the United States. In Indiana specifically, 55 new cases were reported, equaling a rate of 0.7 per 100,000.
In most cases, mesothelioma can be traced to asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and, when disturbed, can become loose and inhaled or ingested. The fibers can then attach to the lining of the lungs or abdomen and become embedded in the tissue. Over time, inflammation and cellular damage occur that can lead to the development of cancer. In Bethlehem, workers were most commonly exposed to asbestos in the following industries:
Pinpointing the exact site of asbestos exposure typically involves a thorough review of your work history, union papers, military service details, and information about specific products. Workers can be exposed to asbestos in a variety of locations from multiple sources throughout their careers.
Today, asbestos removal and abatement in Pennsylvania are carefully regulated to protect employees. However, this wasn’t the case decades ago when many victims were exposed. The Pennsylvania Asbestos Occupations Accreditation and Certification Act is the law that outlines regulations for certification. It also provides safety standards for certain asbestos-related work activities.
Money recovered through a mesothelioma claim can help pay for some of the financial and personal losses related to an asbestos-related diagnosis. Possible sources of recovery may include payment for medical treatment, lost wages, lost earning capacity, travel expenses for medical care, and pain and suffering, among other facts specific to each case.
In some cases, victims may be able to recover compensation from asbestos bankruptcy trusts and file a claim against a company that is still in operation. Bereaved family members can pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their losses.
When you decide to hire a mesothelioma lawyer, you have access to the resources needed to uncover asbestos exposure that may have occurred decades ago. An attorney can help identify liable companies that manufactured or supplied products containing asbestos.
Your Bethlehem mesothelioma attorney can also determine if you are eligible to file a claim with an asbestos trust fund. Your lawyer can obtain your work and medical records, consult with professional witnesses, and see that your claim is filed in a timely manner. Some cases allow recovery from multiple sources, and your attorney can help determine if you are eligible to file a claim against more than one party.
The location of your legal case depends on specific facts in your case. If you live in Bethlehem, local cases may be held at the Northampton County Courthouse at 669 Washington Street, Easton, PA 18042.
There is no typical payout for mesothelioma claims. Every situation is different and depends on numerous factors, including the severity of your illness, medical bills, lost income, years of exposure, and responsible companies. Some claims are settled through asbestos trust funds, while others conclude with a settlement or verdict. Once an attorney reviews your asbestos-related cancer diagnosis, they can provide you with an estimate of potential compensation.
The statute of limitations for most asbestos personal injury claims in Pennsylvania is generally two years. This means you have two years from the date you discover you were injured to file your claim, although this varies in mesothelioma cases. In many cases, the injury is discovered on the diagnosis date, as it can take decades for symptoms to appear. If you wait too long to file your claim, you could lose your right to recover compensation.
You do not need a specific amount of exposure to asbestos to develop mesothelioma. While the risk of developing this cancer increases with multiple or lengthy exposures to asbestos, some victims only had a brief exposure before experiencing mesothelioma symptoms and being diagnosed. Also, keep in mind that mesothelioma typically takes anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop after inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers.
Anyone who is diagnosed with mesothelioma and exposed to asbestos may be able to seek compensation through a legal claim, asbestos trust fund, workers’ comp or veterans’ benefits, depending on their individual situation. Some surviving family members may also be able to file a wrongful death claim if their loved one died from mesothelioma.
Being diagnosed with mesothelioma can be devastating. If you were exposed to asbestos and were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Kelley Ferraro, LLC, for a consultation.
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