Buffalo Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is a terminal form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, a material that was widely used in the US for many years before the health risks were known. In Buffalo, companies like Buffalo Color, GM Foundry, and Tonawanda Coke are just a few examples of workplaces historically linked to asbestos exposure. If you or a family member is diagnosed with mesothelioma, you need to speak with a Buffalo mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.

Representing Mesothelioma Claims in Buffalo, NY

The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has almost 30 years of experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide. Many attorneys do not accept these cases due to their inherent complexity and the volume of work they require, but we are confident we can provide unmatched legal counsel if you believe a former employer, product manufacturer, distributor, or other party is responsible for the asbestos exposure that caused your mesothelioma.

When you choose our team to represent you, we will carefully review the details of your situation and determine your most viable legal strategies for resolving your case. We may need to review years, or even decades, of employment records and other evidence to narrow down the most likely sources of your asbestos exposure. Once we determine the most likely case, we can explain your options for pursuing accountability and compensation.

Time is a crucial factor in any mesothelioma case. You have a short time to build and file your claim, and having the right attorney on your side will be a tremendous asset when it comes to recovering compensation. You could also have multiple options for claiming compensation for a mesothelioma diagnosis, some of which will be more complicated than others. When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer to manage your case, you are more likely to achieve a favorable result.

Understanding Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Throughout the US, asbestos was widely used in many construction applications for its insulating and fireproofing properties. Over time, many people in various industries began experiencing adverse reactions, and the risks of asbestos became apparent. When asbestos particles enter the body, they can gradually lead to the development of mesothelioma, sometimes taking decades to cause noticeable symptoms.

There is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure. Just one exposure is enough for a person to eventually develop mesothelioma, and repeated exposures will greatly increase this risk as well as the rate of the disease’s progression. When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or begin deteriorating, they can release very small, light, and sharp asbestos fibers into the air, where they can be inhaled.

Mesothelioma is not a common form of cancer. Only about 3,000 new cases are identified in the US each year. However, new cases continue appearing due to the very long latency period of the disease. Additionally, once mesothelioma symptoms appear, they are sometimes mistaken for signs of less serious conditions, and by this time, the disease will have already reached a critical stage.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of this disease. This forms in the lungs when asbestos fibers are inhaled. Peritoneal mesothelioma forms in the abdomen when these fibers are ingested. Early signs of pleural mesothelioma can be confused with other conditions, such as pneumonia or upper respiratory infection, but they will rapidly worsen.

Mesothelioma is an incurable and terminal form of cancer. The patient’s life expectancy generally depends on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis, and treatment usually focuses on managing symptoms, slowing progression, and maintaining quality of life as much as possible. The average five-year survival rate for localized mesothelioma is about 23%, and this drops to 11% for mesothelioma that has spread to distant parts of the body.

Building Your Mesothelioma Case in Buffalo

One of the most challenging aspects of a mesothelioma case is the time it takes for the disease to cause noticeable symptoms. It’s possible for a person to have been exposed to asbestos several decades before symptoms appear, making it very difficult in some cases to identify the source of their exposure. You should hire a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after diagnosis for help determining the most likely cause of this condition.

Many US companies have been required to establish mesothelioma injury trusts. These trusts exist to compensate those who have been adversely affected by asbestos-containing products and operations in various industries over the years. Depending on how, where, and why you were exposed to asbestos, you may be eligible to file a claim to one of these trusts, and your Buffalo mesothelioma attorney can guide you through the filing process.

In the event you were exposed to asbestos while working at your current job, workers’ compensation insurance from your employer may provide some valuable benefits, covering medical treatment costs and issuing disability benefits for the time you are unable to work. However, workers’ compensation is limited in what it may provide, and you need an attorney’s help to negotiate a fair determination of benefits with your employer’s insurance carrier.

When a specific party is responsible for your asbestos exposure, this can form grounds for a personal injury claim for toxic exposure. If you can prove that a specific party’s negligence, misconduct, or failure to comply with applicable regulations caused your asbestos exposure, then you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against them. A skilled Buffalo mesothelioma lawyer can help you pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

If a family member has died from mesothelioma in Buffalo, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death case against the party responsible for their exposure. Asbestos Nation reports that in New York, there have been 15,205 asbestos-related deaths between 1999 and 2017, and 1,417 of these deaths occurred in Erie County. Kelley Ferraro, LLC can provide compassionate, results-driven legal representation for this difficult case.

Recovering Compensation for Mesothelioma

An experienced Buffalo mesothelioma lawyer will be an invaluable asset if you intend to file a claim against a mesothelioma injury trust. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has years of experience helping clients nationwide with these claims, and we can advise you of what you can expect. We can also assist you when you are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim, negotiating a fair determination of benefits with the insurance carrier.

If you have grounds to file a mesothelioma personal injury case, it’s possible to claim compensation for economic damages related to your diagnosis. In many of these cases, plaintiffs are eligible to seek compensation for all medical expenses related to their condition, including immediate treatment costs and anticipated future expenses, such as palliative care. The victim can also seek compensation for lost income and lost earning capacity.

In addition to economic damages, a plaintiff in a mesothelioma personal injury case can also claim compensation for pain and suffering. Mesothelioma causes painful symptoms, and treatment is difficult. Additionally, receiving any terminal diagnosis is a life-changing experience. It’s important to hire a mesothelioma lawyer who can help you secure as much compensation as possible for the physical and psychological suffering you have endured.

Some defendants found liable for asbestos exposure are required to pay punitive damages at the court’s discretion. If the defendant was egregiously negligent, failed to comply with applicable asbestos regulations, or concealed known health risks from employers, these actions could lead to severe penalties, including increased liability for compensating the victim. Your attorney can advise you of any such factors present in your case.

What to Expect From Your Buffalo Mesothelioma Lawyer

When you choose Kelley Ferraro, LLC to represent you in a mesothelioma case, you can expect responsive communication with our team through every step of your proceedings. We will carefully review the details of how you developed mesothelioma, identify the most likely sources of asbestos exposure, and explain your most viable legal options for claiming compensation.

We are trial attorneys, and we have successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for clients in mesothelioma and other asbestos-related claims nationwide. While some mesothelioma personal injury cases can be resolved through settlement negotiations, this is not always a viable option. You can trust us to guide you through settlement if possible, but we are confident we can represent you effectively in litigation if necessary.

If you are concerned about the cost of hiring an attorney, we accept most mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis. Under this billing arrangement, we only charge a fee when we secure compensation for our client, and the contingency fee is a percentage of the total recovery. There is no cost to you if we are unable to recover compensation on your behalf for any reason.

It is crucial to consult an experienced Buffalo mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma. It can take time to gather the evidence needed to prove liability for your diagnosis, and an individual diagnosed with mesothelioma may have little time left. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, is ready to help with every step of your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can assist you.