Auto Plant Workers Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma may not be a very common form of cancer, but it is incurable and terminal. Across the US, workers in various industries were exposed to asbestos before the health risks were known, including many auto plant workers. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and used to work in an auto plant, you need to consult an auto plant workers’ mesothelioma lawyer at your first opportunity.

Representing Auto Plant Workers in Mesothelioma Cases Nationwide

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can help an auto plant worker explore their legal options after they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of this disease, so if you or a family member is diagnosed, it’s important to hire a mesothelioma lawyer with proven experience handling cases like yours.

We have nearly 30 years of experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide, and our team has successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients. We take time to learn as much as possible about each client, addressing their unique needs and concerns and providing detailed guidance through every step of their legal proceedings. We are confident we can help you achieve a favorable outcome, but you have limited time to build your case.

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we can help you determine the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that caused your mesothelioma. Auto plant workers have historically faced several risks of asbestos exposure while performing their job duties in workplaces across the US:

• Many automotive components, such as brake pads, drums, clutch facings, gaskets, and heat shielding components, have been manufactured with asbestos in previous years.
• Workers who must grind, cut, or sand any of these parts are likely exposed to asbestos particles.
• Many workplaces in the automotive industry, such as maintenance garages, manufacturing plants, and repair shops, contain asbestos.

One of the biggest challenges in a mesothelioma case is determining the most likely source of their exposure. Mesothelioma has a very long latency period and can take decades to show noticeable symptoms. You may have been exposed at a previous job many years ago, so it can be difficult to determine when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma.

Understanding Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. For decades across the US, asbestos was widely used in many ways for its insulating and fireproofing properties. Many companies manufactured asbestos-containing materials, exposing their workers to this hazard. Other workers, including those in the automotive industry, used asbestos-containing products as part of their job duties.

When any asbestos-containing material is damaged or deteriorates, this can release asbestos particles into the surrounding environment. These particles are very small, sharp, and light, allowing them to remain suspended in the air in interior spaces for long periods. When they enter the body, they can become embedded and gradually develop into mesothelioma.

The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lungs when asbestos particles are inhaled. Peritoneal mesothelioma can develop in the abdomen when asbestos is ingested. Not only have auto plant workers been at risk of exposure, but many have carried asbestos particles home on their clothes, creating a secondary exposure risk for their families.

Only about 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the US each year. While the health risks of asbestos exposure are better understood today, and asbestos use has declined dramatically over the past few decades, new cases of mesothelioma continue to appear because of asbestos exposure that happened many years ago. Mesothelioma is incurable, and treatment can only slow the spread of the disease, manage symptoms, and maintain quality of life.

The early symptoms of mesothelioma are often mistaken for other, less serious conditions. This can, unfortunately, delay appropriate treatment in some cases. Additionally, by the time symptoms appear, the disease has likely reached an advanced stage. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important to consult an experienced auto plant mesothelioma attorney at your first opportunity so they can determine your most viable legal options.

Building Your Mesothelioma Case

Once the health risks of asbestos were better understood, there were significant efforts across the US to eliminate as much asbestos use as possible, remove asbestos-containing materials from residential and commercial buildings, and protect workers from exposure in high-risk industries. Many companies that formerly manufactured asbestos-containing materials were compelled to establish mesothelioma injury trusts to compensate those adversely affected by these products.

Your auto plant mesothelioma attorney can help you determine whether you are eligible to file a claim to one of these trusts. If so, you may be eligible to claim compensation, and your attorney can guide you through the filing process. The compensation you receive may be limited, and it is unlikely to fully cover all related damages, but it is still worth exploring this option if it is available to you.

In the event you were exposed to asbestos at your current job in an auto plant, workers’ compensation benefits could cover medical expenses and some of your lost income. Most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance and facilitate claims for workers who are injured or become ill while performing their job duties. Benefits are limited, but again, it is worth exploring if this is an option for you.

If a specific party is directly responsible for your asbestos exposure, then you likely have grounds to file a personal injury claim for toxic exposure. Success with a personal injury case typically requires proving that the defendant is directly responsible for causing your claimed damages. A plaintiff in an auto plant mesothelioma case may be eligible to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Claiming Compensation for Auto Plant Worker Mesothelioma

A claim to a mesothelioma injury trust could provide helpful compensation, and you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, a personal injury case for toxic exposure is likely to yield the most compensation, and it’s vital to hire a mesothelioma lawyer who has proven experience handling these cases to increase your chances of success.

Building your personal injury case requires proving when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos. Once your attorney has identified the defendant responsible for your condition, they can help you calculate the damages you are eligible to claim. In most mesothelioma personal injury cases, economic damages include medical expenses and lost wages.

You have the right to claim compensation for all medical expenses related to your diagnosis. The average five-year survival rate for mesothelioma is only 23% for localized mesothelioma and only 11% when it has spread to distant parts of the body. Treatment can be very expensive, and will typically focus on managing symptoms, slowing the disease’s spread, and maintaining quality of life as much as possible. Eventually, the patient will need palliative care.

Most mesothelioma cases appear later in life, often after retirement. However, if you were diagnosed with mesothelioma and could have continued working, you may be eligible to claim compensation for this lost earning potential. Your auto plant mesothelioma attorney can also determine whether you are eligible to claim compensation for any other economic losses related to your condition.

Aside from economic damages, a personal injury plaintiff can also claim compensation for their pain and suffering. Mesothelioma causes painful symptoms, and treatment also entails various challenges. Side effects of cancer treatment can be debilitating, and the psychological shock of receiving a terminal diagnosis is difficult for anyone to accept. Your attorney can help you determine an appropriate amount of pain and suffering compensation to seek with your claim.

In some cases, defendants are also required to pay punitive damages. When the facts show that a defendant violated industry regulations, intentionally concealed known asbestos exposure risks, or was egregiously negligent in any way that contributed to the plaintiff’s diagnosis, the defendant could be forced to pay punitive damages, and they could also be fined and face other penalties. Your attorney can advise you as to how such details may influence your recovery.

Find Your Auto Plant Workers Mesothelioma Lawyer Today

Time is a crucial factor in any mesothelioma case. If you or a loved one is an auto plant worker diagnosed with this condition, it is crucial to hire a mesothelioma lawyer at your first opportunity. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has extensive experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide, and we are ready to provide comprehensive support through every stage of your case.

If you are concerned about attorneys’ fees, we take most of these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there is no upfront cost to hire our firm, and no cost to you at all if we are unable to secure compensation for you. When we succeed with your case, the contingency fee is a percentage of the total recovery. This policy makes legal counsel accessible to those who need it most. The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC are ready to help with every step of your mesothelioma case. We have successfully helped many auto plant workers pursue accountability and compensation for their damages, and we are ready to represent you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an auto plant mesothelioma attorney and learn how we can assist you.